Thoughts on using Ensure during IM
What are the teams thoughts on using Ensure during IM. 220 cal's in a small bottle. Thinking 3 on the bike and 1-2 for the run.
Thanks!
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What are the teams thoughts on using Ensure during IM. 220 cal's in a small bottle. Thinking 3 on the bike and 1-2 for the run.
Thanks!
Comments
Here are the problems I see with it:
Too dense - hard to stomach; osmolarity thru the roof - 680, with 280 being the recommended ceiling; ratio of Protein to Carbs (13:50) is too high; too much fat (28% of calories are from fat). All those are flashing red lights for GI trouble at some point in the day, if you are working fairly hard on the bike, say with an HR @ 70-75% of max, a power Intensity Factor @ around 70% of FTP. If you are going a lot easier than that, say consistently in low-mid "Zone 1", then it really doesn't matter much. You could eat a Big Mac and probably get away with it.
OTOH, I've used it often as a calorie supplement on waking up the morning of an IM.
Alan - it seems like an easy way to get calories but look at the ingredients! You would have a major gut shutdown.
Actually, Ensure looks like it would be a pretty good post-race meal. But I'd likely opt for the Big Mac if given the choice 😄
I think it would be tough to stomach during a race, and I can normally put back whatever gets put in front of me. That said, I drink 3 of 'em as my pre-race breakfast at around 3am race morning with no ill effects.
Ensure- Besides having animal products (my own personal bias) its nothing but crap. Look at the ingredient list, then look at my favorite words "concentrate, isolate, processed" Personally I wouldnt put that crap in my body at anytime. However many like Dave use it pre-race with great success , it does offer many calories, low fiber, for such a use. As Al states high osmolality makes it difficult for IM but I could see someone using it for a long Ultra where lower intensity is lower. Like Paul said I'd rather eat real food after a race. I will save my highly engineered processed junk food for racing like sports drink, gels, blocks and bars, and I will save my highly processed junk food think ice cream etc for post racing treats.
I've had it once in a race, my first IM, during my bike special needs. Shut my gut down, if I recall (that was way back in 2006, so my memory is a little fuzzy). I could barely ever try it in training since it would get super hot to carry around for hours in the TX heat during training rides. IMFL in November was much cooler than that.
While I might not like the ingredient list, or the protein amount, or the calories, etc, if it works for you then use it. BUT...train with it first to ensure (get what I did there? haha) it doesn't backfire for you!
I try to use only natural products now, mostly centered around Nuun Hydration and Honey Stinger (shameless plug!).
@Alan Brown - whoever told you about Ensure hasn't gotten a triathlon nutrition update since 2001. 🤣 I remember those days. Totally not worth it...unless you want to be "well fed" but really, really slow.
P - there are legions of 85-year-olds + me who take exception to the above