Training & Nutrition - Gatorade

First the disclaimer: Sorry if this comes across as rude, but this post is about Gatorade and Gatorade only. Not about “I prefer water or brand x” or anything else like that.

That said, what flavor of Gatorade do you prefer? I’m somewhat of a traditionalist and prefer the original lemon-lime. It seems to taste the best and more importantly the most effective in stimulating saliva. On the other hand fruit punch and orange flavors do nothing for me and seem no more effective than Hawaiian punch. The reason this came up is that last week I went to my local market to buy some Gatorade and they were all out of L-L. They had all kinds of funky flavors like Ice, Berry, Melon, etc. I guess someone out there likes these flavors? So, what are your favor flavors?

Gatorade LINK (http://www.gatorade.com/#)

I like the fierce line, it's nice and strong for after the ride. During the ride most of the time I go with lime or strawberry ice, light flavor, easily diluted, and my tongue stays its normal color (Yes, that's important for me).

-Middi-zon

I'll vote for the original L-L flavor too. Of course, I really can't tell that much difference between the zillions of other flavors of it!

Paul

I like Riptide Rush, Fierce Grape and Lemon-Lime. I have found RR and LL in large packages for mixing at home. The easy benefit is that I can dilute it easily. I am usually willing to try some of the new flavors also, but those are my my favorites.

Lemon- Lime

When I ride I use Lemon Lime cause I buy it in bulk powder and mix it. I add salt to all my drinks when I ride. I love the orange flavor the best.

LL here! Some of the others give me heart burn on long rides!

Lemon lime for me!

I'm with you, Bobsled. If it ain't lemon/lime, I don't want it. I usually shop at a military commissary, but when they were out, I hightailed it to Costco and bought a big, economy size.

I also carry extra poweder with me to make more. On really hot humid days, I can go through four 22 oz bottles of the stuff in just 3 hours or less.

Has anyone noticed that the different flavors of Gatorade actually contain different ingrediants? I've noticed a performance difference with the different flavors (colors.) Anyone else notice this anomoly?

Just to add to this, is it ok to water down Gatorade, or do you loose the benafit of its repleneshment?
It is kinda sweet for me so I was wondering if you could do this without making it unbalanced?

Fruit punch here...just a matter of taste. I really didn't notice any difference in the other flavors. Just a matter of taste.

Lemon Lime for me and usually diluted 1/2 and 1/2 or just a little less. Sometimes I will take it full strength in one bottle and have my second bottle filled with just water. I don't like having just the gatorade with me and I need the water for drinking with the gels that I take on longer rides.

try the watermelon flavor

I'm a L-L fan, and i do one bottle of gatorade and one of water....

works for me.

1. Orange. Yum.

2. astonv0l- watering down.. sure it's ok. It just means you are getting less sugar and salt(s) in each swallow. Just as it would be OK to drink 16 ounces of the stuff.. its ok to drink 32 ounces of the stuff with 50/50 water. Frankly the water is the most important part of it!

3. A tip for those who drink Gatorade. Some convieniance stores have gatorade in the fountain drink machine... Now I don;t know if its better or worse 'on tap' but it sure as heck is CHEAPER. At a local 7-11 I can get 64 OZ for $1.19. And REFILLS on the 64 ounce cup are just .79!!! Go stick it in yer fridge. I don;t really drink Gatorade much, but if I did this would be the way I'd buy it. (The L-L seems to be the most common flavor too!)

cAPS

I like the lemon-lime Gatorade. I buy a large can of Gatorade powder at Walmart for $7 +. There are 96 servings in one can of powder. That comes out to what? Maybe 7 cents a serving? A bottle of liquid Gatorade has gotta be over a dollar. I dump one scoop into my water bottle and fill it up with water and shake it.

I used to buy Power Bars, but have switched to little raison boxes you can also get at Walmart. I think you can get ten boxes for less than $2. Power Bars are what -- more than a buck apiece? And they're hard to unwrap, especially in the heat. The raisons seem to give me the same energy as a Power Bar. Occasionally, I also buy fig newtons, and put a few into a sandwich bag. I heard on the OLN tv network that many of the Tour guys eat fig newtons for quick energy during the race.

Gatorade, or should I say Kool Aid with a pinch of salt and potassium added. Lemon lime is my preference also. Orange a close second. Fruit punch for a change after using the first two choices too long.

Originally posted by Aerow
Has anyone noticed that the different flavors of Gatorade actually contain different ingrediants? I've noticed a performance difference with the different flavors (colors.) Anyone else notice this anomoly?

All except the Lemon Lime contain Partially Hydrogenated Cotton Seed/Palm oil.
Which is a trans fatty acid and not very healthy.

I like the LL 50/50 mixture.

At one time Gatorade produced a flavor called Lemon Ice. It tasted like a water with a lemon twist in it. It lasted about 4 months and then they came out with Lime Ice and Orange Ice, and did away with the lemon flavor. I wrote them a message to tell them how good it was, and got back one, that it didn't sell well, and they may bring it back at a later date. But it was good....

lemon lime but I don't use gatorade much.
At one time they marketed an Ice Tea flavoured gatorade,
it was perfect (at least for anyone in the south who drinks
suhweet tea), wish they'd bring that one back.

Marty

I buy the bulk powder mix and it only comes in orange or fruit punch. I prefer the fruit punch. I'll have to try lemon-lime.

I don't use GatorAde, product x is MUCH better.
j/k

I like the Lime Ice or Orange Ice. They are the only ones I'll drink.

Originally posted by lotek
lemon lime but I don't use gatorade much.
At one time they marketed an Ice Tea flavoured gatorade,
it was perfect (at least for anyone in the south who drinks
suhweet tea), wish they'd bring that one back.

Marty

sweet tea flavored gatorade?? man, as a native, and still, southerner, that would be cool. i've never even heard of that.


later

Lemon lime at 50% dilution.

All except the Lemon Lime contain Partially Hydrogenated Cotton Seed/Palm oil.
Which is a trans fatty acid and not very healthy.

Anything with "trans fatty" in the name sounds like it should be avoided.

I think people referred to me that way when I first started riding my bike to work! There goes ol' "trans fatty" again! :D

When I drink Gatorade, I perfer citrus or lemon lime. The citrus is getting hard to find (it is a yellowish color). I usually dilute Gatorade to 50-75% original potentcy.

Lemon-lime from the powder for me, normally diluted to half to one-third strength.

The only other flavor I sometimes drink is the berry - all the 'blue' flavors just don't do it for me! Though if the trans-fatty-acid comment is true, I might start avoiding the berry too...

I got 64 oz Double Big Gulp of lemon lime after practice today, paid $1.38 for it, and since I saved the cup, there are $.83 refills. drank it all in 15 minutes and I'm still not clear and copious...I think I lost about 10 lbs in water weight today.

any way, I'd have to say that I like lemon lime, but orange is the best during a ride. blue rasperry is best during lunch, as it has the strongest flavor. bad for a ride though, too sweet. fruit punch tastes like robitussin. Riptide rush tastes like dimatap.

Lemon-Line seems to be a clear favorite.

Aerow, any performance difference is in your head. Gatorade is just expensive sugar water.

I have to say that I love the Lemon Lime! I even drink it for juice in the am for breakfast. My wife thinks that I am nuts.

I buy the bulk powder and use it that way!