Perhaps I oversold it with the title and graphic. In case you’ve learn earlier evaluations, it’s best to know that I don’t imagine there are scrumptious vitality gels, solely palatable ones that do the job.
Vanilla Bean and Peanut Butter vitality gels by GU Vitality Labs and Hammer Vitamin are a step above being simply “palatable.” I nonetheless wouldn’t wish to eat them daily, however for races just a few instances a yr? They ain’t unhealthy.
The 2 OGs are main gamers in sports activities diet for a cause. Their vitality gels merely work and are reasonably priced in contrast with some newcomers.
For this overview, I’ll focus much less on efficiency and extra on their flavors and elements.
(I imply, what’s there actually to say about efficiency? Tens of hundreds of endurance athletes, together with prime professionals, are utilizing their merchandise. That’s proof sufficient.)
GU Vanilla Bean Vitality Gels
I first tried Vanilla Bean on the Tarawera Ultramarathon 100km in 2017 (nice race, extremely advocate). The occasion had it at an support station round 80km. Free gels? Hells yeah! I grabbed a pair for the ultimate stretch and was pleasantly shocked by the first rate style. This vitality gel has been a part of my fueling technique ever since.
Components and dietary information
GU Vanilla Bean gives 100 energy and 22g of carbohydrates per packet, simply what the physique wants. The vitality gel additionally consists of further goodies equivalent to 450 mg of branded chain amino acids (BCAA) , 60 mg of sodium, 20 mg of caffeine, and electrolytes potassium and calcium. It’s a well-balanced possibility.
The vast majority of the carbohydrates come from maltodextrin and fructose.
In contrast with different sugars, maltodextrin requires much less water to digest, and it’s a great way to get fast energy with out turning into dehydrated. We additionally clarify why fructose is utilized in vitality gels right here.
Style and consistency
The consistency of Vanilla Bean is the usual GU affair, leaning to the thicker facet of the spectrum. The ingredient checklist simply states “pure taste,” so I’m unsure the place the vanilla taste is extracted from. In case you’re a fan of vanilla ice-cream or vanilla milkshake, it’s a syrupy model of that kind of style.
Clearly, I nonetheless wouldn’t wish to eat Vanilla Bean each day, however the style isn’t unhealthy as race gasoline.
Packaging
GU is without doubt one of the first to package deal vitality gels in this sort of broad on the backside and slim on the prime design. It’s a format that endurance athletes are very used to by now. It’s simple to tear open with two fingers or rip open with one hand and your tooth. The whole lot works correctly.
Hammer Peanut Butter Vitality Gel
The primary vitality gel I had ever bought was from Hammer. The model presents a wide selection of flavors, not fairly as many as GU, however with 12 completely different choices, there are lots to select from. The corporate has some of the various product portfolios, starting from drink mixes, bars, and each day dietary supplements to clothes, books, and even CBD balms.
Components and dietary information
Hammer Peanut Butter gives 100 energy and 20g of carbohydrates per sachet. The gel can be maltodextrin-based. It incorporates rice dextrin and dextrose, however the two elements are used for flavoring and preservatives, respectively, contributing minimally to the general carbohydrate content material.
Hammer performs up its BCAA elements, which assist with stopping muscle tissue breakdown and fatigue throughout train.
- Maltodextrin
- Water
- Tapioca syrup
- Vitality Good (grape juice, rice dextrin)
- Pure peanut butter (dry roasted peanuts)
- Cultured dextrose
- Salt
- Ascorbic acid
- L-Leucine
- L-Alanine
- L-Valine
- Potassium carbonate
- L-Isoleucine
Style and consistency
I’m a giant peanut butter man. A kind of maniacs that eat peanut butter straight out of the jar with a spoon, so this taste is correct in my wheelhouse.
The vitality gel has pure dry roasted peanut butter, which contributes to the nice taste. I typically unfold the gel over toast for a carbohydrate-dense pre-workout meal. Concerning the feel, it’s a thick syrup, the identical as different Hammer vitality gels. No surprises.
Packaging
Hammer and GU implement comparable packaging designs, so I don’t have a lot so as to add right here. Nonetheless, Hammer gives vitality gels in a jug as effectively. In case you’re extra environmentally aware, you’ll be able to pour vitality gels into your flasks and bottles straight from the jug and make vitality drinks as an alternative.
This works effectively for exercises and longer races the place you’ll deliver your personal water. It additionally permits extra exact personalization as you’ll be able to decide in the event you want a kind of concentrated gasoline.
Nonetheless, packets are nonetheless the higher possibility for non-elite marathoners and half-marathoners who received’t have the luxurious of their very own water bottles positioned all through the course.
Conclusion
- In case you are a fan of vanilla milkshakes and peanut butter, I feel one can find these two vitality gels very acceptable.
- Hammer and GU have been within the vitality gasoline enterprise for many years, so their merchandise, when it comes to effectiveness and packaging, merely work.
- Whereas they use synthetic elements and preservatives, I don’t eat vitality gels each day or for his or her well being advantages. For racing functions, I received’t fret over it.
- In case your abdomen agrees extra with pure elements, listed here are our picks for one of the best all-natural vitality gels.
