Training & Nutrition - Gu, Powerbar, Clifbar, oh my!

Alright, so is there any difference between this junk and a good ole snickers bar? I suppose Snickers can get a little messy in warmer weather. But really, should we believe the hype of these so called 'performance bars'?

Whaddayathink?

Dave

I have done numerous rides exceeding 200km without ever buying a powerbar in my life. I don't see the need for them. I wouldn't bother with the snickers bar either. I prefer to just find myself a bakery somewhere along the way and go with the old bread rolls. They have never failed me.

I think Power Bars etc. etc. are a marketing product.

As Chris said, the old standbys work just as well.

I've eaten lots of PBJ, fig bars, banannas and cookies on long rides.

I can find better things to spend my money on than over priced food that someone says I need. (rant) :rolleyes:

ENERVIT DRINKS/TABLETS AND PROMAX BARS GOOD!!

From "Formula Food" hater

Ride Fueled
Pat

To be honest, the thing I like the most about energy bars is the nutritional information label. For a variety of reasons -- that I won't go into here -- that information is very important to me. I know what I'm getting when I eat a standardized, packaged Balance bar. I have no idea of the nutritional composition of a snickers bar or a roll from the local bakery.

So... it really comes down to the convenience of knowing the quantities of nutrients that I;m getting, as well as the convenience of not having something turn to goo [not Gu, mind you] in my pocket.

Snickers and other chocky bars give you a sugar hit, a blood sugar high, followed by a trough.
Complex carbohydrates give a slower release, and a more consistant blood sugar level.
Power bars etc are better than snickers, but not significantly better than a banana or a savoury bread roll/sandwich.

Bananas are smart food, in the sense that you can tune the ratio of simple carbohydrates (quick fix) to complex carbohydrates (slow release). Just leave the yellow banana to ripen, the more black spots, the more sugars.

Power bars are useful to stash in your bag for an emergency. mainly becasue they have a good wrapper and dont melt.

I always carry a cliff bar and a packet of Gu on every ride.

They are compact, and if I don't use them on a ride, I know they'll be ok by the next.

I find the beneifits of these much better than candy, which I avoid.

As Velocipedio stated, knowing whats inside is a plus.

Regarding the commercial bars, is any one brand really more nutritious than any others or does it just come down to personal preference/taste? I like the flavor of Balance Bars, although the chocolate tends to melt -- fine if it's not a warm summer day. Power Bars and Tiger's Milk Bars are ok though.

I always look at it as it being MEGA convenient to use the powerbars and nowadays the goo packets while exercising. I can rip open the wrapper and pound down some instant nutrition to help me down the road. Of course I get the same assistance from stopping at a rest stop on an invitational ride or hitting the local bakery like you mention, but you cant do that ON the bike like you can with the "power bar" products.