Fruits vs energy gels

I never liked the idea of taking energy gels. I didn't listen to all these commercials telling you that you have to take one every 40-50 minutes, or forget running a marathon. I tried once and my stomach suffered a lot. Then somebody told me I need to take these during my training long runs so that my stomach can adjust. I thought about it and I came to a conclusion that if my body doesn't accept this it means it cannot be good for you. Since then I don't eat anything during a marathon. I can easily run few hours without food. I only need to make sure I drink enough (and usually take some isotonic drink half way).

But running ultras is a different story. Here it is so important how often you eat and what you take in. I did many races where I didn't care much about nutrition. All I cared about was how do I look on the race day. So 2-3 weeks before the race I used to starve myself to look good. I felt like crap but at least I was 6-8 pounds lighter. When the race started I usually was going quite well for the first half and dying the second one, only trying to survive to the end. I used to go on chocolate bars, rolls with cheese and coke. No wonder I was feeling and performing bad. Few times I didn't finish because my body refused to go any further and then I was peeing blood every few minutes in a burning pain.

This was so stupid.

Since I decided to make a turn in my life and watch what I am actually eating my nutrition during long runs and races consists of fruit pouches, bananas, watermelons, oat bars, water and - if going more than 50 miles - isotonics. Sometimes red bull but only when I have troubles to stay awake overnight. But I try to avoid this as I know this is really bad for your system.

Here I want to share my thoughts on fruit pouches that I found a great and healthy alternative to energy gels. Even my husband, who does triathlons,  gave it a try and he decided to switch to these as well.

Ingredients of an average energy gel: 24,1 g of carbs, of which 16,3 g is sugar. salt 0,39g, protein 0 g, fat 0 g. Total weight: 50g, Calories: 100.

Ingredients of a fruit pouch: 19 g carbs, of which 18g sugars, salt 0,03 g, protein 0,09 g, fat 0g, fibre 1,9 g. Total weight: 100g, Calories: 100.

The difference is in a type of sugar mainly. I don't need to explain that fructose is much more healthy than artificial sugars put into energy gels. And you don't have these sugar highs and lows, once you eat these regularly during race you feel fine all the time. 

The only disadvantage I can see is weight. Fruit pouches are twice heavier. But in long races usually you have points where you can leave your drop bags. So you can plan how many of these you will take with you for each stage of the race. It also depends what else is provided on the check points. If they have bananas, oranges or any other fruits - you can take less of these pouches and mix with the whole fruits.

At the end everybody chooses what works for them. I found these little pouches very energizing, refreshing and handy. If you are looking for some healthy options then give it a try on your next long run.

Enjoy :)