ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Should you use gels during training and racing? Which ones are best? And why do some athletes swear by certain brands while others cannot stomach them?
In this episode of Find Your Edge, Coach Chris Newport and dietetic intern Emily Qiu break down the world of endurance gels.
We cover:
- what gels actually do
- why fueling during exercise matters
- differences between popular gel brands
- caffeine, sodium, and carb sources
- GI distress and taste preferences
- why you should never try a new gel on race day
- how to build a personalized fueling strategy
If you have ever felt overwhelmed by the nutrition wall at your local running store, this episode is for you.
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https://www.theenduranceedge.com/fuelingbootcamp/
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IN THIS EPISODE
SHOW NOTES 🔗
TRANSCRIPT 🔗
00:00:55.789 --> 00:00:58.670
Alright, hey friends, welcome back to the Find Your Edge podcast.
00:00:58.750 --> 00:01:03.710
And today is a deep dive into everyone's favorite workout treat.
00:01:04.269 --> 00:01:10.430
And that being gels, so I am here with my trusty dietetic intern, Emily Q.
00:01:10.989 --> 00:01:13.950
So thanks again for preparing this presentation.
00:01:14.030 --> 00:01:17.150
And you know, nothing like a deep dive into gels.
00:01:17.310 --> 00:01:18.269
Would you agree?
00:01:18.590 --> 00:01:19.549
Of course.
00:01:19.789 --> 00:01:23.710
Um I feel like everyone has such different experiences with them.
00:01:23.870 --> 00:01:26.109
So I completely agree.
00:01:26.189 --> 00:01:31.150
And I think that that is uh a great segue into what the heck are gels?
00:01:31.469 --> 00:01:32.509
Should I have them?
00:01:32.750 --> 00:01:33.549
Should I not?
00:01:33.710 --> 00:01:38.109
So, Emily, jump in, give us the things.
00:01:38.269 --> 00:01:39.710
Why should we do a gel?
00:01:39.949 --> 00:01:40.750
What are they?
00:01:40.990 --> 00:01:42.909
And uh and take it from there.
00:01:43.310 --> 00:01:43.710
All right.
00:01:43.789 --> 00:01:45.549
Well, thanks for having me, Chris.
00:01:45.710 --> 00:01:52.750
Um, if you have been doing endurance sports for a while, you've probably seen, heard, or used gels before.
00:01:52.990 --> 00:02:08.909
They're pretty much little packets of quick carbs, quick energy that you're supposed to take, like either right before or during a like a long run or ride or just heart like long effort in general, usually over 90 minutes.
00:02:09.310 --> 00:02:13.710
And they can just be a lot of people don't really like the sensation of eating while they run.
00:02:13.870 --> 00:02:19.389
So if if it's not like an ultra event or anything, a lot of people rely on these during their races.
00:02:20.189 --> 00:02:21.389
Yeah, absolutely.
00:02:21.629 --> 00:02:22.109
Cool.
00:02:22.349 --> 00:02:27.389
So just like you said, it is a convenient source of quick energy.
00:02:27.550 --> 00:02:39.469
And like we were talking before we started, there's so many of these gels, which like kind of blows my mind because it's like, how many iterations of small amounts of sugar can you have?
00:02:39.710 --> 00:02:41.789
And clearly a lot.
00:02:42.430 --> 00:02:43.870
A lot, a lot.
00:02:44.109 --> 00:02:47.069
So you have a picture, and we don't have any connections to these brands.
00:02:47.229 --> 00:02:52.909
This is just for your education to so that you know that there are so many different things on the market.
00:02:53.150 --> 00:02:57.789
And in our fueling hydration boot camp, we have a massive list of all of them.
00:02:57.870 --> 00:03:00.909
We're up to almost 200 different products.
00:03:01.389 --> 00:03:04.349
And that's just, I feel like that's like barely scratching the surface.
00:03:04.429 --> 00:03:06.509
It's it's not, it's more than scratching the surface.
00:03:06.750 --> 00:03:13.069
But here there's edge, there's goo, there's morton, there's precision fuel.
00:03:13.229 --> 00:03:19.549
I don't even know what the other two, victis, maybe, and uh I'm gonna do Amex.
00:03:19.949 --> 00:03:22.669
I hadn't heard of those two either when I put this picture on the case.
00:03:22.829 --> 00:03:28.909
They're big in the cycling world, but you know, I in my head I say it to myself, but I don't actually say it out loud.
00:03:28.989 --> 00:03:32.189
So apologies if I just, you know, murdered the name of that.
00:03:32.269 --> 00:03:36.030
But uh honestly, it doesn't matter what you choose or if you choose these.
00:03:36.189 --> 00:03:39.789
So give us a little bit more info on these gels, Emily.
00:03:40.269 --> 00:03:40.590
All right.
00:03:40.829 --> 00:03:50.989
So one of my favorite things to tell people is to buy them in the single serve packets because a lot of times they're sold in bulk in like big boxes.
00:03:51.229 --> 00:03:56.109
And while that if you know what you like and want to save money that way, that's great.
00:03:56.269 --> 00:04:10.509
But especially if you're just you're new to gels or you're looking to expand your gel variety, you really want to just try them one at a time because it's not gonna be good if you buy a whole box and realize that that gel doesn't work for you.
00:04:10.829 --> 00:04:20.990
So a few ways you can do that is to go to uh thefeed.com again, not sponsored, but it's a great resource to try all kinds of different fueling sources.
00:04:21.230 --> 00:04:27.470
And your also your local running store can also provide a lot of these gels in the single cert.
00:04:27.790 --> 00:04:29.550
You can just buy them one at a time.
00:04:29.870 --> 00:04:30.269
Yes.
00:04:30.430 --> 00:04:33.230
And shout out to our partners, Inside Out Sports.
00:04:33.310 --> 00:04:42.990
They are local and they're also online, and they've got a great selection of different items, as well as Bull City Running.
00:04:43.230 --> 00:04:49.709
I just think they have like the best nutrition wall and it's it's beautifully arranged in both of their stores.
00:04:49.790 --> 00:04:52.189
They're located in, they have two locations in Durham.
00:04:52.269 --> 00:04:56.829
You just walk in and I feel like I'm like walking into like the Mecca of gels.
00:04:57.150 --> 00:05:07.550
So highly recommend if you want to literally put your hands on something and you don't want to necessarily shop online, those are two good places to check out some gels.
00:05:07.790 --> 00:05:08.110
Yeah.
00:05:08.350 --> 00:05:20.750
I really love going to the running stores to try them out too, because then you can really get a feel for the size of the packet and like the cons you can feel the consistency of the gel a little bit, whether you prefer the thicker ones or the runnier ones.
00:05:20.910 --> 00:05:27.069
It just gives you more of a it's it's the same thing as like shopping for clothes in person versus online, you know?
00:05:27.629 --> 00:05:35.230
Yeah, you can touch it, you can, you know, you can squish it, and then you can have a conversation with the folks behind the counter.
00:05:35.310 --> 00:05:47.310
And they're generally always like super passionate and they have an opinion on gels, and at the end of the day, that's what matters is so knowledgeable your opinion and you know, finding what works best for you.
00:05:47.470 --> 00:05:48.510
So yeah.
00:05:48.670 --> 00:06:02.030
Speaking of finding what works best for you, if if you're new to gels and trying a variety, it's really good to try them out in like your long runs and your workouts and just like simulating how it might affect you during a hard effort like a race.
00:06:02.189 --> 00:06:07.150
So that's like my one one of my biggest tips is to just experiment.
00:06:07.790 --> 00:06:08.910
Yes, totally.
00:06:09.150 --> 00:06:17.950
And I do want to emphasize that just because you're an endurance athlete or identify as one does not mean that you have to consume gels.
00:06:18.189 --> 00:06:32.590
They are surely a convenient package that is easily carried alongside with you in, you know, a shirt, a sports bra on the bike, however you're gonna actually physically carry it, it's a surely a convenient option for carbs.
00:06:32.670 --> 00:06:39.870
There are a million other ways that you can get carbohydrates, but this just happens to be, you know, a super easy way to do it.
00:06:40.030 --> 00:06:42.990
So you've got another tip here for us, Emily.
00:06:43.470 --> 00:06:44.110
Oh yeah.
00:06:44.350 --> 00:06:55.390
I would say usually if you're doing some sort of race event, they're like if it's long enough, they're probably going to offer some gels on the course, usually in like the later miles.
00:06:55.710 --> 00:07:00.670
So if you can look up what kind of gels that they're going to offer.
00:07:00.830 --> 00:07:03.470
I know in races that I've done before, I'm a runner.
00:07:03.550 --> 00:07:13.550
So I I've done a lot of half marathons, a full marathon, and like they would usually offer goo, the that's the brand that they would offer at their aid stations.
00:07:13.950 --> 00:07:26.350
So a great way, if you don't know where to start, is to check what kind of gel your course offers and practice with that because in case you run into a bit of a sticky situation and you're later in the level of the case.
00:07:26.510 --> 00:07:27.310
I see what you did there.
00:07:27.629 --> 00:07:28.030
Uh-huh.
00:07:28.590 --> 00:07:39.150
If you if you run into any issues later in your race, then you can grab a gel from the aid station and you won't be worried because you've it's tried and true.
00:07:39.230 --> 00:07:40.910
You've done it before, you've practiced with it.
00:07:40.990 --> 00:07:47.470
Yes, that's just or if you find you don't like it and you're gonna carry something yourself, then you know, that could also be.
00:07:47.870 --> 00:07:49.470
That's valuable info too.
00:07:49.790 --> 00:07:50.110
Right.
00:07:50.350 --> 00:07:50.990
Absolutely.
00:07:51.230 --> 00:07:55.950
Because it again, just a reminder, at the end of the day, they're all pretty much iterations of the same thing.
00:07:56.189 --> 00:07:56.670
Right.
00:07:56.910 --> 00:08:02.670
So and we get deeper into like different types of carbohydrates and our fueling and hydration boot camp.
00:08:02.750 --> 00:08:04.110
So that's coming up soon.
00:08:04.270 --> 00:08:05.710
But we give you some examples.
00:08:05.870 --> 00:08:10.030
So, Emily, start off with probably the OG on the market, honestly.
00:08:10.270 --> 00:08:11.230
I don't know that for sure.
00:08:11.310 --> 00:08:12.110
I might be making that up.
00:08:12.189 --> 00:08:13.390
That might be fake news friends.
00:08:13.550 --> 00:08:15.230
But yeah, tell us about goo.
00:08:15.550 --> 00:08:21.629
Yeah, so goo, everybody, this is probably the most recognizable gel, I'd say.
00:08:21.870 --> 00:08:28.990
I'm gonna go ahead and talk about like the primary like nutrition facts that we're interested in for each of these gels.
00:08:29.150 --> 00:08:36.509
You'll find that as we go through them all, they're very, very similar, at least when you break them down to the basics.
00:08:36.750 --> 00:08:39.230
But let's talk first about the goo.
00:08:39.470 --> 00:08:43.789
Like the on the left is their like most basic common like form.
00:08:43.870 --> 00:08:45.870
I the just the regular energy gel.
00:08:46.029 --> 00:08:46.269
Yeah.
00:08:46.509 --> 00:08:55.230
In one little packet, there's 100 calories, 23 grams of carbs, a little bit of caffeine, a little bit of sodium, but not much, not really much of either.
00:08:55.470 --> 00:08:56.909
And that's not necessarily the standard.
00:08:56.990 --> 00:08:58.990
This one's but that you chose specifically.
00:08:59.069 --> 00:09:02.189
This is the jet blackberry with caffeine, and it says it on the label.
00:09:02.269 --> 00:09:03.149
So that's true.
00:09:03.389 --> 00:09:10.350
If you don't want caffeine, then obviously choose the one that doesn't have caffeine on the label.
00:09:10.509 --> 00:09:12.990
But yeah, but you know, then you see what you're getting.
00:09:13.069 --> 00:09:15.549
It's it's 1.1 ounces by weight, right?
00:09:15.629 --> 00:09:18.269
So you know that it's one ounce, you guys.
00:09:18.350 --> 00:09:18.909
It's one ounce.
00:09:19.069 --> 00:09:20.189
It's not right.
00:09:20.269 --> 00:09:26.750
So like it's easy to yeah, to stick in a shorts pocket or put on your bike or whatever.
00:09:26.909 --> 00:09:31.549
But I like how Emily has broken it down here because again, at the end of the day, it's calories.
00:09:31.870 --> 00:09:37.789
And then some companies add in, like goo here, adds in some caffeine.
00:09:37.949 --> 00:09:45.469
And then you have another gel as a representation of how the variations exist.
00:09:45.789 --> 00:09:54.189
Yeah, so this one is is also from goo, but they call it their like Roctane Ultra Endurance energy gel.
00:09:54.269 --> 00:10:02.429
And from what I can see on the package, the only like real difference to the the one on the left is that it has a little bit more sodium.
00:10:02.589 --> 00:10:07.469
But again, in the in the grand scheme of things, if you're doing a long race, it's not like that much more sodium.
00:10:07.629 --> 00:10:08.750
That's that's really it.
00:10:09.069 --> 00:10:13.469
And it it boasts on the package some more um amino acids.
00:10:13.870 --> 00:10:25.069
But I put that note up there on the top of the slide that like extra amino acids aren't really necessarily helpful because when you're in that race, you're you're looking for carbs, you're looking for quick energy.
00:10:25.230 --> 00:10:30.669
Your body does not really prefer to burn protein for energy unless it like really needs to.
00:10:30.750 --> 00:10:39.629
So as long as you have that steady stream of carbs and your body is also utilizing fat stores for energy, the amino acids really don't matter here.
00:10:39.789 --> 00:10:41.949
So that could just be a marketing tactic.
00:10:42.269 --> 00:10:42.589
Yes.
00:10:42.750 --> 00:10:47.709
So they they are branched chain amino acids, which are some of the few ones that can actually be used from the muscle.
00:10:47.949 --> 00:10:52.269
But is it gonna buy you that much additional energy?
00:10:54.750 --> 00:10:56.669
And also, no, it is more expensive.
00:10:56.909 --> 00:10:57.149
It is.
00:10:57.389 --> 00:11:01.789
If you care, but again, if you're like I only use rock taint, knock yourself out.
00:11:01.949 --> 00:11:02.990
Like I'm here for it.
00:11:03.149 --> 00:11:03.949
Yeah, you know?
00:11:04.189 --> 00:11:11.789
So we can see that uh for the goo gels, the carb source they like to use is uh multidextrin and fructose primarily.
00:11:12.429 --> 00:11:13.230
Cool, yeah.
00:11:13.389 --> 00:11:17.469
So there are all different types of sugar sources.
00:11:17.629 --> 00:11:23.069
We're not gonna go into deep into that in here, but we go deeper into that in their fueling and hydration boot camp.
00:11:23.149 --> 00:11:28.429
What is the purpose of each and how does it serve your performance?
00:11:28.750 --> 00:11:42.429
So for the purposes of this, let's get into another brand because so many people are like, oh, I don't know what maltodextrin is, and then fructose is also, you know, I'm scared of that, or I don't know what you guys are thinking, but we're here to educate.
00:11:42.669 --> 00:11:45.870
So some people are like, I want to go with a natural brand.
00:11:46.110 --> 00:11:47.709
So here we are.
00:11:47.870 --> 00:11:49.309
What do we have here, Emily?
00:11:49.629 --> 00:12:05.629
Here we have honey stinger gels, and as you can see, the calorie and carb content very similar to the goose at baseline, but you can see here that the carb source they use instead is tapioca syrup and honey.
00:12:05.870 --> 00:12:15.309
So if those ingredients seem more readable to you or just you know feel better for your GI tract, then you know, go for it.
00:12:15.629 --> 00:12:16.189
There you go.
00:12:16.429 --> 00:12:16.669
Yeah.
00:12:16.909 --> 00:12:23.629
And this is just uh like a basic version of the honey stinger versus the caffeinated version.
00:12:23.949 --> 00:12:25.230
Yes, for sure.
00:12:25.549 --> 00:12:37.870
And I will have to say, because I've been fooled myself, is that if you can stomach a tablespoon of honey, you can stomach honey stinger energy gel.
00:12:38.669 --> 00:12:44.750
I mean, that's pretty much what you're doing, is just like a big spoonful of sugar.
00:12:44.909 --> 00:12:45.069
Right.
00:12:45.709 --> 00:12:47.709
Like Mary Poppins or something.
00:12:48.110 --> 00:12:53.709
Anyway, okay, so now we're gonna get into a quote-unquote newer verse.
00:12:53.870 --> 00:13:00.189
I mean, Morton's not that much newer on the market, but it is newer than something like goo.
00:13:00.669 --> 00:13:06.110
And they were sort of integral in releasing this hydro gel.
00:13:06.349 --> 00:13:08.029
But yeah, tell us about Morton.
00:13:08.269 --> 00:13:14.029
Yeah, I've actually never personally tried Morton because one thing you know is like it's so weird.
00:13:14.269 --> 00:13:15.149
That is what I've heard.
00:13:15.309 --> 00:13:18.669
The tech the texture can be a little off-putting and they're just really expensive.
00:13:18.750 --> 00:13:20.509
They're like five gel.
00:13:21.230 --> 00:13:21.789
Yeah, yeah.
00:13:22.029 --> 00:13:22.589
So definitely.
00:13:22.909 --> 00:13:29.389
I've never personally tried them, but one of one thing that they really like to advertise is that they're like easy on the stomach.
00:13:29.549 --> 00:13:38.189
There's so people who have trouble digesting maybe goose or just experience a lot of GI distress with some other gels, a lot of them find success with mortin.
00:13:38.509 --> 00:13:44.269
And one reason for that you could maybe see is that their carb source is glucose and fructose.
00:13:44.429 --> 00:13:47.309
So, like really basic building blocks of, you know, carbs.
00:13:47.389 --> 00:13:49.469
So your body doesn't really monosaccharides.
00:13:50.189 --> 00:13:50.429
Yeah.
00:13:50.669 --> 00:13:53.469
You don't really have to do much to break them down at all.
00:13:53.789 --> 00:14:03.069
I I've got some videos that I compiled last year when I was training for Xtera Worlds, and I went through this gel tasting, and uh, we compiled them all.
00:14:03.149 --> 00:14:04.829
So that's coming soon.
00:14:04.990 --> 00:14:09.149
To uh in fact, I'll probably put it with a blog on this one.
00:14:09.389 --> 00:14:21.949
And you can see me literally like no, I don't hide any facial expressions, but I try a gel, I try this for you, and it is a very unique consistency.
00:14:22.429 --> 00:14:24.990
So, but some people swear by it, and good on them.
00:14:25.149 --> 00:14:30.509
Again, if it works and people like it, and you know, great, perfect.
00:14:30.750 --> 00:14:34.909
And all right, so it's cool that they come in, it's cool that they come in this like bigger size too.
00:14:35.069 --> 00:14:46.509
If you need if you find that like the the small 100 calorie, like approximately 25 grams of carbs pack is not doing it for you, there's a big there's like a bigger one with just a little bit more.
00:14:46.750 --> 00:14:46.909
Yeah.
00:14:47.389 --> 00:14:48.029
Yeah.
00:14:48.349 --> 00:14:55.069
And seeing that, you know, a good place to start is 30 to 60 grams of carbs per hour if you've never fueled before.
00:14:55.230 --> 00:15:08.509
But if you are more mature in your fueling strategy, then you can get upwards of, you know, 90, sometimes 100, and you know, people are even pushing it beyond that, then yeah, the 25 gram is just gonna scratch the surface.
00:15:08.909 --> 00:15:11.629
So something to try with with bigger options.
00:15:11.949 --> 00:15:15.629
Okay, I love how you put this other brand in here because it is also unique.
00:15:15.709 --> 00:15:17.709
You got it, you got a couple of good ones in here.
00:15:17.870 --> 00:15:19.309
So what you got here?
00:15:19.629 --> 00:15:26.189
Yeah, so the huma ones are also another gel that's advertised as having like more natural ingredients, you could say.
00:15:26.349 --> 00:15:32.990
As you can see, the carb source here is mostly like fruit pureees, brown rice syrup, juice concentrate.
00:15:33.149 --> 00:15:38.990
These all have all the Huma gels are like fruity flavored, if that means anything to you.
00:15:39.149 --> 00:15:41.069
I personally I use Huma's.
00:15:41.149 --> 00:15:41.789
I like them.
00:15:41.949 --> 00:15:44.990
I like the they're they're made of chia seeds, actually.
00:15:45.069 --> 00:15:48.990
So like they have a really unique texture, which I like.
00:15:49.149 --> 00:15:51.069
It might not be everyone's cup of tea.
00:15:51.309 --> 00:15:53.230
Yes, not my cup of tea friends.
00:15:53.389 --> 00:15:56.589
I'm all for some chia seeds, but not while I'm exercising.
00:15:56.669 --> 00:15:59.469
So, but it works for Emily, so great, right?
00:15:59.870 --> 00:16:03.870
Yeah, and right here they have their like more basic version, I guess.
00:16:04.029 --> 00:16:10.509
And then uh the Huma Plus looks like it just has more sodium for electrolytes.
00:16:10.750 --> 00:16:17.789
Yes, it says double electrolytes is what it touts on the container, what it touts on the package.
00:16:18.029 --> 00:16:27.870
And if you guys have heard me talk before, and if you've been part of our fueling hydration boot camp, you know that I'm kind of a stickler when it comes to electrolytes.
00:16:28.110 --> 00:16:33.549
It you know, sodium 240 versus 105, like that's that's not that big of a deal.
00:16:33.709 --> 00:16:46.829
But as we start getting into the bigger numbers and as you start getting into bigger events, then electrolytes are key that are aligned with your sweat.
00:16:47.230 --> 00:16:55.870
So I've seen all across the spectrum of folks who are like, I'm pushing my electrolytes so hardcore, and then they feel terrible.
00:16:56.029 --> 00:17:08.190
And then people on the other end who I they forget their electrolytes completely, but not knowing what your actual sweat content is, it's kind of like, well, I think it's good, you know.
00:17:08.430 --> 00:17:12.029
So it's kind of like a one shoe size fits all.
00:17:12.110 --> 00:17:17.710
That's not, you know, some people are wide, some people have longer feet, some people, you know, like some people have a smaller hill cup.
00:17:17.870 --> 00:17:19.309
It's the same thing with electrolytes.
00:17:19.390 --> 00:17:24.910
So with this kind of thing, probably gonna be safe and easy to take.
00:17:25.150 --> 00:17:31.789
But as you graduate to longer and longer distance events, as it gets hotter and hotter, I think it is important to understand your sodium needs.
00:17:32.029 --> 00:17:32.829
And then know.
00:17:33.150 --> 00:17:36.670
Do you want to buy the plus or do you need to just buy the regular?
00:17:36.990 --> 00:17:39.150
Right, because the plus is always more expensive.
00:17:39.309 --> 00:17:41.390
Yeah, but plus is always more expensive.
00:17:41.630 --> 00:17:42.029
Yeah.
00:17:42.269 --> 00:17:44.750
All right, you got another good option here.
00:17:44.910 --> 00:17:45.069
Yeah.
00:17:45.309 --> 00:17:47.390
So we have here the cyst gels.
00:17:47.470 --> 00:17:48.269
I've never used these.
00:17:48.349 --> 00:17:50.349
I think that stands for science in sport.
00:17:50.670 --> 00:17:50.910
Yeah.
00:17:51.309 --> 00:18:06.430
Um, and the main sell with these ones is that at least the uh these two on the left or the one on all the way on the left here is they they say it's isotonic, which means that you don't have to, like most of these other gels, they recommend that you take water, a few sips of water with them.
00:18:06.670 --> 00:18:12.029
But sis says that you don't have to drink water with their isotonic gel.
00:18:12.750 --> 00:18:18.109
So if that factors into convenience for you, then that's something to think about.
00:18:18.349 --> 00:18:18.589
Yeah.
00:18:18.670 --> 00:18:26.029
And these and these are, you can see these are two ounces, two fluid ounces versus like the goo was one ounce.
00:18:26.109 --> 00:18:37.950
So you're at least getting an additional ounce, which is two tablespoons for anybody who wants to, you know, or like a shot of water, basically, that they have added to it.
00:18:38.190 --> 00:18:46.589
Which, if that's, you know, if you want to take your gel and you want to take your gel and you don't want to wait until an aid station, this might be the option for you.
00:18:47.069 --> 00:18:47.389
Yeah.
00:18:47.710 --> 00:18:54.190
And then the one in the middle just has more electrolytes, though it's not really that much.
00:18:54.349 --> 00:18:58.349
Like you can see that the this middle one has a hundred milligrams of sodium.
00:18:58.509 --> 00:19:04.430
That's like the plus electrolytes version, but like the basic Huma we just saw already had a hundred.
00:19:04.670 --> 00:19:14.670
So these things like read the labels if that's something you're you're you're concerned about because marketing can do a lot for you.
00:19:15.069 --> 00:19:15.470
Yeah.
00:19:15.629 --> 00:19:19.470
And again, at the end of the day, I think of these as a convenient carbohydrate source.
00:19:19.549 --> 00:19:23.069
So you may not want the electrolytes or you may want the electrolytes.
00:19:23.149 --> 00:19:26.190
I also find it interesting that their carb source is is single.
00:19:26.349 --> 00:19:28.029
They have a single carb source.
00:19:28.430 --> 00:19:29.710
So just maltodextrin.
00:19:29.869 --> 00:19:41.069
We see more specifically that two sorts, the two sources of carbohydrates are better absorbed, particularly when it uh when you add in fructose, but it gets a little bit deeper into that.
00:19:41.149 --> 00:19:43.789
Like I said, we go deeper into that in our fueling nitration boot camp.
00:19:43.869 --> 00:19:45.869
But again, it's an option, right?
00:19:46.109 --> 00:19:46.349
Right.
00:19:46.589 --> 00:19:50.750
And the one on the right, which is the their, it's called the beta fuel gel.
00:19:51.149 --> 00:19:58.990
This, as you can see from the numbers, it's just got about almost almost double the amount of calories and carbs from the other two.
00:19:59.149 --> 00:20:04.990
And this one does have that fructose to help absorb because it just has more carbs.
00:20:05.389 --> 00:20:06.190
Yeah, yeah.
00:20:06.430 --> 00:20:11.789
So, and they show this one to 0.8 multixtrin to fructose ratio.
00:20:11.950 --> 00:20:16.509
Again, not to be covered here, but we go deeper into that in the fueling and hydration boot camp.
00:20:16.670 --> 00:20:18.349
Doesn't matter, does it not?
00:20:18.589 --> 00:20:23.869
Um, and the human body is complicated, Emily.
00:20:24.109 --> 00:20:26.509
It is so much so.
00:20:26.829 --> 00:20:34.430
And I know that you didn't consult me on this, but this happens to be this next one happens to be my, I'm air quoting here, favorite gel.
00:20:34.990 --> 00:20:39.230
Um, because I can't exactly say that gels are my favorite.
00:20:39.629 --> 00:20:43.629
Like, you know, if somebody's like, you want a brownie, I'd be like, yes, please.
00:20:43.869 --> 00:20:46.029
They would be like, you want a carbs fuel?
00:20:46.269 --> 00:20:47.549
No, I'm good.
00:20:49.069 --> 00:20:55.389
So please don't eat your gels for any reason other than during exercise for the love of all things only.
00:20:56.109 --> 00:20:56.430
Right.
00:20:56.670 --> 00:21:00.589
I might have I've I've honestly I would prefer to eat candy at that point.
00:21:01.309 --> 00:21:01.629
Yes.
00:21:01.869 --> 00:21:04.029
I'm I have a huge sweet tooth, but yeah.
00:21:04.509 --> 00:21:04.909
And you know what?
00:21:04.990 --> 00:21:06.269
That's a great carb source.
00:21:06.990 --> 00:21:08.750
And it can be great intra fueling.
00:21:08.829 --> 00:21:09.230
Anyway, yeah.
00:21:09.389 --> 00:21:09.549
Yes.
00:21:09.629 --> 00:21:11.710
Okay, tell us about carbs, carbs fuel.
00:21:12.029 --> 00:21:18.109
So um, Chris, I think I know one of the like one of the reasons you like the carbs fuel is that they don't really taste like much.
00:21:18.269 --> 00:21:20.349
They're not like trying to be flavored.
00:21:20.509 --> 00:21:24.509
No, and they pack in a lot of carbs, like the name would suggest.
00:21:24.670 --> 00:21:35.309
These are bigger packets, they each have 200 calories and 50 grams of carbs, and that's pretty much double what all the other ones that we've looked at before had.
00:21:35.549 --> 00:21:40.750
So if you're sure if you're packing in for a long race, these can be helpful.
00:21:40.990 --> 00:21:41.389
Yes.
00:21:41.629 --> 00:21:46.269
And the other thing I like about these is they're much more affordable.
00:21:46.829 --> 00:21:49.309
Because gels can be expensive.
00:21:49.629 --> 00:21:57.069
So uh they they really hit the mark in terms of being affordable and being, you know, easy to carry.
00:21:57.149 --> 00:21:58.029
And yes, you're right.
00:21:58.109 --> 00:22:03.069
I generally don't like a lot of flavor in what I'm doing for exercise.
00:22:03.309 --> 00:22:05.869
So it meets the mark for me.
00:22:06.109 --> 00:22:10.430
And you can see by weight this that carbs tool, that 50 grams of carbs.
00:22:10.589 --> 00:22:15.869
Remember the 25, 24, 23 grams of carbs for a goo was I think 1.1 ounces.
00:22:15.950 --> 00:22:17.470
This is 1.86 ounces.
00:22:17.549 --> 00:22:20.190
So yes, they are bigger, is heavier.
00:22:20.430 --> 00:22:28.589
And then if you add in this, their their plus version, which is with 450 milligrams of sodium, now we're talking that's 2.68.
00:22:28.990 --> 00:22:34.029
So we've gone, we've gone up a little bit in terms of size.
00:22:34.349 --> 00:22:40.909
Oh, that that caffeine on the right one is supposed to say 100, because that's the that's the caffeinated version.
00:22:41.069 --> 00:22:43.309
It should say 100 milligrams of caffeine.
00:22:43.629 --> 00:22:44.509
Oh, yeah, you're right.
00:22:44.829 --> 00:22:46.190
Type of, it's okay.
00:22:46.269 --> 00:22:47.149
It's all good.
00:22:47.309 --> 00:22:51.389
Yeah, so 200 calories, 50 grams of carbs, 100 milligrams of caffeine.
00:22:51.470 --> 00:22:55.629
So 100 milligrams of caffeine is the equivalent of, you know, pretty good cup of coffee.
00:22:55.950 --> 00:22:56.269
Coffee.
00:22:57.149 --> 00:23:00.269
So know what you're getting into when it comes to caffeine.
00:23:00.430 --> 00:23:09.470
We also like to look at genetics and determine whether caffeine is a good source for you, is a good option for you in creating your personalized hydration plan.
00:23:09.549 --> 00:23:12.750
So again, something that we go deeper into in the fueling hydration boot camp.
00:23:12.909 --> 00:23:14.750
All right, so tell us the things.
00:23:15.149 --> 00:23:16.750
What do we got to wrap it all up?
00:23:17.149 --> 00:23:23.309
Just to cover some of what we went through today, we know that gels are portable sources of quick energy during long endurance events.
00:23:23.389 --> 00:23:29.789
You don't have to solely rely on them, but they are just an option that some people love, some people don't.
00:23:29.950 --> 00:23:41.789
No matter what type of fuel you you take with you, starting fueling early and fueling regularly during a race can really help prevent you that feeling of hitting the wall that people like to talk about.
00:23:41.950 --> 00:23:49.470
Um, because then your body doesn't have to deplete its like stored energy in the form of glycogen as fast.
00:23:50.029 --> 00:23:56.349
So that's why we say that no matter what you use in a long race, you definitely want to be fueling during it.
00:23:56.589 --> 00:23:57.230
Yep.
00:23:57.789 --> 00:23:58.190
Yeah.
00:23:58.430 --> 00:24:02.349
As as you can see, there's a lot of brands and types.
00:24:02.509 --> 00:24:05.309
So you just try a bunch and see what works best for you.
00:24:05.549 --> 00:24:06.190
Yeah.
00:24:06.509 --> 00:24:08.190
I I totally agree.
00:24:08.349 --> 00:24:18.029
And it's kind of making me giggle because you have on this slide here, you have the untapped, which I tried, which is right, is like mate, is like maple syrup.
00:24:18.109 --> 00:24:19.869
And I don't know what I was thinking on the label.
00:24:19.950 --> 00:24:21.629
I was like, oh, it's made, it's raspberry.
00:24:21.710 --> 00:24:25.389
So I was like thinking in my head it's gonna be more gel consistent.
00:24:25.470 --> 00:24:32.589
It was literal maple syrup, it was maple syrup in a container, and I had to down it, and I really wished I had pancakes at the time.
00:24:32.829 --> 00:24:36.909
And I was like, I don't know what I was thinking to think that this was anything other than maple syrup.
00:24:37.069 --> 00:24:38.509
So I don't know.
00:24:38.670 --> 00:24:40.190
I get I get fooled too.
00:24:40.269 --> 00:24:56.509
So you guys are gonna have to check out the video that I did of me trying all of these different gels and just giving my you know honest review on what worked for me and what I ended up landing on, which was of course the carbs fuel, and uh they're not paying me a cent for this.
00:24:56.670 --> 00:25:02.430
But at the end of the day, you guys gotta find what works best for you and the consistency.
00:25:02.589 --> 00:25:20.990
I just want to hammer that home, Emily, because if you take one little tiny sip of your gel in a race that you have never tried before and you're like, that's disgusting, then you have you're gonna dig yourself into a hole because you're like, I'm not gonna finish that, then defeats the purpose.
00:25:21.149 --> 00:25:25.869
Now you are putting yourself at risk of running out of juice.
00:25:26.109 --> 00:25:30.909
Yeah, you don't you don't really want to try anything new on race day just in case.
00:25:31.230 --> 00:25:31.549
No.
00:25:31.869 --> 00:25:34.670
So really use those long runs to practice.
00:25:34.909 --> 00:25:35.470
Yes.
00:25:35.710 --> 00:25:43.549
So if you need support putting together your personalized fueling and hydration plan, this is what we do in our fueling and hydration boot camp.
00:25:43.629 --> 00:25:58.509
We go through all of the different types of carbs, we go through all the different types of gels, products, sports drinks, and help you based on your specific sweat science to create a plan that works for you not only for one race, but for multiple races.
00:25:58.670 --> 00:26:02.670
And a little bonus coming up this season, we are in the process of developing an app.
00:26:03.309 --> 00:26:13.309
So anybody who is in this most recent or the next version of our fueling and hydration boot camp will get free access to our beta app.
00:26:13.389 --> 00:26:14.829
So you guys gotta come try it.
00:26:14.909 --> 00:26:17.309
It's gonna make everything so much easier.
00:26:17.629 --> 00:26:19.710
I promise it's gonna be amazing.
00:26:19.789 --> 00:26:29.549
And then you will be able to use the app to predict based on your data, how much hydration and fueling you're actually gonna need for your event.
00:26:29.710 --> 00:26:30.589
So it's gonna be really cool.
00:26:30.750 --> 00:26:33.869
So the enduranceedge.com forward slash fueling boot camp.
00:26:34.190 --> 00:26:35.789
Emily, this was so fun.
00:26:36.029 --> 00:26:37.309
I love talking about carbs.
00:26:37.549 --> 00:26:38.349
Me too, me too.
00:26:38.509 --> 00:26:39.789
There's gummy bears.
00:26:40.109 --> 00:26:46.670
This was this is a lot of fun to research for and just talk about because it's so it's so different for everybody.
00:26:46.750 --> 00:26:49.069
And I feel like everyone always has questions about it.
00:26:49.230 --> 00:26:56.750
And it's been quite a journey, I'm sure, for you, but also for me in like figuring out what gels work best in all the things.
00:26:56.909 --> 00:26:58.349
So yes.
00:26:58.670 --> 00:26:59.950
Yes, absolutely.
00:27:00.190 --> 00:27:00.750
So fun.
00:27:00.909 --> 00:27:01.230
Cool.
00:27:01.389 --> 00:27:02.190
All right, Emily.
00:27:02.349 --> 00:27:07.789
Thanks, and we look forward to your next educational topic that you're gonna teach us about.
00:27:08.109 --> 00:27:08.750
Thanks, Chris.
00:27:08.829 --> 00:27:10.109
I'm looking forward to it too.