Every Thursday we’ll be posting a review of a product – training nutrition, latest snack foods, and takeaways. Expert advice on foods that we look to use on a regular basis – how healthy are they? What are their purpose? Most importantly, do they taste awesome?
First up – Gu Gel, Caramel Macchiato flavour
| Product: | GU- Caramel Macchiato |
|---|---|
| Cost: $ | 3.00 |
| Taste factor: | A delicious mix of caramel and coffee |
| Nutrition stats: | Kilojoules: 420 Carbohydrate: 22g Sugars: 7g Fat: 0g Protein:0g |
| Extras/health claims: | 40mg Caffeine Natural flavours & Gluten free |
| Sport specific (suitability?): | Running/cycling/endurance |
| PROS: (the good stuff) | Tastes great and gives you an extra dose of caffeine. Good consistency- not too thick and not too liquid. Easy to consume quickly. |
| CONS: (the not so good stuff) | Can be hard to consume with water while running, although a gel flask, or carrying a fuel belt, or timing your gels with the water fountains can fix that. The caffeine content isn’t that high and 2 gels would be required to consume adequate caffeine for a performance benefit. |
| The bottom line/verdict | Whatever we eat prior to training will fuel us for usually the first 60-90 minutes, after this we can benefit from consuming additional carbohydrates. Gels are a convenient way to package up 20-30g carbohydrates. They can be held in your hand, tucked into your bike shorts, jersey or top, mixed with water in a gel flask or stored in a bento box when riding. As a bonus they can contain ergogenic aids like caffeine. A double bonus is they can taste like a caramel macchiato! Highly recommend for a long run or ride when you need that little bit of caffeine to get you to the end. |
| Rating out of 5 | 4.5 gooey caramels |
Thanks to Emma Walkey, @elwalkey, 3rd Year Nutrition Student at Curtin Uni and @nutritionwrks team member for the review.