You have probably tried countless different sports gels, drinks, jelly beans, chews, and bars. They all do roughly the same thing, but it's tempting to think that the next one we try will do something better than all the ones that came before it. The marketing machine behind sports nutrition products is very strong, and their claims about what separates one product from another can create a situation where athletes believe (and fear) that a sports nutrition product can make or break their race.
The truth is, it can't. Your training makes or breaks your race. What you do day after day, week after week, month after month, makes your race what it is. Sports nutrition plays a supporting role in allowing you to tap into your full capacity. But what makes a good nutrition product? One thing: it works for YOU.
Here are a few simple pointers to consider when choosing a product:
1. Complex carbs are not necessarily better than simple carbs. Don't pay extra for sustained energy or long-lasting energy claims.
2. You don't need to use your sports fuel every day. In fact, you probably only need it once a week at the most. Start out with none and see how you feel. Don't be afraid to bonk in training in the name of learning more about your body. Add sports nutrition in incremental doses until you get to the point where you are eating enough to sustain energy but not so much that you get stomach upset or consume more than you burn.
3. Consider convenience. If you are training for a long race and will need a supply of nutrition over the course of many months, consider how widely available your preferred nutrition is. Do you have to order it online or can you find it at a gas station?
4. Start simple and cheap and add more price or complexity if the simple and cheap doesn't work. Simple and cheap might mean a bag of skittles, a handful of raisins, or a banana. More complex might mean sports gels or bars with caffeine, protein, or amino acids.
5. Taste. If you like the taste, you will eat it.
Remember, sports nutrition cannot perform miracles - and you don't need it to. Your body is capable of performing an amazing amount of work without these highly processed supplements. Let your body show you what it can do before you look for supplements.
FTP Coaching can help you reach your full training potential with custom training plans, strength training plans for triathletes, and weight loss plans for triathletes. Visit us at http://www.ftpcoaching.com/ or http://www.hardcoretriathlete.com/
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