Ironman swim nutrition

No, it doesn't change because I don't consume anything during a swim (at least not on purpose).

Nope-I took a gel 20 minutes before my IMOO 2 loop swim and after T1 started my nutrition plan on my bike.

This is what I did (except that IMCOZ was a one loop swim).

Other than inadvertant lake/ocean water, I don't consume anything during the swim.

Wow. I've never heard of anyone eating ANYTHING during swim, besides the occasional fist or small fish.

Has anyone every done this before?

I've read about some stuffing gels up the sleeve of their wetsuit for between the two loops but I can't imagine sucking down a gel between loops (disclaimer---I've only done ONE HIM with a two loop course...).  So YES some do it but NOT me personally...I've done the gel about 20mins before a IM swim but that's about it...

I just take a gel before the swim and then start my nutrition once I get settled into the bike.  I've done 2 IM's and that has worked for me.

I have eaten a Gu during a 5k swim race.  It was more difficult than expected to consume the Gu while squeezing up up from the bottom (I roll it up like a toothpaste tube) while maintaining forward motion.  That race took me just under 2 hours. I do think that the extra fuel helped me so that I was not completely spent at the end of the race. 

However, for the IM swim, I had not thought about having a Gu during the race because it's only 2.4 miles.  It can be done, but may not be worth the hassle unless you are doing a 2 loop course.  In the case of a 2 loop course, I'd definitely consider having a Gu at the turn with some fresh water or just drinking some electrolyte drink.

I ate a gel after the first loop of a 2 loop swim. I put it in my wetsuit sleeve. They had a water aid station set up on the beach at IM CDA that year so I ate the gel and had a cup of water. Haven't seen the aid station set up since. The swim takes me about 1h40m so I like having that gel.

No fuel.

You will be fine.

Just eat a gel and drink some water before you get in.

Also, in training, do not drink while swimming. Get use to not having anything. I did a 3 mile OWS and had no nutrition or anything to drink. I was fine. I trained without any water/nutrition to prepare for that.