Energy Products

PowerBar Gel Packets

Depending on the texture that you like, 5/5 is what I give this product. I personally enjoy using PowerBar Gel compared to GU packets. The texture is custard like, a bit thick and intense at first, but you'll eventually get use to it.

PowerBar Gel Blasts

UPDATE: Heartburn :(

Just bought these. Thought I'd give it a try, unfortunately I freaked out for a second due to the products ingredients listing:

"Ingredients

C2 MAX ENERGY BLEND (SUGAR, GLUCOSE SYRUP FROM WHEAT, INVERT SUGAR), WATER, GELATIN, 2% OR LESS OF: RASPBERRY PUREE, RASPBERRY JUICE CONCENTRATE, SODIUM ASCORBATE (VITAMIN C), CITRIC ACID, TARTARIC ACID, MALIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, GLYCERIN, CARRAGEENAN, LOCUST BEAN GUM, NATURAL FLAVORS, SORBITOL, COCONUT AND/OR PALM KERNEL OIL, CARNAUBA WAX, BLACK CARROT JUICE COLOR. MADE ON EQUIPMENT THAT ALSO PROCESSES MILK."

I thought, O no. But according to the website:

• Wheat/Gluten: Gel Blasts energy chews do contain glucose syrup which is made from wheat, but do not contain gluten. PowerBar Gel Blasts energy chews do not contain rye, oats or barley. If you are allergic to rye, oats or barley, we recommend that you could use Gel Blasts energy chews. If you are allergic to wheat, we recommend that you do not use Gels Blasts energy chews. If you are gluten intolerant, we cannot define Gel Blasts energy chews as a gluten-free product since this is a claim not yet defined by FDA but there is a proposed definition under consideration. Traditionally "gluten-free" simply meant that the product contained no ingredients that were a source of gluten harmful to those with celiac sprue/gluten intolerance — rye, oats, wheat and barley, as opposed to gluten from corn or rice which is not harmful.

• Consult with your physician for more information on food allergies or sensitivities.

So we're good! I'll update on this product soon!

GU Packets

I tried the Vanilla Bean, very different compared to the PowerBar. I did not like these gels. They were hard and hard to swallow when running. The flavor was icky, and the texture was similar to solidified honey.

SportsBeans

Quick and easy to swallow. I was always worried about running with these, because I would smile to car when running, and thought, "My teeth are most likely stained red from these beans" Because I would spit too, and it would be red. Red Saliva=red teeth?!

If you don't want to consume the entire Gel packet or energy bar, these could help towards the last stretch or mile of your runs. I defiantly recommend.