Gatorade alternatives? Salt on a ride?

[snapdragen]

I'd never heard of salt shots until last weekend when my TNT team did a 12 mile training walk. Before we started, our coach handed out little salt packets, and had us all take half a packet. It is supposed to help your body stay hydrated. During the walk I ate approximately one bar and drank one bottle of electrolyte drink each hour. Did it help? I really don't know, but I finished the 12 miles feeling great, not hungry, not dehydrated. I've got my little salt packet for my 1/2 marathon next week.

I know of a long distance rider who carries fig newtons in a ziploc bag, he adds a bit of salt to the bag and shakes it up. I prefer trail mix to get my salt and sweet energy boost.

[Zen]

I like the Clif Shotbloks margarita flavor with extra salt.
And Payday bars

[snapdragen]

Payday bars = Awesome.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

On long rides, I usually add a packet of Emergen-C powder to my water bottles.
It has electrolytes, sugar, and sodium.

[Zen]

Yes, but does it have peanuts and caramel?

[cobalt]

You mean the candy bar?? I could handle that.

I tried the new Powerbar gel blasts and really like the cola flavor.

Thanks for the suggestions, please keep them coming! It's so helpful to us newbies.

[deeaimond]

used to cramp spectacularly very often during martial arts training (back in my capoeira days) a classmate told me it could be a lack of salt. started taking some salt and water before training, and no more cramps.

now I like orange flavoured Tang with salt added in. I just use some 'pan salt' that was lying ard the house. was lousy for cooking (hard to season properly coz it was low sodium and not salty enough u had to add quite abit) but apparently has extra minerals, so good for a home-made sport drink.

peanut m&ms are great while riding...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yes, but does it have peanuts and caramel?

Well heck, you can eat that too!
But I prefer to keep my fluids a bit separate from my solid fuel when biking.

[wildhawk]

I have been using the new Electrolyte mix from PowerBar - it comes in two flavors: lemon and mixed berry and is a small packet that mixes into your water. It replaces the electrolytes but is only 10 calories per packet. Tastes great IMHO.

[Fredwina]

Payday bars = Awesome.

where else can you eat candy bars and claim it's good for you?

[aicabsolut]

The thing is that you lose more than just salt when you sweat, and for some people, being low in any or all electrolytes (potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium) can lead to cramping and/or reduced performance. So if you're a really salty sweater than maybe extra sodium is good for you, but you also should look into consuming something with all the electrolytes. A lot of us get plenty of dietary sodium, so maybe that's why some people do better with cramps if they pay more attention to consuming foods rich in potassium, for example. You might not need straight salt or the margarita bloks, just a general electrolyte supplement with some calories and then a salty snack after the ride, or at least not a low salt diet.

[ilima]

Payday bars = Awesome.

Second the Payday bars! Yum.

A word about drinks with protein--they make your water bottles a real PITA to clean. If you don't get them cleaned out really, really well mold will grow rather quickly. I don't have a dishwasher and have decided to nix the protein drinks.

One good thing about Gatorade is that just about every race uses it, so you train with what you'll be drinking on race day. If you race, that is.

[Brandy]

I use Accelerade on most of my training rides. If it's hot, if I'm climbing, or if I know I'm going to be out for a long ride, I'll bring along Motortabs or electrolyte caps.

[michelem]

I use Accelerade on most of my training rides. If it's hot, if I'm climbing, or if I know I'm going to be out for a long ride, I'll bring along Motortabs or electrolyte caps.

Brandy,

If you like Accelerade, you might want to check out the REI Outlet. Right now they have it on super-duper discount (around 42 cents/serving):

http://www.rei.com/outlet/search?vca...ery=accelerade

If you have them send it to the store for pick-up, you can save the shipping costs as well.

Unfortunately, for me, I've found that I don't tolerate it well. So, if anyone wants an opened jar with about 20 servings left, let me know and you can have it for the cost of shipping!

[vinbek]

I use Shaklee's Performance - its a maximum endurance sports drink. On long rides, I put extra powder in a baggie and can refill my water bottles with it. It comes in two flavors - Orange, my personal favorite and lime. I would try different products and drinks on shorter rides. I find that all that fancy stuff upsets my stomach. I use shot bloks and Luna moons, but for carbs, protein and salt - I always carry a package of peanut butter crackers. I have been riding for 30 years and do about 5 centuries a year and I always carry my crackers. When I have friends that need something extra to eat - it always helps them. Nothing fancy - just something that works. I have another friend who carries small boiled potatoes with her. Find what works for your body and stick with it! Bekki