eating on an ultra

[stevefoster]

Anyone ever tried chocolate covered coffee beans?

[Erich K]

Anyone ever tried chocolate covered coffee beans?

Somebody gave me some chocolate-coated beans at the last checkpoint in Robin Hood's Bay on the Frostbite 50 in January, and they did supply a bit of a 'lift' after we'd done 44 miles with just 6 to go. However, I think alternating gels with something solid, like flapjack for instance, accompanied by electrolyte (I use nuun or zero tablets - 1 to 500ml water) is more sustaining over a long distance. You have to be careful you don't eat too much solid stuff because your stomach can't digest it quickly enough and goes into spasm. I found this article quite useful:
http://blogs.cybersym.com/ultrarunning-biochem.html

[Nigel]

Somebody gave me some chocolate-coated beans at the last checkpoint in Robin Hood's Bay on the Frostbite 50 in January, and they did supply a bit of a 'lift' after we'd done 44 miles with just 6 to go. However, I think alternating gels with something solid, like flapjack for instance, accompanied by electrolyte (I use nuun or zero tablets - 1 to 500ml water) is more sustaining over a long distance. You have to be careful you don't eat too much solid stuff because your stomach can't digest it quickly enough and goes into spasm. I found this article quite useful:
http://blogs.cybersym.com/ultrarunning-biochem.html

60g Carbohydrate oper hour - above that and you can't absorb it and that's when the cramps set in

[cyclops]

I'm not doing ultras but my runs are getting longer...2hrs+ so even on short runs I'm practicing eating and drinking, experimenting with what works and what doesn't. think trying things is the only way to do it, we're all unique afterall!

[PaulE]

Anyone ever tried chocolate covered coffee beans?

Yes, they're great but make sure you have a drink a available as they make me a bit thirsty

[NaturalBritain]

Anyone ever tried chocolate covered coffee beans?

I carry a small resealable sandwich bag in one of my hipbelt pockets with my own version of trailmix - chocolate coated coffee beans, Peanut M&Ms, yoghurt coated peanuts, roasted hazlenuts and cashew nuts (all unsalted), about even mixtures of all, so you never quite know what you're going to get in a handful.

[stevefoster]

Thanks for the replies on chocolate coated coffee beans, must give them a trial run.

[Kathyf]

I'm also a massive fan of all flavours of the Nakd bars, other favourites on really long runs include .........Sport beans, SIS smart gels if I'm dead on my feet, high-5 Zero electrolyte tabs to stop cramps, mini-pretzels for carbs and salts,home-made flapjacks from an excellent book called 'Go Faster Food' by Kate Percy, chocolate covered coffee beans (as long as I've got access to a drink - they get a bit gritty).

I love Natural Britain's idea of a 'mixed bag' - might have to try that on next weekend's outing.

[Derby Tup]

I'm another fan of the 'mixed bag'. Mine would have jelly babies (ideally green ones), marshmallows, Squirms and mini-choc Easter eggs in though. The only 'technical sports nutrition products' I rate are Shock Bloks, excellent when you really don't fancy anything else :thumbup:

[stevefoster]

Shock Bloks

The electrical version of shot bloks? Do you have to shout 'clear' when you pop one in? Any battery life issues?

Sorry mate, couldn't resist. Love shock blots, taste a whole lot better than gels and seem to work. Mini pork and pickle pies and malt loaf have worked for me in the past.