General Discussion Triathlon Talk » best sports drink??? Rss Feed  
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2011-05-07 9:35 PM


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Subject: best sports drink???
Other than the standard anwswer of "beer" and "bourbon" what's the best sports drink?  I've read they should include protein.  Thoughts?


2011-05-07 10:03 PM
in reply to: #3487316

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New user
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Subject: RE: best sports drink???

whats the best car? Tongue out

 

this question is impossible to answer.  just like what the best bike, best run shoe, best race etc.

it is 100% personal.  Even if there was a best sports drink, if your stomach doesn't agree with it then it doesn't do you much good.

The easy answer is gatorade.   It has electrolytes, calories, and sugar.  Also, it is relatively cheap, and it is provided at most race venues.  Therefore it is easy to practice with and rely on at race day.

Some individuals like protein in their drinks. (mostly this is thought in long course events).  Your body wants to burn glycogen during triathlons. Therefore it is more important to worry about replacing carbs, and electrolyes to replace the sweat loss.  Protein isnt burned much on triathlons, but it is nice to drink as a recovery drink to help "repair" muscle tissue. These drinks include "accelerade" and other recovery drinks (Perpetuem). Lots of people use accelerade and Perpetuem during a race.

Heed is a product that will be similar to Gatorade but will have slightly more calories. Similar electrolytes carbs, etc.

my advice to you is to try a few.  See what works for you and your wallet.  See what is easy to get your hands on and seems to keep your energy level up and hydrated.

Best of luck!



Edited by linfieldpt 2011-05-07 10:06 PM
2011-05-07 10:06 PM
in reply to: #3487316

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Master
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Kailua, Hawaii
Subject: RE: best sports drink???

ha, your question is highly subjective...and race distance dependent

MU (My Understanding) is something as simple as plain water works fine for short distances. Beyond that, it's nice to toss in sugar and salt to (a) give you some calories to burn, and (b) replace lost electrolytes (most of it sodium).

Adding Protein to the drink (subjective) is something that usually comes into play for long races, beyond 3 hours.  Electrolyte replacement becomes more of an issue with longer events/training as well, again subjective, but worth understanding best you can.

The contents and quantities vary ... some drinks will have amino acids in there too, and various other supposedly beneficial additives...such as Amino Vital. Whether that stuff helps or not, I cannot say. I've used it, but can't tell any difference between that and Gatorade.

I mostly use good ol' Gatorade (powder) and that works for most of my races.  I use protein for longer races, and training such as HIM. example is Hammer's Perpetuem, but there are many others. such as Accelerade.

2011-05-07 11:15 PM
in reply to: #3487316


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Subject: RE: best sports drink???
Personal choice is WATER. Always works for me no matter the distance. Can't stand the taste of any flavored sports drink and they sometimes up upset my stomach so don't use them at all any more. Use some gels or clif bars for long distances that I wash them down with plenty of water.

Makes it real simple. Water is always available on the course
2011-05-08 8:16 AM
in reply to: #3487316

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Master
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Subject: RE: best sports drink???
I like powdered Gatorade for during and Ovaltine chocolate non-fat milk for recovery. Cheap and simple. When I'm feeling particularly organic, I like to brew some Cafe Mate Liven Up - mint flavor and sweeten it with honey for long rides...a nice blend of sugar and caffeine.

As previously suggested, it's highly subjective and personal. What sits well in my gut might upset yours. Try different things. Find what's best for you.
2011-05-08 12:06 PM
in reply to: #3487316

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Subject: RE: best sports drink???
I drink chocolate milk afterwards (soy, because my system doesn't seem to like dairy milk).  If I get any cramping from a long or strenuous workout, I'll mix up some Pedialyte.  Other than that, I just drink water.


2011-05-08 1:51 PM
in reply to: #3487316


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Subject: RE: best sports drink???
Nuun is my go to and used most requently because it allows me to determine whether I want to add carbs or not and its rather mildly flavored.
2011-05-08 1:53 PM
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2011-05-08 1:53 PM
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2011-05-08 4:19 PM
in reply to: #3487316

Pro
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Subject: RE: best sports drink???
Really the only one that works for me is Nuun... I can tolerate some other mixes as well, but never at the very tail end of a long, hard race... just too sensitive.

Good thing about Nuun is always how portable it is... a few extra tablets in a plastic bag in my back pocket and I'm good for any long ride. I can always find water...
2011-05-08 5:18 PM
in reply to: #3487316

Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: best sports drink???
I remember the good old days when it was pretty much Gatorade or Gatorade.  The question would be "what is the best flavor of Gatorade?"


2011-05-08 5:21 PM
in reply to: #3488077

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Subject: RE: best sports drink???
Crazy Pirate - 2011-05-08 6:18 PM I remember the good old days when it was pretty much Gatorade or Gatorade.  The question would be "what is the best flavor of Gatorade?"
Orange.
2011-05-08 6:46 PM
in reply to: #3487316

Expert
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A little slice of paradise
Subject: RE: best sports drink???

What is best for me is Infinit and is I use even during an Ironman.

 

 

2011-05-08 10:01 PM
in reply to: #3487316


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Subject: RE: best sports drink???
Thanks for all the answers.  I can't do Gatorade since I was given that after a surgery and vomited it for hours in the recovery room.  Even the smell of it near by makes me queezy.  But I'll try the other's mentioned.
2011-05-08 10:08 PM
in reply to: #3487316

Veteran
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The Nation's Frosty Capital
Subject: RE: best sports drink???
I think you are dismissing beer too quickly.  I would not start my race or try to hydrate with it, but the right dark ale will juice up the muscles quite effectively following your race. And for the arm chair athlete, dismissing beer is like taking away his / her lazyboy.
2011-05-08 10:23 PM
in reply to: #3487316


17

Subject: RE: best sports drink???
Big Fan of Grime
1 scoop Lemon lime gatorade
2 packets purple g2
the first couple times you drink it on a ride it might sting your throat alittle bit so i would alternate between water and grime
the stinging means your still alive


2011-05-09 10:19 AM
in reply to: #3488171

Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: best sports drink???
Infinit x2.  It is customizable to suit your workout and flavor-level needs.
2011-05-09 12:02 PM
in reply to: #3487316

Master
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Subject: RE: best sports drink???

I am biased, but I like GU Electrolyte Brew the best.  It has a light flavor and tastes good warm and cold.

Post-race, I'm enjoying beverages of the home-brewed variety.

2011-05-09 12:30 PM
in reply to: #3487316

Subject: RE: best sports drink???
2011-06-10 11:53 PM
in reply to: #3487316


1

Subject: RE: best sports drink???

You guys all failed miserably to answer this question. Yes there is a correct answer to this question and gatorade is not the answer nor is chocolate milk. Chocolate milk is not a sports drink. The best sports drink for recovery of sweat loss is POWERADE. Did you guys forget that powerade has an advanced ion4 electrolyte system that restores the sodium,potassium,calcium,and magnesium. Not to mention,it has vitamin B3,B6,and B12.0 grams of fat, and 21 grams of carbs for muscle energy. This is the correct answer. Water will only replace the water lost. It wont replace the salt. Sweat is a combo of salt and water. Gatorade doesnt have the ion4 advanced electrolyte system. Gatorade only replaces the salt and water,it doesnt have as much potassium and it doesnt have calcium or magnesium nor any b vitamins which are essential for proper hydration for muscle repair.

Thanks



Edited by Basketballplayer 2011-06-10 11:57 PM
2011-06-10 11:58 PM
in reply to: #3543515

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Subject: RE: best sports drink???
Basketballplayer - 2011-06-10 11:53 PM

You guys all failed miserably to answer this question. Yes there is a correct answer to this question and gatorade is not the answer nor is chocolate milk. Chocolate milk is not a sports drink. The best sports drink for recovery of sweat loss is POWERADE. Did you guys forget that powerade has an advanced ion4 electrolyte system that restores the sodium,potassium,calcium,and magnesium. Not to mention,it has vitamin B3,B6,and B12.0 grams of fat, and 21 grams of carbs for muscle energy. This is the correct answer. Water will only replace the water lost. It wont replace the salt. Sweat is a combo of salt and water. Gatorade doesnt have the ion4 advanced electrolyte system. Gatorade only replaces the salt and water,it doesnt have as much potassium and it doesnt have calcium or magnesium nor any b vitamins which are essential for proper hydration for muscle repair.

Thanks

Spam fail



2011-06-10 11:59 PM
in reply to: #3487316

Pro
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Subject: RE: best sports drink???
During a race, I prefer Gatorade.  After a race, or whenever I get that sugar craving I drink G2.
2011-06-11 1:27 AM
in reply to: #3487316

Member
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Honolulu
Subject: RE: best sports drink???
+1 for Powerade!

Edited by kepa 2011-06-11 1:28 AM
2011-06-11 10:31 AM
in reply to: #3487316

Expert
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Orlando, FL
Subject: RE: best sports drink???
For the past 15 years I've been using Succeed! products developed by Karl King. First found them via the ultrarunning community. I don't like sweet drinks, and the Succeed Ultra is a light tangy orange flavor. No fructose so easy on my stomach. I use this for anything between 1-3 hours, even earlier if it's hot. If REALLY hot I add S! electrolyte caps after first hour, about 1-2 per hour. If more than 4 hours, I'll switch to Amino which adds amino acids. If more than 6 hours I'll use Clip, which adds amino acids and whey protein and some fat. I also use the pre and post race recovery supplement packs with great success. I can really tell the difference.

I don't work for them - am just a REALLY satisfied 15 year customer. This is a small home-grown company. You can email and Karl will email you back. You can call and talk to a human being. They ship your order out right away, and it arrives quickly.

Try it out - if you are interested but want to taste it, pm me and I'll send you a packet. It's that good - and I want them to keep making the stuff so I'm vested in their success that way.

http://www.succeedscaps.com/index.html
2011-06-11 12:11 PM
in reply to: #3487881

Master
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Central Indiana
Subject: RE: best sports drink???

Emfor - 2011-05-08 2:53 PM HEED... easy on the stomach when the intensity is high.

Not if you are sensitive to xylitol, which many are in higher amounts (e.g. HEED only for >2-3hrs).  I sometimes use HEED, but never been able to figure out why Hammer has it in there.

BTW- there are home-brew recipes posted for sports drinks which you can customize as you like, and maybe even save a little $ (though not always).  Many brews use unsweetened Koolaid (or similar) as base flavor.  You then add your fav carbs, electrolytes, even a bit of proytein if you want. 



Edited by Oldteen 2011-06-11 12:17 PM
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