Real food vs. Processed Sport foods
Saw the posts in another topic about "real food" vs. engineered food - specifically Endurox vs. chocolate milk. My disclaimer is that I am a spokesperson for chocolate milk - but I've been recommending chocolate milk since 2006 and became a spokesperson this year.
As far as Endurox vs chocolate milk - one of the reasons I reommend it is that it is not an engineered food. Personally, I'm allergic to milk, so I can't use what I recommend. I use Endurox and have used it for 15 years (the chocolate flavor). There is research to back both products up. If you want to look at the chocolate milk research, go to GotChocolateMilk.com. Endurox has some research on their site well. I say try both and see if you feel better with one or the other. If you do, use the one that you feel better using. If not, pick the one that aligns best with your personal eating philosophy.
I have worked with ultra runners (100 mile runners) who want to use real food in their races. One guy in particular was fabulous to work with and we came up with rice balls, date balls, etc. There is also a cookbook called "The Feed Zone" by Thomas and Lim who worked with pro cyclists to develop food they could use in training and racing. They have recipes for "real food" options to use during training and racing - like your own bars. There is an RD/triathlete who has a good blog on using the food from this cookbook along with their electrolyte product from Skratch Labs. She was very impressed with the food and how it made her feel. I'll look for her post later and post the link.
Prsonally, I try to eat as "close to the ground" as I can. I'm planning on tinkering with the Feed Zone food at some point and see how it works,
Now, what are your thoughts about using "real food" in training, racing, and recovery?
Comments
I would much prefer to eat real food for all activities. The problem I have is that I feel I should be training with the food I plan to race with. I have not found a way to carry enough real food. I even went with Perform at Lake Placid over Infinit because I didnt want to have to carry all of my own nutrition.
I am very interested in the resources you have mentioned above and plan to check them out as I plan for next season.
I've used Endurox for years, with a little added glutamine. I love chocolate milk, especially the chocolate soy milk (being slightly lactose intolerant), but pretty much gave it up several years go.
Lately, I've been using water+NUUN for hydration, and Lara bars for nutrition, on the bike. Seems to be working well for me.
Unfortunately, "real" food usually means bulging pockets, lots of taped/ziptied/rubberbanded food to the bike (making it less aero and more fred) and/or special needs stops. Not always ideal.
The Feed Zone is on my "to buy" list.
Pre- ride: My favorite breakfasts are sweet potato pancakes with jam and cold rice with some fruit, honey, and dried lavendar or a little cinnamon and almond milk. If I can swing eating two hours before a big workout, I'm happiest.
On bike: Real food? I love feed zone bread cakes and rice cakes. I've also taken sweet potato pancake/jam sandwiches. I'm not afraid to grab a mid-ride muffin. Biggest lesson learned? Eating smaller bits of food more often is better than eating big pieces less often. I make the rice and bread cakes in my muffin tin. Half of one every half/hour to 45 minutes seems to work well for me. Also, tiny roasted salty potatoes. I may carry those on the Ironman run.
Apres: I made myself a giant batch of sweet potato and ham burritos and froze them. These are genius after long rides. Genius. I also like the Feed Zone tacos. I'll take recovery real food over recovery drink any day.
Racing: I raced a half ironman with Skratch Labs drink mix and bread cakes. Best race stomach yet. I did supplement a bit with electrolytes (S-caps are too much sodium for me with Skratch Labs drink mix; endurolyte fizz works well) and did carry gels. I took one on the run, but I think I would have been fine without it.
I also have been drinking more fluids -- aiming for a liter/hour. This has been working well.
Eating real food also seems to have strengthened my stomach's resolve overall. Last weekend, I was out of Skratch mix and switched back to HEED. Totally fine, although I had to force myself to take in calories instead of it being a bit more organic. I've started to look forward to eating things I enjoy while riding.
Penny -- will you post recipes for the rice balls and date balls? Those sound perfect for taking in smaller amounts of calories more often.
I read The Thrive Diet by Brendan Brazier a triathlete and Canadian Ultra Champion who eats a whole foods plant based diet, even during training. I actually made the energy bars and they were delicious, but admit it is easier to buy his Vega Sport and Vega products which are whole foods plant based. @ Scott, I use Nuun as well and Lara Bars. Dates are excellent quick sugar and if making bars, dates and agave which releases slower are an excellent combo. I started using PowerBar Performance Bars ( the original chewy ones) again after the webinar and found they worked great as long as no one is taking my picture lol. I prob looked like a chipmunk storing nuts lol. Again the webinar said NO water so I use Nuun and Base Electrolyte Salts and the combo is great. I think whole foods can be done...also made my own gel using dates and agave but buying Vega was / is easier. I stick a gel flask in the sports bra and the girls keep it right there....sorry...but true lol.
Those that like Brendon Frazier books I recommend.... Eat and Run by Scott Jurek .... and Finding Ultra by Rick Roll....