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Click to view nocknee's profile Pro
nocknee
128 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

May 30, 2007 7:11 PM

Alternatives to gatorade/powerade?

I'm accustomed to using one of the above on long runs and races, but I would prefer not to be drinking artificial colour all the time. What do other people use as alternatives? (I tried sports beans - too much chewing etc., same with gels I imagine)

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Click to view Martacious's profile Pro
Martacious
154 posts since
Oct 15, 2007
1. May 30, 2007 7:15 PM in response to: nocknee
I don't usually take anything during long runs except for water nowdays. Before and after long runs and races, I drink coconut water which is just the water from inside a young coconut, nothing else. It has 6% carbohydrates and no-fat, just like a sports drink. It also has some potassium and magnesium and it's an isotonic beverage. I don't know that it's the perfect substitute and it doesn't have any salt so you would need to account for that but it works really well for me.


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Click to view sammytravel's profile Rookie
sammytravel
1 posts since
Apr 30, 2007
3. May 30, 2007 8:02 PM in response to: nocknee
Ditto for Hammer Heed. Love the stuff.
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Click to view mkraus9's profile Amateur
mkraus9
17 posts since
May 24, 2007
4. May 30, 2007 8:45 PM in response to: nocknee
Hammer stuff tastes terrible. I use Infinit Nutrition. no artificial colors. It is customized for you. I tell them how many calories, how much electorlytes, how much amino acids, whether I want caffeine or protein added to it, even what flavor and whether I want it syrupy or very light. I get exactly what I want. I met Michael,, the owner, at the tri101 race and he was a great guy.
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Norma Stark
133 posts since
Oct 4, 2007
6. May 31, 2007 11:03 AM in response to: nocknee
Look for a product called Endura, it's really high quality and uses natural colorings.

AB

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A GOAL WITHOUT A PLAN IS JUST A DREAM
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cgerber
195 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
7. May 31, 2007 11:50 AM in response to: nocknee
I use either my homemade stuff or HEED. The taste of HEED kinda sucks initially (it's really bland), but after a few (or many) hours of running the blandness is actually a really good thing and I find myself craving it because it's not all sugary and sticky...
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CoreyH
55 posts since
Jul 5, 2007
9. May 31, 2007 12:58 PM in response to: nocknee
The PowerBar Gels work for me. The new formulation is thinner than before and easier to eat than Gu or Clif. I go with "Plain Energy" or strawberry-banana, one has caffeine, one doesn't. There's no chewing involved, you can suck them down on the run, but you absolutely need 5-7 oz of water with each one. These have a good heaping of sodium and some potassium, so you don't need anything but water with them.

I find the PowerBar drink mix to be not so sweet and drinkable, but you said you wanted to avoid artificial colors and this stuff practically glows in the dark
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Martacious
154 posts since
Oct 15, 2007
10. May 31, 2007 5:50 PM in response to: nocknee
quote:<HR>Originally posted by nocknee:
T... or perhaps I'll try the coconut milk with a little salt - disgusting? We'll see.<HR>


Good luck with whatever you decide. Just wanted to clarify that it is coconut juice or coconut water. Coconut milk is from a mature coconut and is totally different. If you go that route, just make sure that it only contains juice from a young coconut. Some variety have other things added(including water and sugar).


Obsessed is what lazy people call dedicated people.
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Click to view pismodiver's profile Amateur
pismodiver
38 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
11. Jun 2, 2007 4:04 AM in response to: nocknee
Here's a recipe for homemade Gatorade Endurance. If you don't want any artificial color or flavor you could try it without the Kool-ade mix.

Faux-Endurance Sportsdrink

1/2 C. + 4 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. Morton Lite Salt
1/2 tsp. table salt
1 pkg. unsweetened "Kool-aid" mix (any flavor you like)

Mix with 2 Q. water to make 64 oz.

Each 8 oz serving has 56 Calories, 14 grams carbohydrate, 220 mg sodium and 85 mg potassium.

Gatorade Endurance Formula (8 oz) has 50 Calories, 14 grams carbohydrate, 200 mg sodium, and 90 mg potassium.
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Click to view dg12002's profile Legend
dg12002
622 posts since
Aug 26, 2003
13. Jun 16, 2007 2:55 PM in response to: nocknee
I like maple syrup mixed in with maltodextrin that I get from the beer making store.

On long runs that I run at MP I'll take 1 Thermolyte tablet before and 1 every hour after that. I recommend Succeed electrolytes too. 2 tabs if it gets beyond 80 degs..
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