the GU's, the shot blocks, trail mix bars, and the occasional Payday or Salted Nut Roll. I raid this bowl whenever I'm packing for a ride longer than about 90 minutes. I haven't been much into GU's this season, therefore at least a dozen little foil packets fill the bottom of my snack bowl. and as of today, nothing sits on top of them. nothing.
I told this to bill the other day, and he said, well, don't you replenish the bowl? well, duh, a light bulb went on over my head. I usually do, during cycling season. but since cycling season has been on this long, dragged-out, slowly dying end run, my replenishment hasn't kept up with the riding, and thus my goodies have run out too soon. before the snow has taken over. and I guess I've been on more of a short-ride mentality, not thinking I need as many treats because I'm not riding big long rides.
this reminds me of the well: we need to refill our well if we're going to be pulling from it to get ourselves (and others) through the day.
I have not replenished my snack bowl well.
tsk, tsk.
so treats have been on my mind. thus, I thought I would inform you of exactly what goes into a GU:
Maltodextrin: a complex carbohydrate which is easily absorbed from the gut and provides glucose polymers for sustained energy.
Fructose: the principal sugar in fruit. This sugar works in conjunction with maltodextrin to provide energy. Fructose is absorbed rapidly, but utilized more slowly than glucose.
GU Herbal Blend: a unique blend of performance-enhancing herbs; cola nut (caffeine), chamomile, and ginseng. Caffeine aids in the metabolism of fats for longer-lasting energy. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties. Ginseng, Siberian and Korean, has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine to enhance energy production.
Leucin and Valine: branched-chain amino acids, which provide up to 5% of the calories burned during exercise. Endurance activities can lead to deficiencies in blood leucine, which the body tries to restore by degrading muscle. These amino acids also play an important role in maintaining focus and concentration.
GU Antioxidant Blend: a blend of Vitamin C and Vitamin E that is designed to protect tissues by neutralizing free radicals which are produced by the muscle's use of oxygen during exercise.
Histidine: an essential amino acid that acts as a buffer to slow the build up of lactic acid.
Potassium and Sodium Citrate: essential minerals that must be replaced during exercise to maximize performance through the optimal absorption of liquids.
Pectin: a natural fiber without bulk that controls the absorption of ingredients from the gut, helping to minimize the stomach distress many people experience with sports bars, drinks, and other gels.
Sea Salt: a natural source of sodium which includes essential minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc.
Calcium Carbonate: an easily absorbed form of calcium which plays a large role in muscle contractions.
slightly scary, isn't it?do you wonder why they're still available in my snack bowl?
my favorite thing these days are Cliff Mojo Mountain Mix bars. boy, that's a mouthful. (pun not really intended but then when I caught it I liked it and left it in.) I like these bars because they're substantial; I feel like I'm really eating something. I hate to waste my calories on things I don't get to chew.
so, I ordered a box of mountain mix bars, and they arrived today, and now ~ phew ~ the snack bowl just might get replenished.
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