Energy bars/gels - which ones are tasty and helpful?

FrankGrimes

No idea where I picked it up but I found one of these in my soccer kit bag the other day and ate a quarter before kick-off and a quarter at half-time and had great energy throughout.

I generally just eat a cereal or granola bar when out on cycles, but as I'm doing longer rides now I want to get bars and gels if they're going to help.

I figure a bar that gives a good steady release of energy would be ideal to eat around 1.5-2 hours into the ride. There are so many options on Wiggle & CRC it's hard to choose and very view have reviews - so any recommendations on ones that give a good energy release without tasting too bad? These ones look good for energy, anyone know how they taste?

Am I right to think that the energy gels are for when you've pretty much bonked on a training ride or for the really tough bits of a big event (i.e. give max 30 minutes of energy) and so should not be built into a routine but used occasionally? So energy bar would be the primary with gel for secondary use?

Again there's a zillion different gels out there and the only one I've ever used (handed to me to get me through the last 3km of an endurance running event a couple of years ago) nearly made me puke so I want to avoid a repeat experience!

Lumen

Gels are supposed to be easier to digest than bars (or other solid food), and avoid the "sticky mouth" issues of energy drinks.

There seem to be two basic choices: isotonic or not, caffeine or not.

I don't really see the point of isotonic gels unless you're trying to keep your bidon size down.

I used to use energy drinks (before gels existed), now I use food and ordinary squash. Have just ordered these from Wiggle to experiment with the caffeine element.

zzzzzzzz

I've heard that all these energy gels do your liver damage and they're only supposed to be used occasionaly. Any truth in that?

Signal_ rabbit

I use a carbo drink. tried the gels, they taste sickly and the empty sachet leaves a mess in your back pocket. Now i use jelly babies, fig rolls and the good ol 'nana. Works just as well, if not better, cheaper and gentler on the tum too.

scottreynolds

Nutrigrain bars,jelly Babies, Isotonic drink (1/2 strength) and good old water. I honestly don't think you need gels unless your doing serious miles or serious racing

---

By serious miles i mean day on day out 150km +. I did 175km the other day just with a few bars and some drink....

I did have a gel though but donated that to one of my fellow riders who looked, well.... shagged.

I'm doing a mutliday tour soon and I'll use gels for that cause they are free but apart from that I would carry only for emergencies -- ie BONK

FrankGrimes

Yeh, I hear what you're saying on the gels. I'd definitely only want to use them on an exceptional basis when needed, so might just buy one or two for things like the Wicklow 200 or for emergency backup on training spins.

Has anyone tried these Sports Beans and found them any good? I like the idea of them over energy bars as it would be handier to consume just the amount you feel you need instead of chomping a whole bar which might not be needed.

I've actually been eating quite little on recent rides and am aware I need to increase it a bit to avoid bonking but don't want to overdo it on intake either. Have ordered an energy drink tub and will see how I get on with that as primary source of energy, using granola bars as needed too.

I'm still in the early stages of my training for the Wicklow 200 and have a few kilos still to shift so I want to avoid overfuelling if it means I'm not going to have a net positive intake of calories for the ride.....I want all that hard work to keep shedding some pounds!

TinyExplosions

FrankGrimes wrote: »

Has anyone tried these Sports Beans and found them any good? I like the idea of them over energy bars as it would be handier to consume just the amount you feel you need instead of chomping a whole bar which might not be needed.

Yeah, they're just jelly beans really -taste good, and sugar hit, but don't think there's anything particularly 'sporty' about them

ROK ON

FrankGrimes wrote: »

Yeh, I hear what you're saying on the gels. I'd definitely only want to use them on an exceptional basis when needed, so might just buy one or two for things like the Wicklow 200 or for emergency backup on training spins.

Has anyone tried these Sports Beans and found them any good? I like the idea of them over energy bars as it would be handier to consume just the amount you feel you need instead of chomping a whole bar which might not be needed.

I tried Sports Beans, but only because I have a sweet toothand love jellies. I didn't feel any different to them than eating a cereal bar or banana.
IMO they are just very expensive jellybeans.
In the last leg of a spin I usually have a mars bar or soe other chocolate. I find that it is the best of all. Good taste, feels nice and rewarding at the last leg of a tough cycle and seems to give me an energy boost (not sure is this psychsomatice.)

Home:Ballyhoura

Lumen wrote: »

Gels are supposed to be easier to digest than bars (or other solid food), and avoid the "sticky mouth" issues of energy drinks.

There seem to be two basic choices: isotonic or not, caffeine or not.

I don't really see the point of isotonic gels unless you're trying to keep your bidon size down.

I used to use energy drinks (before gels existed), now I use food and ordinary squash. Have just ordered these from Wiggle to experiment with the caffeine element.

I have these gels...do they need to be taken with water (mixed in a bottle or just consume water at the same time) or not (or are the Isotonic Gels made for this?) I'M CONFUSED

I think the energy bars out there are just disgusting...I've tried a good few and they are really weird flavored sticky gew!!! I now stick with good old granola, nutri-grains and bananas.

Tawfee

Home:Ballyhoura wrote: »

I have these gels...do they need to be taken with water (mixed in a bottle or just consume water at the same time) or not (or are the Isotonic Gels made for this?) I'M CONFUSED

With the Energy gels you're supposed to consume about 400ml of water at the same time, they don't mix with water too well in a bidon (which sort of begs the question, what happens when both get to your stomach?) . The Isogels can be taken without water.

paddyb

clif bars are really tasty and are made from natural ingredients.

nak

I second the Clif bars, Nutri Grain bars are not particulalry good for you, and don't contain the correct ratio of carbs/protein for endurance sport. Sports beans are good for a little pick me up if you like sweet things. A proper sports drink eg. like SIS, combined with bars, bananas and gels should do the trick on the long rides. SIS make isotonic gels, so no water required.

FrankGrimes

I ordered a few of each Clif bar flavours in with a bike rack I was ordering from PBK and should receive this week. I like the way you can buy singles from them and reasonable cost. Will buy a box of whichever one I like best.

I don't get many chances to get into shops so online is my main option but had to drop something off in a shop yesterday and had a chance to pick up one of a few different flavours and types mainly from the Power Bar brand. Had half a chocolate and banana bar - sickeningly sweet but gave me a good bit of energy I guess. Did make me wonder what chemicals were in it though so if the Clif bars work on the energy front and have natural ingredients, I'd stick with them.

E@gle.

anyone try the new power bar ride shots, very tasty and very handy in a race when you can grap one here and there

Quigs Snr

Power Gel Strawberry and Banana Flavour is the only one I can stomach under pressure without wanting to throw up. Does the job for me.

albob

I eat Odlams VitaGrain bars at the moment. Like the Rasberry ones. Actually sometimes dont know if eat them so I can cycle, or cycle so I can eat them!

Signal_ rabbit

albob wrote: »

I eat Odlams VitaGrain bars at the moment. Like the Rasberry ones. Actually sometimes dont know if eat them so I can cycle, or cycle so I can eat them!

Sound nice, how do they compare with other bars energy wise?

albob

To be honest I don't know the best way to judge that other than they fulfill my needs. I used to use other bars (e.g Nature Valley grenola bars but found them very dry).
DO people just look at the energy section of the "Nutrition Information"?

Esroh

I have a liking for the High5 gels,got loads free on TOI challenge 08 and they worked wonders.Now keep 1 in the pocket for emergencies or when on a vlong spin.They are very sweet and a required taste.Make a home-made flapjack adding extra with nut and raisins.

Húrin

What are energy gels? I am just getting this image of sucking down a tube of Brylcreem!

On long spins I am in the habit of finishing off half a pack of digestive biscuits. Is this a bad habit to get into?