Training & Nutrition - GUs vs Bars?

A friend claims GU-type products don't last as long energy-wise (not shelf life) as a Powerbar. If true and not imagined, is it because GUs are only 1/2 of the carbs of a Powerbar (I don't think he realized that) or is it because of their liquid consistency? Or, maybe it is all imagined?

In my experience I got a quicker jolt after eating the GU stuff but the energy in the Cliff bars I eat seemed to keep me going longer. I must admit though after eating those Gu energy packets for the first time I had an all new respect for female porn stars

Gels tend to have fewer calories per-serving than bars, so I suspect that's what your friend is getting at. For example, one Hammer gel has 100 calories, whereas a Clif Bar has 250. Additionally, most bars have protein in them, whereas gels do not. Protein isn't so important when you're only riding for a short period of time (nor are carbs, for that matter), but for longer rides it's generally a good idea to include some protein in your food.

I prefer to start with gels (mostly because Hammer espresso gel is delicious and I like the caffeine at 530am), then switch to Clif Bars and Perpetuem after 2 or 3 hours.

In my experience I got a quicker jolt after eating the GU stuff but the energy in the Cliff bars I eat seemed to keep me going longer. I must admit though after eating those Gu energy packets for the first time I had an all new respect for female porn stars

Hahaha! I've found that GU Orange Blast and Powerbar Apple are quite palatable but Clif Strawberry had major gag-factor.

I must concur regarding the GU orange blast.

They both don't last as long as my dates.

A friend claims GU-type products don't last as long energy-wise (not shelf life) as a Powerbar. If true and not imagined, is it because GUs are only 1/2 of the carbs of a Powerbar (I don't think he realized that) or is it because of their liquid consistency? Or, maybe it is all imagined?

Your friend is correct because of the carb (sugar) comparison for each. Gu uses simple sugars that break down quickly in the body. Use Gu when you need that quick jolt of energy, like when you're feeling the bonk coming on. Powerbars have higher protein content, and the sugars they use are a little more complex, which is good when you want that extra carbo boost before you start your workout. Powerbar recommends eating a powerbar 1- 2 hours before your workout, which gives you enough time to metabolize the bar and get the benefits from the content. Gu- that's for the quick energy boost. Gu and Powerbar are used during different parts of your workout for different reasons.

koffee

Powerbar recommends eating a powerbar 1- 2 hours before your workout,

Of course they do: you'll buy more product that way.

I recommend saving the space food for on the bike eating, and consuming real food before and after riding. Real food is healthier and cheaper.

Of course they do: you'll buy more product that way.

I recommend saving the space food for on the bike eating, and consuming real food before and after riding. Real food is healthier and cheaper.


Ummmmm... of course they do- because if you think you can really eat a powerbar, then go out and use it as an energy source within minutes of eating them, then you're seriously unglued. The sugars in a powerbar take time to metabolize. It DOESN'T mean that you'll end up eating more powerbars... it means you eat them long enough before your workout so your body can break down the sugars for you to use efficiently. It's a little sophomoric to assue that you're eating more of the product as a result. Done correctly, you don't have to eat more of it.

I'm not seeing a lot of connection out of discouraging people from getting a powerbar (or cliff, or balance, or whatever energy bar you'd like) because they'd prefer that to a meal. Sure, you can get other foods, such as oatmeal, before your workout, but for people like me, eating a meal other than a powerbar or something along those lines really doesn't sit well in my stomach. A powerbar does so without filling me up or making me feel like I've got a brick metabolizing in my stomach. Uuuuugh.

koffee