Nutrition during a workout

I went to the LBS this weekend and got some good advice on nutrition, too. I ended up taking home a couple of PowerBar Gels and Hammer Nutrition Gels to try and see how they work for the old stomach. They are out of Clif stuff now but will have it in the spring.

I also asked about Gatorade and he didn't recommend it. He said it can cause stomach cramping. So he threw in a sample of E-Load heat endurance to try. He said to play with how much I add to water and see what it does for me.

Oh and Motochick, now I'm craving beef jerky. That's a good idea though, I'm crazy for salt lately.

I stop once an hour for a stretch and a snack on a trainers advice (though this was advice to me, everyone is different, lol, but the jist is about an hour between snacks). I don't eat heavy cause my belly doesn't like it when I am working out in any form. Usually some kind of nutrition bar, I tend to look at the balance of carbs and protein in them. I like to make sure I'm getting in protein, cause it burns slower, so I feel more energy longer. And then I have my water with electrolytes in it, I go through about a bottle an hour of water. Sometimes I feel like more food, those days I carry bananas, apples and almonds with me.

I tried gel packs, personally didn't care for them, it's a texture thing, grosses me out, lol. But my husband loves them. I crack up when he uses them cause basically he's on a sugar high, and he's so funny.

Try things, see what tastes good to you, learn what your belly can handle while riding, and just see what works. It's often trial and error on what works for each person.

Thanks Cyclingmom! I'm going to try some real food like bananas and almonds. I think I'll also try some fig newtons and Clif Shot Blox when I can get my hands on some.

The gels are also hard for me to get down, I'm not sure if it's the taste or texture or both. I really felt a boost in energy but I think my heart rate was too high for my stomach to digest it properly. I felt like I had a brick in my stomach.

What do you use for electrolytes in your water? I wish I could just use something liquid on rides. I never really feel like eating, but I think you're right that I just need to experiment and find something that works for me.

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Originally Posted by firenze11

What do you use for electrolytes in your water? I wish I could just use something liquid on rides. I never really feel like eating, but I think you're right that I just need to experiment and find something that works for me.

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These days I have been using 2 scoops of Hammer Sustained Energy (carbs/calories) plus 2 - 3 scoops of Power Bar Endurance sports drink (electrolytes). I find I take liquid nutrition a lot better than food. When I do have food, it's generally real: bananas (generally dried), dates w/walnuts. It has to be a pretty relaxed, low intensity ride for me to eat much more than that. If the ride's high intensity then I will do hammer gel instead of the solid food at all.

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Originally Posted by firenze11

What do you use for electrolytes in your water?

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I use Nuun tablets. I find that I am MUCH happier when I drink a combo of plain water and electrolyte water (as opposed to traditional sports drinks).

I have never tried the more heavy duty liquid nutrition drinks. I use a combo of the plain water, eletrolyte water, payday bars, and CarbBoom gels. (These are the first gels that I both enjoy eating and can digest well.) Sometimes I can have a yogurt with a few almonds, if it is a low key ride, or if I am just 10 miles or so into a long ride, and still warming up.

I like gatorade, but I cut it half with water. On long rides, I like Gu, but mostly I take a banana with me and some dried apricots. I wish I liked peanut butter because it's a great cycling food (on a sandwich, of course).

Hey all,

Im training for a tri in June and I deifintiely get my fill of yogurt, fruits, veggies, etc . I also start my day with a quart of skim milk

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Originally Posted by tulip

I like gatorade, but I cut it half with water. On long rides, I like Gu, but mostly I take a banana with me and some dried apricots. I wish I liked peanut butter because it's a great cycling food (on a sandwich, of course).

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On the hydration front: I work for a marketing company promoting the new Snapple Antioxidant Waters. These things are pretty tasty- packed with antioxidants that help prevent tissue damage.

Check em out!

Like Starfish, I use Nunn as well for electrolytes. For fluids, I alternate 'lytes and water my whole ride. Don't eat huge gobs of food on ride, just carry Fig Newtons, peanuts and usually I'm not into those until after 3 hours.

Will leave some Clif bars and bananas in vehicle for my return. It really is so individual.

I have found that since I have cut down my overall sugar intake, I do not have the highs and lows I used to. Increasing my protein and fat to where it should be has evened my blood sugar out..it feels so much better.

I was looking online for recipes for bars to make for rides; my husband turned up some high-falutin' snooty super training geek who said to eat Pop-Tarts, and from that moment on, we've just been eating normal food that we like on rides. Mostly a variety of baked stuff--on the healthy side of the typical US diet, but not clear to the healthy end.

But we're only newly reformed middle-aged duffers. Anyone with serious training in mind might be better off with PopTarts!