Fig Newtons vs Gels
 

Would you all consider Fig Newtons a good alternative to consuming gels on long rides/events? comparing the sources of calories and convenience to consume from each, your opinions
why or why not? good source of energy in a Fig Newton , to a gel like Hammer Gel?

Personally I prefer eating something of substance. I haven't had a typical grocery store Fig Newton in quite a while, but I found a version made by Nature's Bakery made from whole wheat with no dairy or transfat that I usually eat when the bag of granola and raisins starts to get low. 2 newtons is 220 calories/40g of carbs/20g of sugar. I suppose if I was a racer, the convenience of the gels would outweigh the relaxation of munching a few bars on the side of the road every so often.

Keith

For caloric intake, the Newtons are better. For quick caloric intake, gel. Gel first, water, then Newtons. Gels are only like 80 cal a piece. Unless you are super efficient, you'll need a handful of gels to keep going.

My road staple "energy bar" has been dried apricots for nearly 50years. BITD bananas were the go to food, but I had bad luck carrying them for 5+ hours in the July heat, and switched to apricots which worked so well for so long that I never found a reason to look at alternatives.

BTW- Fig Newtons, sound like a reasonable energy food, offering both fast uptake sugars, and slower uptake starches. What counts is how you like them, whether they make you too thirsty, and if they work well for you. I say give them a go.

Either way, they're probably a less costly alternative to things like Goo.

I also throw in dried apples and apricots in my granola/raisin bag.

Keith

Comparison, e-Gel vs. Hammer Gel - Energy Gel Comparison, shows more calories plus extra electros. Faster absorbing and easier absorbing than solids.

If you need to chew to feel that you have ingested energy, then a gel is not your thing, but for ease and effectiveness.....I just make sure I always have them.

BTW, more potassium from apricots than bananas

When I get close to a bonk, a gel lasts me 5-7 miles. I prefer munching on Fig Newtons and four of them (or similar stuff, like one Trader Joe's blueberry bars) will get me another 20 miles or so.

To put it another way, I think of a gel as a way to get the last few miles to a SAG stop. Fig Newtons are part of a day-long, unsupported ride eating plan.

Real food mo' betta

I would eat anything but gels unless I am on the verge of bonking.

Depends on that long ride. For riders who just want to go on a long ride for recreation, it doesn't matter that much. But if that long ride means being in the "A Group" and averaging 25 mph, then it's a different demand.

Bonking and cramps, especially when temperatures are high could indicate something else, not particularly figs or gels.

I prefer liquid energy as solid foods seems to make me sluggish. I have used and like gels, but I just make my own at home as I'm cheap and buying those little packs add up fast especially if your using 3-4 over a long ride. A big bag of malto and some dextrose or honey powder in a baggie that you add to water works wonders.

Although a flask of Hammer Gel in the jersey pocket can be a good thing to have. IIRC that's ~500 calories. Hammer says anything > 3 hrs. and you should include protein. I think they're right.

I like Fig Newtons as a snack/treat (also the berry versions). Not sure I'd want them as a primary fuel source during rides though, as the fiber/whole-grain content might cause stomach unpleasantness especially if eating a lot of them. But if they don't bother you, I don't see a problem.

For more casual supported rides with rest stops, I'll munch on solids when we stop (usually some sort of cookies if available). But while riding (and especially while racing) I stick to mostly liquid calories, supplemented with gels if needed for longer rides. The Hammer Gel flask is convenient since it holds several gel packets' worth and you don't have to mess with opening wrappers while riding 25+ in a crowded field of racers.

I have no position on which one will help you more on a ride.
But from an environmental stance; I wish riders eat anything
else but gels. I haven't seen a wrapper of fig newton on the
side of the road in my years of cycling in different cities. Gel
wrappers on the other hand - everywhere cyclists pass.

Yep!

I can't stand the gels. The problem with Fig Newtons is that the outer dough can be like a mouthful of alum if you are low on water to wash it down.

I've switched to Paydays.

Must be cultural. Here, there are zero gel wrappers on the road. I'm not sure why. My guess is that no one I know uses packaged gels and most folks use the Hammer Gel and flask if they use gel at all, which not many people do. Shot Blocks are fairly popular though, and don't have the nasty associated with gels and wrappers. I do see banana peels though, and wish I didn't. Banana peels on an asphalt shoulder are not OK.

1 gel = 2 fig newtons = 1 banana = 16 oz sports drink = 8 oz fruit juice = ~100 cal. On long rides, consume ~100 cal every half hour.

Apart from liking them, I hadn't really considered dried apricots until your post. The 300k this past weekend made me a believer: they're really easy to eat, and you can go long distances without getting tired of them. Thanks for the recommendation. :thumb:

Not a fan of gels. Just get dried figs, no processed white flour like with fig newtons. Dried figs and apricots are my go to foods. That and real food like bacon, pb banana honey sandwiches etc. On my longer mt bike rides, say 4-8 hours, we will stop, stretch and eat. A couple of times.

FWIW, the fig newtons that I carry come in packs of two - 110 kcal each, 220 for the 2-pack. I am a fan.

Is this per gm, per mouthful or per piece of fruit? Seriously what do you mean by more? I currently don't have access to nutrition tables ...

As a long time believer of dried apricot as on-the-road food, I suspect that the comparison may be biased. I haven't checked lately, but suspect that people are comparing dried apricots to fresh bananas. Figuring that fresh fruits have high percentages of water, comparing any dried fruit to another whole fruit is pretty meaningless, unless it's just a practical comparison based on how people would be eating them.

BTW- here's a table showing the potassium content of various foods. It shows that 1/4 cup of dried apricots has about 90% of the potassium of medium banana which is much more than 1/4 cup in volume. Whether 1/4 cup of dried fruit is an easier to eat snack than a whole banana is up to you.

BTW- apricots have more potassium per calorie, which may be the measure that supports the claim that they're richer in potassium than bananas.


http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=449276

Using this link shows dehydrated apricot higher than dehydrated banana then dried apricot 4th.....Nutrient Ranking Tool

Potasium

Highest

Fruits and Fruit Juices

200

Thank you for this information. the table/chart makes it simple :thumb:

Good suggestion about apricots. I hadn't considered them.

I carry one gel packet in my seat bag for "emergencies." Most of the time, I simply eat a granola bar and/or a banana. I haven't used energy bars in years. Not only are they much more expensive than other options, but are more calories than I need on most rides. Bottles of gel seem like a great way to over-consume. I have ridden with guys who sip from their gel bottles like it was water and must be consuming more calories than they are burning. That's fine if you are trying to gain weight, but that usually isn't the case.