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From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
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* For long runs (>30miles/4hours) you probably need more than gels. People vary, but most runners seem to find that gels become unappealing and sometimes nauseating over a protracted time. I suspect this might be because they are so easily absorbed they don't give your digestive system anything much to work on. They also typically only provide a simple fast acting carbohydrates and over a longer time. You need a greater variety.
* [[Caffeine]] is your friend, so unless you're running close to bed time, use it.
* The best all round gel I've found is still Gu, and you could think of it as the Honda civic Civic of energy gels. For most runners this is an ideal starting point.
* If you're a competitive marathon runner looking for every edge, then I think it's worth a little extra to buy the Gu Roctane.
* For those suffering from cramps, try eGel (the sour flavor might help.)
* If you want more electrolytes, try PowerBar Gel.
* Hammer gel is a little easier to digest than Gu, so try that if you're having digestive problems. You could also try Maurten or Mountain Fuel as they both claim to have a hydrogel to ease digestion (but there's not much research to back that up.)
=Which Gel? =
The flowchart below is intended to provide some general guidance around which gel to choose.
** Amino acids may help performance, but the evidence is unclear at the levels provided in most gels.
* [[Caffeine]] is great for improving performance and speeding the absorption of carbohydrate, but too much can upset the stomach.
* Flavor is important, as you won't want to take an unpalatable gel. Experiment On the other hand, many people (myself included), want to avoid flavorings. You may want to experiment with different flavors, as different people have different tastes, and what flavor appeals can vary with circumstance. I add some comments around tastewould suggest starting with an unflavored gel, including sweetness, bitterness, sourness and if the overall flavor is like candy or like fruitsee how you get on. Strong sour (acidic) flavors may help with [[Cramps]]. Genetics also influences taste, so such as the[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenylthiocarbamide ability to detect some bitter flavors].
=Overview=
This table is a combination of the science of nutrition, personal experience and the experience of many runners I've talked to, with more details given below.
[[File:Gels-eGel.JPG|none|thumb|500px|eGel (with a Gu as a size reference)]]
''<br/>Ingredients (Mountain Rush): [[Maltodextrin]], Filtered Water, [[Fructose]], Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, [[Potassium]] Citrate, Natural Flavor, Amino Acid Blend (Leucine, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine), Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin E (Tocopherol acetate), Sodium Benzoate And [[Potassium]] Sorbate, Vitamin B6''
=Gu (Peanut Butter)=
The [http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=gu+energy+gel+peanut+butter&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Agu+energy+gel+peanut+butter peanut butter flavored Gu]is different enough to justify its own entry. The peanut butter flavor is far less sweet than the regular Gu flavors, but if you like peanut butter it can be a lot more palatable. It also substitutes a little bit of fat and [[Protein]] for the carbohydrate, as well as having a tiny bit more sodium and [[Potassium]]. I find this flavor digests particularly well and I'd recommend trying get if you're a fan of peanut butter. Obviously, if you hate peanut butter or you have a peanut allergy this is not going to work for you. The Peanut Butter flavor is one of the thickest gels, and is quite a bit thicker than the other flavors of Gu. Even in warm conditions it tends to be a little too thick, and in cold conditions it can become bit like a chewy candy such as taffy, toffee, etc.
[[File:Gels-PB-Gu.JPG|none|thumb|500px|Peanut Butter Gu (with a normal Gu as a size reference)]]
''<br/>Ingredients: [[Maltodextrin]], water, [[Fructose]], Peanut butter (peanuts, salt), Gu Amino acids (leucine, valine, histidine, isoleucine), [[Potassium|potassium]] and sodium citrate, antioxidants (vitamin E and C), preservatives (sodium benzoate, [[Potassium|potassium]] sorbate), calcium carbonate, sea salt, fumaric acid, calcium chloride, pectin, citric acid, malic acid, herbal blend (chamomile, ginger).''
=Mountain Fuel Sports Jelly Gel=
A relatively digestible gel, but rather low on energy density. Mountain Fuel is twice the size and weight of a Gu for less calories. The use of Pectin as a stabilizer seems odd, given it's a thickening agent. Generally, you want a sports gel to be as thin as possible to make it easy to swallow while running. They claim that the pectin acts as a hydrogel, rather like Maurten, but I've not seen any research to back that up.
''<br/>Ingredients: Water, Maltodextrin, Glucose, Stabiliser (Pectin), Acidifying agent (citric acid), Potassium citrate, Sea salt, Lemon extract, Preservative (Potassium sorbate)''
=SIS GO Isotonic=
This [http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=SIS+GO+Isotonic&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3ASIS+GO+Isotonic SIS GO Isotonic gel]is rather different to most others on the market, and in many ways it's more of a small drink than a gel. The packet is roughly twice as big as most standard gels, which makes it awkward to carry. The flavor is extremely light and I would almost describe it as bland. This is a gel that's worth considering if you're having problems digesting more mainstream gels or if you want something with little or no flavor, and you don't mind carrying the bulk. (Note that[http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=SIS+GO+Isotonic this gel is much easier to find in Europe].)
[[File:Gels-SIS.JPG|none|thumb|500px|SIS GO Isotonic (with a Gu as a size reference)]]
''<br/>Ingredients (Orange): Water, Maltodextrin, Natural Flavoring, Gelling Agents (XanthanGum, Gellan Gum), Acidity Regulators(Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate),Preservatives (Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate), Sweetener (AcesulfameK), Sodium Chloride, Antioxidant (Ascorbic Acid), Color (Beta-Carotene.''
=Hammer Gel=
[http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=hammer%20gel Hammer Gel]is noteworthy as one of the easiest to digest gels. It is nearly all [[Maltodextrin]] dissolved in a greater volume of fluid than other gels. The low level of sugars and electrolytes makes this far easier on the digestive system, and is recommended for runners who have issues with other types of gel. There is less [[Fructose]], which makes the maximum carbohydrate absorption rate lower than other gels, so only use Hammer if Gu is difficult to digest.
''<br/>Ingredients (Vanilla): [[Maltodextrin]], Filtered Water, Energy Smart (Grape juice and Rice dextrins), [[Potassium]] Sorbate (as a preservative), Vanilla Extract, Citric Acid, [[Potassium]] Chloride, Salt, Amino Acids (L-Leucine, L-Alanine, L-Valine, L-Isoleucine).''
=Carb BOOM=
[http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Carb+BOOM+&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3ACarb+BOOM+ Carb BOOM]is similar to Hammer Gel, with a lot of [[Maltodextrin]] and a little bit of fruit. Each packet of Carb BOOM is about 25% larger than Hammer Gel, but contains similar ingredients (slightly more electrolytes). The flavors are a little more like real fruit than the candy flavor of many gels.
[[File:Gels-CarbBoom.JPG|none|thumb|500px|CarbBoom (with a Gu as a size reference)]]
''<br/>Ingredients (Apple Cinnamon): [[Maltodextrin]], Water, Apple Puree, Apple Concentrate, Citric Acid, [[Potassium]] Citrate, Sea Salt, Cinnamon, [[Potassium]] Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate.''
=High5 EnergyGel=
This High5 gel has a slightly sweet taste with a mild orange flavor. This light flavor makes the gel worth considering if you want to avoid the sweeter flavors that are common in other gels. High5 has a very thin, almost a liquid consistency that makes it easy to take. This gel falls down because it has so little Fructose compared with competing gels, which reduces the rate of carbohydrate absorption. (Note that[http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=High5+EnergyGel this gel is generally only available in Europe].)
[[File:Gels-High5.JPG|none|thumb|500px|High5 (with a Gu as a size reference)]]
''<br/>Ingredients (Orange): Glucose, Water, Maltodextrin, Fruit Juice (min 15%, Orange/Lemon),Sea Salt, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate''
=USN Vooma Energy=
[http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/279-3008037-1507112?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=USN+Vooma+Energy USN Vooma Energy is a European Gel]has quite a strong flavor, but it is a soft, rounded flavor that I rather like. Vooma has a thinner consistency than most gels which makes it easy to swallow on the run. Overall, I've found myself looking forward to these gels more than most. The packets are also narrower and taller, which I found worked well, and made it easier to extract all the gel from the packet. (Note that this gel is generally only available in Europe.)
[[File:Gels-Vooma.JPG|none|thumb|500px|USN Vooma (with a Gu as a size reference)]]
''<br/>Ingredients (Vanilla Caramel): Water, Maltodextrin, Dextrose, Sucrose, Acidity regulators (Sodium Citrate E331i; Potassium citrate E332i), Creatine Monohydrate, Ascorbic Acid, L-Carnitine, Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)(L-Leucine, L-Valine, L-Isoleucine), Acidulant (Citric Acid), Sodium Chloride, Flavoring, Preservative (Potassium Sorbate), Glutamic Acid, Thickener (Xanthan Gum).`''
=Clif Shot (new formula)=
The new formula [http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=+Clif+Shot&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3A+Clif+Shot Clif Shot]uses [[Maltodextrin]] like other Gels and is similar to Gu. However, it has slightly more sugar making it a little more difficult to digest. Clif Shots require about twice the water to be isotonic compared with Gu. One nice thing about Clif Shots is their 'litter leash', which is a thin strip that holds the top to the body of the packet so that you're less lightly to drop the top. I found in practice that I often break the leash when opening the gels, but the idea is a noble one. (Note that the chocolate flavor has 1.5g of fat.)
[[File:Gels-Clif.JPG|none|thumb|500px|Clif Shot (old and new formula, and a Gu as a size reference)]]
''<br/>Ingredients (Vanilla): Organic [[Maltodextrin]], Organic Sugar, Water, Natural Flavor, Sea Salt, [[Potassium]] Citrate.''
=VFuel=
[http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=vfuel VFuel Gels]have no [[Fructose]], so it's ideal for those that suffer from[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fructose_malabsorption fructose malabsorption]. It has a little fat in the form of [[MCT| Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT)]], as well as some Taurine, which I think are good things, but probably the amount is not significant enough to make much of a difference. Note that MCT can cause serious digestive problems, but probably not at these levels. There is a little [[Caffeine]], intended to increase the carbohydrate absorption rather than to improve performance. I found the VFuel very easy on the stomach and a worthy alternative to Hammer Gel. (Note VFuel was previously called Vi Endurance.)
[[File:Gels-Vi-Fuel.JPG|none|thumb|500px|ViFuel (with a Gu as a size reference)]]
''<br/>Ingredients (Vanilla): [[Maltodextrin]], water, dextrose, VFuel Endurance Formula (MCT Oil, Taurine, Glucuronolactone, ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG), citrulline malate, [[Magnesium]] aspartate, sodium citrate, [[Potassium|potassium]] aspartate), pure vanilla flavor, [[Potassium|potassium]] sorbate, sea salt, [[Caffeine]]''
=EFS Liquid Shot=
The most unusual thing about EFS is that it comes in a small plastic flask that holds the equivalent of about four normal gel packs. I rather like the idea of a small flask as you can take as much or as little as you feel like, something that's a bit trickier with a foil package to gel. Flask is also reusable which is nice, but I found it a little larger than I would like. While it sits very nicely in my hand, I wouldn't want to hold it for any significant distance, and it's a bit too heavy to put into running shorts. EFS make some impressive claims for their gel, but on closer inspection they become far less impressive:
[[File:EFSLiquidShot.JPG|none|thumb|500px|EFS Liquid Shot (with a Gu as a size reference)]]
''<br/>Ingredients: Complex carbohydrates, Dextrose, Sucrose, Water, Amino Acid Blend (L-Glutamine, Leucine, Iso-Leucine, Valine), Salt, Potassium Chloride, Calcium (as calcium complex), Magnesium (as magnesium glycine amino acid chelate), natural flavors, citric acid, sorbic acid and sodium benzoate (to preserve freshness)''
=Hammer Maurten Hydrogel Gel100=[http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=hammer%20gel Hammer Gel]Maurten claims that their hydrogel formula causes less digestive distress and is noteworthy as one of the easiest to digest gels. It is nearly all [[Maltodextrin]] dissolved in a greater volume of fluid more easily absorbed than other gels. The low level of sugars and electrolytes makes this far easier on without the digestive system, and is recommended for runners who have issues with other types of gelhydrogel. There is less [[Fructose]], which makes the maximum carbohydrate absorption rate lower than other gels, so only use Hammer if Gu is difficult to digest. ''<br/>Ingredients (Vanilla): [[Maltodextrin]], Filtered Waters one study that backs this up, Energy Smart (Grape juice and Rice dextrins), [[Potassium]] Sorbate (as a preservative), Vanilla Extract, Citric Acid, [[Potassium]] Chloride, Salt, Amino Acids (L-Leucine, L-Alanine, L-Valine, L-Isoleucine).another that didn''=SIS GO Isotonic=This [http://wwwt find any difference.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=SIS+GO+Isotonic&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3ASIS+GO+Isotonic SIS GO Isotonic My concern is that this gel]is rather different to most others on the marketsimple sugars, glucose, and in many ways it's more of a small drink than a gel. The packet is roughly twice as big as most standard gelsfructose, which makes it awkward are harder to carryabsorb than maltodextrin. The flavor So this seems to be an overly expensive, complex solution given that maltodextrin is extremely light cheaper and I would almost describe it as blandeasier. This is a gel that's worth considering On the other hand, if you're having problems digesting more mainstream struggle with digestive issues from maltodextrin based gels or if you want something with little or no flavor, and you don't mind carrying the bulk. (Note that[http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=SIS+GO+Isotonic this gel is much easier to find in Europe]might be worth a try.)[[File:Gels-SIS.JPG|none|thumb|500px|SIS GO Isotonic (with a Gu as a size reference)]]''<br/>Ingredients (Orange): Water, Maltodextringlucose, Natural Flavoringfructose, Gelling Agents (XanthanGumcalcium carbonate, Gellan Gum)gluconic acid, Acidity Regulators(Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate),Preservatives (Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate), Sweetener (AcesulfameK), Sodium Chloride, Antioxidant (Ascorbic Acid), Color (Beta-Carotene.sodium alginate''=Carb BOOMTORQ Gels=[http:TORQ gels are a basic maltodextrin//www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Carb+BOOM+&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3ACarb+BOOM+ Carb BOOM]is similar to Hammer Gelfructose energy gel, though with quite a lot of [[Maltodextrin]] and a little bit of fruitfructose. Each packet of Carb BOOM is about 25% larger than Hammer GelThey are quite sweet, overly so for me, but contains similar ingredients (slightly more electrolytes)not too thick. The flavors are They're available as unflavored, which is something a little more like real fruit than the candy flavor of many gels. [[File:Gels-CarbBoom.JPG|none|thumb|500px|CarbBoom unusual (with a Gu as a size referenceand welcome)]]''<br/>Ingredients (Apple Cinnamon): [[Maltodextrin]], Water, Apple Puree, Apple Concentrate, Citric Acid, [[Potassium]] Citrate. There are no electrolytes, Sea Salt, Cinnamon, [[Potassium]] Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate.''=Gu (Peanut Butter)=The [http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=gu+energy+gel+peanut+butter&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Agu+energy+gel+peanut+butter peanut butter flavored Gu]while the amount in most gels is different enough unlikely to justify its own entry. The peanut butter flavor is far less sweet than the regular Gu flavorsmake much difference, but if you like peanut butter it can would be nice to have a lot more palatablelittle. It also substitutes TORQ is not a bad gel, but nothing outstanding. A little bit of fat and [[Protein]] for the carbohydratelow on energy density, as well as having a tiny bit more sodium and [[Potassium]]. I find this flavor digests particularly well and I'd recommend trying get if you're a fan of peanut butter. Obviously, if you hate peanut butter or you have a peanut allergy this is not going to work for you. The Peanut Butter flavor is one of the thickest gelstoo much fructose, and is quite a bit thicker harder to digest than the other flavors of Gu. Even in warm conditions it tends to be a little too thick, and in cold conditions it can become bit like a chewy candy such as taffy, toffee, etc.[[File:Gels-PB-Gubest gels.JPG|none|thumb|500px|Peanut Butter Gu (with a normal Gu as a size reference)]]''<br/>Ingredients: [[Maltodextrin]], water, [[Fructose]], Peanut butter (peanuts, saltGlucose Polymers), Gu Amino acids (leucine, valine, histidine, isoleucine43%), [[Potassium|potassium]] and sodium citrateWater, antioxidants Fructose (vitamin E and C22%), preservatives Preservative (sodium benzoate, [[Potassium|potassium]] sorbateSorbate), calcium carbonate, sea salt, fumaric acid, calcium chloride, pectin, citric acid, malic acid, herbal blend Acid (chamomile, gingerCitric Acid).''=VFuelPrecision Fuels PF 30=[http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=vfuel VFuel Similar to TORQ Gels]have no [[Fructose]], so it's ideal for those that suffer from[http://en.wikipedia.orgthis is a basic maltodextrin/wiki/Fructose_malabsorption fructose malabsorption]. It has a little fat in the form of [[MCT| Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT)]]energy gel, but not quite as well good as some Taurine, which I think are good things, but probably the amount is not significant enough to make much of a differenceTORQ. Note that MCT can cause serious digestive Similar problems, but probably not at these levels. There is with a little [[Caffeine]]bit too much fructose, no electrolytes, lower energy density, intended to increase the carbohydrate absorption rather than to improve performance. I found the VFuel very easy on the stomach and a worthy alternative bit harder to Hammer Geldigest. (Note VFuel was previously called Vi Endurance.)[[File:Gels-Vi-Fuel.JPG|none|thumb|500px|ViFuel (with The use of a Gu as thickening agent seems a size reference)]]''<br/>Ingredients (Vanilla): [[Maltodextrin]]particularly bad idea, water, dextrose, VFuel Endurance Formula (MCT Oil, Taurine, Glucuronolactone, ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG), citrulline malate, [[Magnesium]] aspartate, sodium citrate, [[Potassium|potassium]] aspartate), pure vanilla flavor, [[Potassium|potassium]] sorbate, sea salt, [[Caffeine]]'' =USN Vooma Energy=[http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/279-3008037-1507112?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=USN+Vooma+Energy USN Vooma Energy is a European Gel]has quite a strong flavor, but as it is a soft, rounded flavor that I rather like. Vooma has a thinner consistency than most gels which makes it easy the gel harder to swallow on the run. Overall, I've found myself looking forward to these gels more than most. The packets are also narrower and taller, which I found worked well, and made it easier to extract all the gel from the packet. (Note that this gel is generally only available in Europenecessary.)[[File:Gels-Vooma.JPG|none|thumb|500px|USN Vooma (with a Gu as a size reference)]]''<br/>Ingredients (Vanilla Caramel): Water, Maltodextrin, DextroseWater, SucroseFructose, Acidity regulators Gelling agent (Sodium Citrate E331i; Potassium citrate E332ipectin), Creatine Monohydrate, Ascorbic Acid, L-Carnitine, Branched Chain Amino Acids acidifier (BCAAscitric acid)(L-Leucine, L-Valinecalcium lactate, L-Isoleucine), Acidulant (Citric Acid), Sodium Chloride, Flavoring, Preservative (Potassium potassium Sorbate), Glutamic Acid, Thickener (Xanthan Gumpreservative).`''
=PowerBar Gel=
[http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=PowerBar+Gel&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3APowerBar+Gel PowerBar Gel]is noteworthy because of its higher sodium content that may help alleviate [[Hyponatremia]] and [[Cramps]]. I found the flavor stronger than Hammer, Gu or Cliff, but still quite pleasant. The flavors are generally rather more candy like than fruit like. The level of [[Fructose]] is higher than I'd like to see for digestibility. You may need to drink some water near the time you take PowerBar Gel due to the extra electrolytes. PowerBar Gel has a noticeably thinner consistency than most other gels, and is almost a liquid. This makes it far easier to take in cold weather as it does not go so thick, but it also make it trickier to mix with saliva in your mouth. (Note that the chocolate flavor has 1.5g of fat.)
[[File:Gels-PowerBar.JPG|none|thumb|500px|PowerBar Gel (with a Gu as a size reference)]]
''<br/>Ingredients (vanilla): Carbohydrate blend ([[Maltodextrin]], [[Fructose]]), water, electrolytes (sodium chloride, sodium citrate, [[Potassium|potassium]] chloride), natural flavor, citric acid, sodium benzoate and [[Potassium|potassium]] sorbate.''
=ISOStar Gel =
This gel contains a lot of sugar, making it a little slower to digest and requires a lot more water to be isotonic. I found the flavor rather too sweet, and while the sweetness was offset by a strong lemon sharpness, the overall taste was a little overpowering. They claim a "Cardio Pump vasodilator", but I didn't find any supporting scientific evidence, nor did I detect any unexpected performance change when I took this gel. (Note that ISOStar is a Finnish company, and[http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ISOStar+Gel this gel is generally only available in Europe].)
''<br/>Ingredients (chocolate flavor): Agave syrup, brown rice syrup, evaporated cane sugar, water, whey [[Protein]] isolate, glycerin, pea [[Protein]] isolate, cocoa, natural flavors, green tea extract, d-alpha-tocopheryl, salt, grape, pomegranate, mangosteen, goji berry, blueberry, chokeberry, cranberry, apple and bilberry extracts.''
=Chia Surge=
[http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Chia+Surge&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AChia+Surge Chia surge]is one of the more unusual gels as it contains chia seeds which give it a bitty texture. I found that these seeds got caught in my teeth, even when I tried to swallow without chewing or mixing with saliva, which was amazingly annoying. Chia surge also has relatively few calories, too much glucose, not enough [[Maltodextrin]] and almost no sodium. Chia Surge contains beta-Alanine which has been shown to improve sprint performance, though you'd likely need to take 4-12 packets a day for some days to see the benefit (see [[The Science of Energy Gels]] for more details). The use of a non-nutritive sweetener seems like a poor choice. Overall it's hard to recommend Chia Surge.
[[File:Gels-Chia-Surge.JPG|none|thumb|500px|Chia Surge (with a Gu as a size reference)]]
''<br/>Ingredients(Raspberry): Water, Dextrose, [[Maltodextrin]], Citric Acid, Fruit And Vegetable Juice (For Color), Natural Flavors, ULS (Organic Cane Sugar, Natural Flavors, Stevia).''
=Other 'energy gels'=
While these products look rather like energy gels, they don't meet my criteria for inclusion but are worth mentioning.
==Spring Energy Gel==
This gel is mixture of real foods, with higher energy density than a carbohydrate gel. It provides 250 calories in just 52g, way more than a carbohydrate gel can. Of the 250 calories, 170 are from fat, and it has some fiber and protein. It's not what you want for high intensity races; I'd say anything up to 5 hours/marathon distance you probably want to stick to a carbohydrate gel. But for longer, slower events (or training), I think this gel is a great option.
==PocketFuel==
Unlike energy gels, [http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=PocketFuel&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3APocketFuel PocketFuel]is a peanut butter like paste in an energy gel like packet. They are similar a little larger than most other gels (about 1.8oz/52g) but have far more calories (~280) due to their higher fat content. Be careful of the nutrition label, which quotes values for a 32 gram serving, even though the packet contains 52g. The label says each packet contains "about 2" servings, but is actually 1.6 servings. I've added a table below of the nutrition from an entire packet. I would not generally recommend PocketFuel for runs shorter than about 40 miles, but for longer races they make a convenient form of food. As you can see from the table below, there is a mix of fat and carbohydrate that I think is excellent for ultrarunning. I'm also really happy to see 5 g of fiber, something you might really, really appreciate the day after an ultramarathon! It's a shame there's not a little more salt, but that's my only quibble with the nutrition. Note that for some flavors the ingredients tend to settle and it's worth squishing the packet before your run to mix things up.
