Training & Nutrition - Lance and Team guzzling coke and Powerade? Talk about a HFCS fest!

I was watching Chasing Lance last night, and they were talking about the food and drink the cyclists were consuming on the Tour de Georgia. Two of them were Powerade and Coke! I understand that this is a sponsorship deal, but I find it strange that these high level athletes would be guzzling a product that supposedly has a fuel that is very inefficient and bad for you (according to the recent threads in this forum). What's going on here??? :eek:

nothing better that slamming a coke or 2 after hammering for 80+ miles.... but thats just me.

the coke and gatorade have sugars which are great after a hard workout!

coke is a toughie, but powerade really isn't that bad if you dilute it a bit.

maybe they're having a coke with the evening meal. with the amount these guys consume while they're touring, i doubt one coke would have an impact on you the next day.


i'm a fan of a few tortilla chips before, water during, and an apple after. or watermelon...mmmm...

I'm a Pepsi guy myself, but I figure drinking from the blue can in Georgia is likely to get you shot.

i can't remember which year or stage, but i remember watching one TDF and a rider passed by a group of fans and took a can of coke from somebody and put it in his jersey pocket.

actually, there is some substantial information out there on the internets identifying Coke as a decent --not best-- performance drink. One article I came across noted it as a good last resort.

Check this out: http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~exsc370/04lecture16.ppt

and this: http://www.trifuel.com/triathlon/run/a-guide-to-fluid-intake-for-marathon-000382.php

Of course, with everything else, what works for you may not work for Lance and Co., and vice versa....

Coke has long been a staple of the Iron Distance triathlon races. Usually flat though, as the carbonation can be tough for people to handle after having been going for 10+ hours.

They were getting cokes in their feed bags at the TDG.

the coke and gatorade have sugars which are great after a hard workout!

Not Gatorade, Powerade, which is owned by Coke. The major ingredient is High Fructose Corn Syrup, same with Coke.

I'm not saying that it doesn't work, but with the huge fuss made on this forum (and the internet in general) about High Fructose Corn Syrup as a terrible source of fuel to be avoided at all costs, I am amazed they would be using it on rides. Maybe it's not as bad as people think? I was just amazed that's all.

The requirements for what's comsumed during lengthy periods of exercise, and especially during hard races,
is totally different to the requirements of "everyday" folk :)

These activities require quickly digested, high glycaemic carbohydrates, such as glucose, sucrose or dextrose (or whatever the latest greatest mixture is), preferably mixed at ~6% solution. This tops up blood glucose, therefore (ideally) preserving some muscle glycogen, therefore prolonging endurance.

High glycaemic foods are also usually eaten during recovery, but the health aspects of this practise producing insulin spikes is not really yet known.

The average Joe who doesn't really exercise much, or at least not for great duration and intensity, would be best to avoid high glycaemic foods and drinks.

I'm not saying that it doesn't work, but with the huge fuss made on this forum (and the internet in general) about High Fructose Corn Syrup as a terrible source of fuel to be avoided at all costs, I am amazed they would be using it on rides. Maybe it's not as bad as people think? I was just amazed that's all. Generally, these fuels would be terrible sources of energy, but during a longish race, requirements totally change.

For those who haven't seen the HFCS threads, this is what I speak of:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=111588

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=111900


There is this coke machine in the middle of our long 57 mile ride. It has Powerade and water, no Gatorade or anything else. I thought (based on what I read in the above threads) that it would be a very bad idea to go for the Powerade, but maybe it doesn't matter on a hard ride.

I just wish I had a definitive answer about the stuff, I just finished getting rid of all the yogurt and baked goods that have it! I have almost a HFCS free home! LOL

Maybe there's rum in it? :D

Koffee

I find that a cold coke after a long hot ride is refreshing. Powerade on the other hand is not. I definatly like Gatorade over Powerade.

There is still a lot to be learned about HFCS. Studies don't really focus on people who burn all the calories. Seems to be biggest issue is over excessive calories consumption, not HFCS alone. But because of the low cost of HFCS and consumer desire (increased by marketing) for sweets there are too many ways to get too many calories thru this processed calorie source. There is also backlash against HFCS not solely because it may be bad for you, but because its not naturally occuring, instead a raw output of indusrial agriculture.

Al

I was watching Chasing Lance last night, and they were talking about the food and drink the cyclists were consuming on the Tour de Georgia. Two of them were Powerade and Coke! I understand that this is a sponsorship deal, but I find it strange that these high level athletes would be guzzling a product that supposedly has a fuel that is very inefficient and bad for you (according to the recent threads in this forum). What's going on here??? :eek:

I suspect the Discovery team missed the threads here on the evils of high fructose corn syrup. ;)

The sugar in the coke helps a bit, but I think the caffeine level plays a factor as well. I have heard some guys down a few shots of espresso during long races, then washing down with a recovery drink of some kind.

That much caffeine is bound to fire you up (legally), and the recovery drink gives you real fuel.

Screw that, if it feels good, do it.

Maybe that's why Gu, Clif, and others put caffeine in some of thier gels?

Those guys burn something like 8-9000 calories per day. I suspect that they will make short work of whatever calories they injest. I don't think they are too concerned that corn syrup is going to make them fat or slow them down.

Maybe that's why Gu, Clif, and others put caffeine in some of thier gels?

Those guys burn something like 8-9000 calories per day. I suspect that they will make short work of whatever calories they injest. I don't think they are too concerned that corn syrup is going to make them fat or slow them down.

I agree with you. I know that after a road race my HRM says I've burned in the area of 3500 calories on avg. add that to the 2000 it takes just to live and your jacked up metabolism after a race... all that adds up to me not caring what I drink..

3/4 coke, 1/4 diet coke with a sprite spritz from the fountain is mmmm good.

Guy or Gal waiting for the 1st and 15th chasin' down a box 'a ho-ho's with a coke IS NOT the same as a world class athlete ingesting a soda during excersise.

The athletes body doesnt care the delivery system, just get me some fuel! You also run into the palatibility of the delivery system. Ever ridden so hard that afterwards you dont EVER want to see anything sweet again?! I think you have to consider that something a guy is willing and eager to ingest plays a part in his diet.

I bring gatorade with me on my rides. It's actually not that bad for you, though water is best. I love coke but no longer feel the need to drink it anymore.

whether i have coke or gatorade or whatever, i usually always feel the need to wash it down with water at the end. it's the best cleanser.

Just because people on this forum have opinions on certain foods people should be consuming, doesn't make them correct. The sugar from the coke is used to ward off a bonk or give them the energy they need to finish off the race. Coke is just used as a supplement to get them through until they can either get some more substantial fuel or be done with the race.
When it comes to nutrition, do not believe what most people are saying and take a good look at any sources they quote, most studies are funded by companies who want a specific result and it is very easy to craft a study that will get the results wanted.

Guys, I wasn't talking about Gatorade, it was Powerade! But point taken. I get that when you are riding at their level it probably doesn't matter what you consume. I just figured with how carefully athletes fuss over their nutrition, they would insist on the most easily usable fuel that's all.

Outside the US, the Coca-Cola Co. uses real sugar for their products.

Outside the US, the Coca-Cola Co. uses real sugar for their products.

And if you know where to look, you can find Mexican Coke here. So much better tasting and it comes in a glass bottle, the way God intended.

I was watching Chasing Lance last night, and they were talking about the food and drink the cyclists were consuming on the Tour de Georgia. Two of them were Powerade and Coke! I understand that this is a sponsorship deal, but I find it strange that these high level athletes would be guzzling a product that supposedly has a fuel that is very inefficient and bad for you (according to the recent threads in this forum). What's going on here??? :eek:

What's "going on" is that people are severely misinformed about the so-called "dangers" of HFCS. It's no less (or more) efficient than plain ol' sugar and no worse (or better) for you.

As soon as Robbie gets back onto the bunch, he's gonna enjoy that Coke!!

If you watch todays coverage you can see the lotto guys handing the 8oz cokes to each other

Put the lime in the Coke, then you feel better,
Put the lime in the Coke, drink them both up,
Put the lime in the Coke, and call me in the morning
Wouh wouh wouh wouh wouh

Apologies to Harry Nillson. Although a cuba libre sounds better to me. Get that soft drink up on its feet. :)

And if you know where to look, you can find Mexican Coke here. So much better tasting and it comes in a glass bottle, the way God intended.
Yes! If you're lucky, you might be able to find some soft drinks that still use cane sugar instead of HFCS. Talk about the way it was intended...I'd club the wearer of the maillot jaune off of the road on nothing more than the promise of a Coke or Dr. Pepper mixed with cane sugar in a glass bottle. Club him silly I would.

I'd wager that you could eat anything, in moderation, after riding 10+ hours.

HFCS is crap, and doesn't offer you anything you can't get better from real food sources. If its in something your buying, i.e. bread, there's a reason for it, they're not concerned about putting out a healthy product, they are concerned about being cheap as hell and making your body pay the price difference. IMHO.

I'm glad this thread is de-demonizing coke for me. I hardly ever drink it, because it is not the best for you, but I am not above drinking one when I need alot of quick calories and some caffine - like at an 8 hour work shift with a fifteen minute lunch break. Besides I think it is yummy.

read the coke label i think it's like 39 grams of carbs in 12 oz, i may be wrong about exact # of carbs but it is high in carbs more than sports drink's

Right on.........just when you need the extra boost to finish off your 70 miles training ride.


nothing better that slamming a coke or 2 after hammering for 80+ miles.... but thats just me.

Occasionally I have resorted to a Coke or Pepsi to get me through a long and difficult ride. However, you have to be careful if you pour it in to your water bottle and drink it during your ride. After riding over some bumpy pavement, I almost blew my tonsils off while opening the bottle!

Well theres lots of carbs and sugars in coke and powerade and witht he amount of energy their burning riding those distances they need all they can get. I bet their calorie intake during races must be amazingly high

Oh i have to agree I was in Germany riding a 100+ miler and near the 75 mile mark I stoped and grabed a liter coke and boy what a boost that was. WHOOOO HOOOOO

Since when is drinking coke and powerade illegal? Jesus.

The small Coke cans that they hand to the riders in their feed musettes have been a staple of riders for many years. I don't think that these riders could care less what sugar is in the can.