The best Bar

[Mardi]

Hi all,

I have a question re nutrition on the bike. I am currently using a combo of gels, carbo pro mixed with nuun, water and Builder Bars for my long bike rides which seems to be working okay.  My stomach definitely appreciated the soild feel of having a builder bar in it, but I am wondering if 20 grams of protein is too much per bar if I plan on eating one every 1.5 hours during a race of 1/2 iron and ironman distance.  They also have 30 grams of carbs per bar.  I don't have problems tolerating food on the bike, in fact I need the solid feel of food in my stomach. Is it okay to have this much protein? Would I be better off with more carb less protein? I do noice that these bars make me quite thirsty. If anyone has any suggestions as to a good alternative bar out there I would appreciate it.

Thanks.

Mardi

[GinnySellars]

I think you are right...the builder bars have ALOT of protein, which will be slower to break down for energy on race day. It's likely fine at training intensity, but not on race day.

I find that I can eat almost anything on training rides, even hard efforts. On race day I look for something with much less chewing involved. The Cliff bars are a little tough to eat, except their Maple Nut flavor which melts in the mouth a little more. I usually end up going with plain powerbars, because you can pretty much just suck on them if you want. Make sure you break them up ahead of time though, because they are hard to pull apart.

If you really like the Builder Bar, consider having 1 of them, and 1 of another carb dense bar.

Any ideas anyone?

[Mardi]

Thanks Ginny,

I will do the power bars and I am going to try fig newtons.  I did make my own energy bar just for kicks off a recipe I found on the internet.  They taste okay but I am sure in the heat they would melt into a goopy mess in my bento box.

Have a great race this weekend!