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Message started by Action Lad on Aug 16^th, 2013, 10:05pm

Title: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by Action Lad on Aug 16^th, 2013, 10:05pm

I dislike GU nearly as much as I dislike chipseal. Does anyone know of a mid-ride high-energy replacement
d-r-i-n-k, or at very most a smoothie-like consistency product? Tired of going to the LBS, and asking clerks who don't know. [smiley=shrug.gif] Might as well ask folks with the experience of various products. Before it's even mentioned, let's leave pickle juice and all gooey things out of the discussion. [smiley=puking.gif]

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by Tiger_Mike on Aug 16^th, 2013, 10:41pm

In my mind, the only thing worse that GU are those Honey Stingers. I know it isnt what you asked for, but I recommend you try clif shot blocks. I like the way they taste, the cube form of them makes it easy to control the dosing on the carbs you give yourself, and the packaging is nice. Cut one end off, and you can get them out one cube at a time without getting sticky fingers.

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by Action Lad on Aug 16^th, 2013, 11:22pm

Tiger_Mike wrote:

I did mention NO gooey things. Shot bloks are jelly cubes. Tried 'em. Don't even mention them, please. I'm pretty seriously looking for something worthwhile.

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by TonyWard on Aug 17^th, 2013, 6:07am

I like chocolate milk. Of course you have to stop and buy it but if you find a way to carry it on the bike let me know!

I have tried Perpetuem but as soon as I take a drink I want to toss my cookies - probably all mental.

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by dd5339 on Aug 17^th, 2013, 6:57am

Have you tried Clif bars? Not gooey or squishy at all. As a diabetic I find that they work for me while on the bike.

If you google up "Logan Bread" you can also somewhat make your own ride food. Vicky will be along shortly and post up her recipe. It works pretty well while on the bike, the only issue I've found is that I can't quite manage a ziplock one handed.

I am somewhat moving over to trail mix, dried fruit, and almonds as ride food to see if I can come up with something that works well for me on long rides.

Semper Fi

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by Bud_Bent on Aug 17^th, 2013, 7:20am

Maltodextrin is chained glucose molecules, and as such, is just about the best source of instantly digested energy. It's the main ingredient of endurance drinks and gels. So you can mix Cytomax, or any of the endurance drinks, to whatever consistency you want. If you mix it thinner, it's not gooey, but you get less glucose; you'll need to drink a lot more of it to get the job done. Mix it thicker, it's gooey, but you get more glucose. You can eat all kinds of other stuff, but nothing else is going to digest as quickly and deliver as much chained glucose to your bloodstream.

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by Monkeywrangler22 on Aug 17^th, 2013, 9:04am

I use this as a basic recipe for logan bread.

3 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cup wheat germ
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup diced nuts (almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds, whatever you like)
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup powered milk
1/2 cup honey
3/8 cup molasses

Mix it all up in a big bowl. You're looking for a raw consistency of thicker than cooked oatmeal. Spread it into a 9x13" greased pan. Bake at 275F for 90min or so, until cooked and nicely dry. It has the consistency of dense bread--sort of like fruitcake I guess.

The last batch I make this week, had no wheat flour--I used old fashioned rolled oats and a large can of pumpkin pie filling instead, and left out the dry milk, honey and brown sugar. There was about 1/4cup of real maple syrup added though. It came out a little bland except for the cranberries, and had a much moister texture, but not gooey. The main recipe above will be nice and solid, easy to handle and keeps rather well on the ride.

Feel free to experiment with the base recipe, adding or subtracting what you want.

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by rmillay on Aug 17^th, 2013, 3:28pm

I'm not great on gooey stuff, either. Cheap is cookies (like home made or bakery type--not Oreos) or brownies. Chocolate milk does well for me, but some can't tolerate it while exercising. Valid alternatives are drinks like Ensure, or Slimfast, found in convenience stores, but pricier. Perpetuem has worked well for me, but not for some. Spiz is another nutrient drink like that, but , again, higher in cost. Sugar like Gu is fine for a quick shot of energy, but when you are on the road for three hours or more, you want something with some fat and protein in it.

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by Action Lad on Aug 18^th, 2013, 12:08am

Again, I'm looking for a fluid...liquid...a non-viscous substance that one would drink, that is, an imbibitional replenishment. I already have solid food that I eat, but thank you for the suggestions. Vicki, that concoction sounds appetizing. Thanks.

Tony,
I do love chocolate milk, and I have some every once in a while, but I'm one of the less-lactose-tolerant folks. Once in while okay, not a regular ride strategy, though.

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by Monkeywrangler22 on Aug 18^th, 2013, 9:41am

For the thicker substances the issue I find is the ability to keep it cold enough to be palatable. The gatorade I use is fine when the ice is all goneon a hot day. Thicker stuff would be nasty if warm though, imho. Maybe if you froze the Ensure the night before and wrapped it in a towel for insulation and put it in the trike bags?

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by rmillay on Aug 18^th, 2013, 9:53am

The canned nutrition drinks are a lot cheaper by the 4-pack than at the Seven-Eleven. However, the cans don't do so well being frozen. Best you could do would be to chill them and fashion an insulating wrapper for them. Although, Key has the legs to carry around an ice chest! [smiley=whistling.gif]

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by AustinSkater on Aug 18^th, 2013, 1:56pm

Action Lad wrote:

Infinit: http://www.infinitnutrition.us/

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by goatstick on Aug 18^th, 2013, 7:48pm

Action Lad wrote:

Again, I'm looking for a fluid...liquid

What Bud said about Maltodextrin. You can buy it bulk for a great price or with additives as a sports drink. If you don't like sweeteners or flavoring, or want to add your own, try straight or something like Carbo-Pro.

Quote:

I'm one of the less-lactose-tolerant folks.

For a little extra protein to fuel your brain (if you start getting sleepy on a long ride), go with something like a thinned coconut or almond milk with some added protein powder.

I usually run 3 bottles of Carbo-Pro at half or 1/3 strength with green tea to 1 bottle of thinned almond milk w protein every four hours during a race. This is entirely what I fuel with during every race up through the 12 hour races. For 24 hour races, I usually add two bottles of thinned sweet potato soup during the race and one protein bar that I take a bite out of every few hours just to give my stomach something to chew on.

I often do 1-3 century rides a week in traffic (slower pace) and do 2 bottles of the malto/tea, 1 of the protein and 1 water and eat a solid meal shortly after I get home. In winter I can get by on 1 malto/tea and 1 protein for a century, maybe 1 water if I'm cranking it, then eat when done.

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by Bud_Bent on Aug 18^th, 2013, 9:19pm

I mix my own, using Cytomax, plain maltodextrin, and whey protein powder. Like Kent pointed out, maltodextrin is cheap. I mix in whey protein powder at around a 1 : 12 ratio. Sustained Energy is a 7 : 1 protein ratio and Heed is a 4 : 1 ratio, and that's one reason those don't sit well on some peoples' stomachs. I found the same thing, so gradually reduced the protein ratio in my custom drink to 1 : 12.

I eat just enough solid food to help keep my stomach settled. Solid food isn't going to digest fast enough to help you on anything less than an ultra distance ride anyway, so choosing what settles well is more important than trying to pick out something to help for the ride. (Key only asked about drinks anyway, but since there were other remarks making suggestions about solid food, I feel I should point this out.)

Everyone is different, and finding what works can be a moving target, as well. So don't be afraid to experiment, but pick where you experiment. Next Saturday's HHH might not be the best place to discover that your new experiment isn't working.

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by Action Lad on Aug 20^th, 2013, 11:35pm

rmillay wrote:

Okay, now we're starting to get somewhere. [smiley=smiley.gif]
Sounds like I need to see what's there at Seven-Eleven. Thanks, Bob.

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by Action Lad on Aug 20^th, 2013, 11:38pm

AustinSkater wrote:

[quote author=Action Lad link=1376708711/0#8 date=1376802487]Again, I'm looking for a fluid...liquid...a non-viscous substance that one would drink, that is, an imbibitional replenishment. I already have solid food that I eat, but thank you for the suggestions. Vicki, that concoction sounds appetizing. Thanks.

Infinit: http://www.infinitnutrition.us/

[/quote]
I've just gotten back from their site...Whoa! :o
You dial what you want, and there it is...with your own label. What a concept! I have to check out prices. Thanks, AustinSkater!

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by Action Lad on Aug 20^th, 2013, 11:55pm

Bud_Bent wrote:

Very interesting stuff. I really have to look into fuels for the body, and how they work...and for whom. All my life I have noticed that my muscles just do not operate like most people I encounter. That's why the Infinit Nutrition option seems so intriguing. Thanks for the info., Bud. You've sparked in me the desire to do research on this.
One thing is certain, I will chew compost before I do frosting or jelly again.

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by AustinSkater on Aug 21^st, 2013, 5:45am

Action Lad wrote:

[quote author=AustinSkater link=1376708711/0#11 date=1376852204]
Infinit: http://www.infinitnutrition.us/

I've just gotten back from their site...Whoa! :o
You dial what you want, and there it is...with your own label. What a concept! I have to check out prices. Thanks, AustinSkater![/quote]
That is the mix that I used when I raced the Tejas 500, supplemented with some gels and chicken & cheese sandwiches. Even when warm it doesn't taste "that" bad (I've been using it on long paddles so it can get very warm in the bottle), and unlike other commercial products it doesn't taste like spackle.

They normally run a sale once per year where you can get 2 canisters for 50% off, if you order during the first hour of the sale, the discount then drops to 40% for an hour, etc. Needless to say, for the first 5 minutes of the sale their servers get hammered and usually crash.

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by Monkeywrangler22 on Aug 21^st, 2013, 11:36am

Hmm, expensive stuff Infinit, but interesting concept. I wonder how Dave would do with it?

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by AustinSkater on Aug 21^st, 2013, 11:55am

Monkeywrangler22 wrote:

Hmm, expensive stuff Infinit, but interesting concept. I wonder how Dave would do with it?

I'm not going to say that it is the "be all, end all" nutrition product, but like Kent and his race winning seat, I will have to give a lot of credit to this product. At both Bessies Creek and Waco 6 Hour races I averaged one bottle (2 scoops) per Hour and won both of those, at Palo Duro Canyon 6 Hour I only drank one bottle and finished 7th. [smiley=evil.gif]

It is possible to get single serving samples of Infinit: http://www.infinitnutrition.us/productcart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=38 Also, I think Texoma Bicycle Works stocks the single servings (or they used to.

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by Monkeywrangler22 on Aug 21^st, 2013, 1:43pm

Hmm...the MUD stuff looks interesting. The thing is with the single servings, it is not the custom formula, which was what I wanted to play with. Still, I might buy a MUD pack just to try it. Dave might really do well on the custom stuff though, as he has an issue with cramping and nausea.

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by jdorlon on Aug 22^nd, 2013, 4:22pm

That infinite nutrition does seem expensive.

I drink Hammer Perpetuem mixed with water. It doesn't have a strong flavor, which I like. It's about $50 for 32 servings, which is still expensive, but less than infinite. The perpetuem mix and and a SaltStick capsule per hour (less if it isn't real hot out) works very well for me. I don't get hungry and I don't get cramps. I usually ride 50-100 miles at time.

-John

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by Phantom Rider on Aug 22^nd, 2013, 5:22pm

jdorlon wrote:

any experience with Hammer sustained Energy? I've been looking for a solution as well and today my LBS spoke highly of it. I also came across this link http://www.hammernutrition.com/downloads/fuelinghandbook.pdf that I intend to read through..probably propaganda for Hammer but thought I would go through it anyway.

Title: Re: Nutrition for GU Haters
Post by Bud_Bent on Aug 22^nd, 2013, 8:04pm

If it's still what used to be on the Hammer site, it's pretty good info, though a bit dated. And I completely disagree with their take on protein powder. I use whey protein powder, not the soy that they espouse.