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Fueling for Workouts with Non-Processed Foods?

rboglerbogle
in General Training Discussions

So Im a big believer in fueling for workouts with the same protocol as racing both for practice and recovery. In the race build phase I use the same stuff as on the course, so i can practice 'living off the land' during the race. 

BUT what about the other 40weeks of the year? Thats a lot of processed food, raw sugar, additives, etc. I probably could consume 15-20 gels a week if I was fueling religiously, not to mention all the buckets of perform. What kinds of alternatives for 'in exercise' and post exercise fueling do folks use which are natural and less or even un-processed. Replacements for Gels? Replacements for Liquid nutrition? 

Comments

  • rlh2000rlh2000
    Very interested in this as well. While I definitely buy into the theory of the Core Diet and what Patrick has talked about with fueling our workouts, if I really do that as the Core Diet recommends and am conservative the rest of the day (trying to lose weight), I end up with a very significant chunk (1/3 to 1/2!!) of my calories coming from fake crap every day. Just doesn't seem healthy to me...

    I have had success in HIM with larabars, even though I know many would argue that is gut suicide. I almost always have a banana before a workout instead of a gel. I have tried a mashed up banana during a run, but found that part of what makes gels so great is that they are concentrated- little volume for the calories. Gulping down a banana has similar calories to a gel, but a whole lot more volume.

    Have you looked at the Lim rice cakes? Or I even have a friend who carries a flask of honey with a little water mixed in, still sugar but a bit more natural. Interested in hearing people's thoughts!
  • rboglerbogle

    @Rachel, I use bananas as well especially as the pre-workout gel replacement. I've noticed now many heath food stores and groceries are carrying the pureed fruit/veg mixes in ~3oz packets. This might be great for rides and runs if the volume/calorie ratio wasn't so high (same cals as a gel but twice the volume) anyone tried them?

    Heres a link to  2nd in 3-part article about honey as fuel source : http://lavamagazine.com/the-first-leg-is-honey-water-holy-water-for-triathlon-success/

    Up shot was worked great for Half IM, but not for full IM ( of course there were mitigating factors as it was Tahoe)

  • Emily BrinkleyEmily Brinkley
    I have been trying all kinds of things out since I did my first HIM in Raleigh this past June. I discovered Generation UCan, and although they have a bunch of additives in their flavored products, I have found the plain flavor mixed with Vega Sport recovery accelerator or performance protein has worked wonders for me. I won't bore you with all of the details on it... but it might be worth reading up on. I'm happy to answer any questions about it (or try to.) Bottom line, it has been a great alternative for me to maintain my race weight +3 lbs (thanks holidays) while providing the energy to nail every one of my workouts.

    I also use honey in pretty much everything. Earth Fare banana chips (and dark choc banana chips) and almonds have become a go to post workout snack as well.
  • kyliejeankyliejean
    I mostly make my own gels and sports drinks to avoid all the "extras" (mostly based on recipes from a book called thrive) It does add up to a bit of kitchen time but the gels freeze so I do a big batch that will last a few weeks. Have also just tried a new product called Amazeballs from a small business called Athlete's Kitchen and seriously love em for the bike, but I'm in Australia so that's possibly not much use for you, sorry. White bread with Vegemite is also my fave (and okay'd by my sports dietician) for the later part of long runs when I am over sweet stuff but again I'm thinking most of you won't like/be able to try that idea either! Vegemite being an acquired taste and all image
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