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Old 08-12-20 | 11:53 PM
  #3  
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canklecat
Me duelen las nalgas
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Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Texas

Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel

Sounds like a dietary issue. Hard exercise can exacerbate some dietary intolerance. Especially if you're using some snacks and beverages targeted toward fitness.

Check the labels. If the snacks or beverages contain sugar alcohols like maltitol it may cause painful intestinal gas. I had to stop using energy and protein bars that contained maltitol, the most common sugar alcohol. Supposedly erythritol is easier on the digestion but I haven't tried it. Sugar alcohols have some benefits for athletes but the digestion issue makes them challenging to use for some folks.

Ditto maltodextrin, although I haven't had any problems with it. It's one of the main ingredients in sports snacks, including most gels.

I also avoid most vegan protein powders and snacks. I can't digest legumes without ferocious gas and digestive enzymes help only a little. I tried many varieties in 2018 and never found any legume proteins that agreed with me. The least bad is the little bit of soy isolate in Clif bars, which can make me a little gassy but are otherwise okay. Larabars seem okay too.

So I mostly prefer whey protein powder or meat. My digestion does fine with those. I used to have some problems with lactose intolerance about 20 years ago but that's mostly cleared up now. Occasionally I'll drink a large chocolate malt from Braum's or some other place and feel a bit bloated but not bad. When I buy milk or chocolate milk I get the lactose free or A2 milk. I do fine with those. No problems with butter, kefir or yogurt. I rarely eat ice cream, other than the occasional shake or malt.

While gluten intolerance and celiac disease are fairly uncommon in real life (compared with pop culture "wellness" fads), mostly confined to some genotypes, but worth considering if you do consume bread, pizza and other items that commonly contain gluten protein.

And if you don't use much or any salt, try adding some electrolytes to your water bottle for bike rides. I add them to almost every water bottle, although occasionally I'll take one of plain water for dousing my head during long hot summer rides.
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