Hydration & Nutrition safe to use while Pregnant?

[Divanis]

Hello all! Have been learning alot from your experiences so far, but I'm hoping to get more specific information from the moms out there. I am heartened to see how many gals have kept riding through pregnancies and i'm ready to join the ranks!

I am 2 months pregnant and continuing my training and riding as I am used to, but I am wondering about fuel for long rides. I usually use Hammer Heed and gels in addition to something solid like Luna Bars. My doctor has said no to Hammer heed and gel, citing the fact that they are not FDA approved.
I've written to Hammer about it, and they were very open in saying that they meet FDA requirements though they are not regulated, and have no data saying whether or not Hammer supplements are safe to use during pregnancy. They can only say which supplements they know for sure are not safe (and I don't use any of those).

Does anyone know of an electrolyte drink and an energy gel/bar/chew that is safe? Has anyone experience with working out a specific fueling plan for pregnancy? I do not wish to risk my baby's health, but I want to do my research before suffering through plain water and whole foods on long rides!
Thanks in advance!

[Crankin]

I would think Luna Bars and Shot Blocks would be OK. Of course, I'm no expert, but they are both kind of simple compared to other products.
What is your doctor exactly against in the Heed? Does he have any specific studies to cite that it's not safe? It's not like you are telling him you are taking EPO! Maybe he thinks Heed is something to "improve" performance? How much does he know about cycling?
I would consult a registered dietician. Maybe I am old fashioned, but considering the crap that most women eat, what you are asking doesn't seem so unreasonable.

[Owlie]

I would think Luna Bars and Shot Blocks would be OK.

If you're cutting out caffeine, the orange Shot Blocks are caffeinated. None of the rest of them are.

[indysteel]

I had the same question regarding your doc's familiarity with these products. I use Cytomax Sport, and don't see anything on the ingredient list that would give me pause. Same with Clif blocs and gels. Just be careful to avoid those with caffeine.

That said, you could make your own sport drink (do a search here for homemade sport drink). It's not that complicated, and you know for certain what's in it and what's not. Same thing with energy bars. Beyond that, is it really that big of a deal to carry whole foods? I don't eat much in the way of gels or bars, and I get by just fine!

[badgercat]

Beyond that, is it really that big of a deal to carry whole foods? I don't eat much in the way of gels or bars, and I get by just fine!

Everyone's tummies are different--I know for myself, solid food during on a ride can sometimes spell nausea if not instant stomach pain. (One time I almost couldn't go the last 10 miles home on a ride because my stomach hurt so much after eating a tiny portion of raisins during a water break. )

But anyway, back to the OP's question, I like Shot Bloks, but the pros/caveats about those have been pretty well covered by other posters I think.

Homemade sport drink, though... I might have to look into that! Sounds like it could be fun to put my own concoctions together...

[Tokie]

The July 2010 Consumer's Reports did an review of dietary protein supplements, and found more than one with unhealthy levels of heavy metals in them. this included my favorite recovery drink, Muscle Milk. (which is manufactured be the same company as cytomax). Might be a good time to stick with whole foods, not conglomerations. Tokie

[shootingstar]

What is the distance of the rides that you hope to do during the first trimester or so of your pregnancy? Guess if it's occasional, shouldn't be a big deal..?

I've never had any of the energy drinks, energy shots, etc. that this forum has discussed all along.

And I've been cycling on some long rides 50-100 kms. in a day in high humid heat. With hills/pannier weight on multiple wk. cycling tours. I just try to if there's choice, to eat whole foods or foods not too greasy/fatty. The latter is the hardest on me during a ride.

While you might have these energy drinks, etc. maybe less during pregnancy combined with some whole foods in small portions.

Best of luck. Great that you're exercising.

[OakLeaf]

I would also ask which ingredient/s your doctor has a problem with, so that you can avoid it if you use any other processed foods. But I can see wanting to avoid sugar alcohols and stevia during pregnancy.

I think that the real issue goes back a step, maybe? You don't say what level you're competing at, but I think most people's stomachs can handle real food on the bike until they get up around lactate threshold for extended periods of time. Maybe you just want to take a break from competition until after your baby's born? Unless you're at a high level of competition and being monitored by an OB with a lot of sports med experience, you probably don't want to sustain that level of exertion anyway. In which case your stomach should be able to handle either real food, or for convenience, processed foods such as LaraBars that are less refined.

JM (very inexperienced) O.

[Divanis]

Thanks all for some great suggestions! I may just try to crete my own sport drink and know for sure whats there!

To be more specific, I am continuing training 2 centuries that I do every year. I know that a combo of Heed, luna bars and gel works best to sustain me for the whole ride - but if I need to change I want to get used to it.
I have alot of trouble stomaching whole foods when I'm riding, which is why I tend not to take them. I am also experiementing though with making bite-sized fruit and nut bars with the food processor.

Unfortunately I think my doctor is unfamiliar with sports nutrition in general, and said no after only quickly looking at the package. Perhaps I will also try to speak with someone more knowlegeable in the field!

Thanks again!