Clearly these have become a big part of peoples nutrition, especially race nutrition – What are my thoughts?
Let me refer back to a talk I did at my local Tri club in 2014.
Gels were the most controversial topic discussed that night……..
The debate went something like:
“Gels never used to exist and people still ran fast times, hence you don’t need them.
But, if they help more people go faster and further, surely thats not a bad thing.”
What I thought then and now is pretty much the same.
If you can manage without gels then I think that is better.
The problem is that sounds a bit like I’m sitting on the fence, which people don’t respect or like.
Let me tell you why I am on the fence:
Gels are clearly just a highly processed, overly convenient energy source.
They are marketed with bright colours and powerful names which suggests almost superhuman powers will arise as a result of slurping them.
They are though easy to carry, easy to consume and are a good way to get out of trouble.
Hence during a long session or race I think there is no harm in having a couple with you, the problem is that if you have them to hand you will probably have them, even if you don’t need them.
I also think it’s worth taking some other, more nutritious energy sources with you.
Things like:
- A trusty banana
- Some dried fruit
- Some nuts
- A drink with some carbs and protein
All of those are easy to carry and have one big difference to the gels……
They are NOT just energy.
They also bring other vitamins and mineral and hence offer more complete nutrition.
For most people if they train their body to be more efficient at burning fuel which occurs through training and GOOD nutrition strategies I believe you can get away without gels.
If however I was doing my race of the year tomorrow, I would strap a couple to my bike just in case – Insurance if you like.
The main issues then remain:
Get your day to day nutrition right and practice your race nutrition.
You don’t know how???
That’s why I am starting a live Q&A video session each week through my private coaching group – The Total Triathlete.
http://www.nutri-tri.com/the-total-triathlete/
The video will be recorded in case you miss it.
It means more value other than:
Your FREE book.
The opportunity to ask me about your diet daily.
A online monthly magazine – which comes out next week by the way!
All this for £10 ($14 approx) a month.
There is a video explaining more here:
http://www.nutri-tri.com/the-total-triathlete/
Jamie “Real Food is best” Leighton.