My nutrition for K2 and Taupowas as follows:

Two bottles sports drink at full concentration (Horleys Replace or Leppin Enduro Booster in my case) plus two bottles plain water. Food was energy bars cut into portion sizes (equivalent carbs to 1/4 powerbar) and a bag of wine gums (jelly beans just as good). Also 6+ gels according to estimated time. Substitute the two water bottles for a camelback if you like the camel thing. For more than 5 hours I will bung the food into a top tube food bag thingy.

In each hour divided into 15 minute chunks I consume:

15 mins - 1/4 bottle sports drink
30 mins - bar portion + up to 1/4 bottle water
45 mins - 1/4 bottle sports drink
60 mins - 5 lollies + up to 1/4 bottle water

I heave the first two bottles when they are empty (at a drink station being a tidy kiwi) and refill the remaining two with water when I get the chance. Then I drink gels and water instead of the sports drink for the remainder of the event.

Following the clock and volumes strictly means you don't forget to drink which helps stave off dehydration and keeps the fuel going in. And always consuming either sports drink or food + water means you are always taking in electrolytes and that helps avoid hyponatremia.

Whatever you do, practice using the method you decide on for a long ride to be sure the mix agrees with your system so you don't end up looking for a dunny or a bush unexpectedly.

I'm prepared to be contradicted, I know bugger all about the mechanics of nutrition and am just following a sports nutritionists advice.