What is the best energy product for distance running?

Running

No matter the distance anything over the distance of 5k (3.1 miles) you will start to deplete your energy stores whether racing or training. It is hard to know what the best option is to restore some energy when they are some many types of fuel out there. Trying to choose one or more that won’t upset your stomach and digestible and meeting your desired taste bud choice can be overwhelming. Here are some options that we have found are particularly good. If we have left off some of your favourite options, then please do comment below.

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These are designed originally for cyclists but are a great option for a runner who prefers not to down a gel. They are literally block shaped chews that come in a pack providing 6 per pack. They are easy to chew whilst still being able to maintain a running pace. The packet is designed to tear easily to provide access. They come in five flavours Mountain Berry and Strawberry. The Black Cherry and Tropical Punch have added caffeine for that extra kick to boost you. The Margarita Citrus has added sodium making this one a good option on a really hot day or if you sweat a lot. Each block provided 30-32 calories. Usually I would opt for chewing two per 5-6.44k (3-4 miles) or every 30-45 mins.

These are more recent company and all their products are vegan friendly. They are a great option if you are looking for 100% natural product too. In a pack of six it provides 168 calories. I found they are soft and easier to chew. I like to refer to them as Turkish delight. These are great to chew and still run. They didn’t have any effect on the stomach. It comes in 4 flavours Lemon and mint, Citrus & Ginger an Apple and Cinnamon. The fourth flavour is Sour cherry and Guava which is a natural caffeine. The good thing is that the taste of them are light and not overbearing which is perfect and they are not sickly sweet.

A plant-based energy bar made from natural ingredients without added sugar. Instead the use of berries and oats are used to produce a slow release of sugar rather than spiking. These are soft and easily chewable on a run. There are five flavours available Chocolate & Sea salt, Lemon & Ginger, Cardamom, Apple & Cinnamon and Red Beets & Orange. The flavours are subtle so as not to be overbearing. It provides around 189 calories per bar.

If you prefer a drinkable way of taking in calories this is another alternatively way of fuelling. You mix this with water and drink from a hand-held bottle, bottle that goes in a running vest or a water bladder. It also provides electrolytes meaning you do not need to have a separate option in your water for this. Each serving is 100 calories. There are four flavours without caffeine being Lemon, Mandarin Orange, Berry and Naked (Unflavoured). There are five options caffeinated which are Raspberry Buzz, Matcha/Green Tea buzz, Tropical Buzz, Colorado Cola and Matcha. This really is a good option if you struggle to chew bars, chews or swallow gels.

The good thing about these gels is the consistency the clue being in the name Aqua. They are a more watered-down version than a lot of gels that can be quite gloppy which makes it hard to want to swallow during running. Some gels require you to drink water with them, however these do not need water to take them. They contain 95 calories per sachet. Suitable for vegans and contain real juices. The flavours available without caffeine are Orange and Berry. The caffeinated flavours are Citrus and Berry.

Do you have another suggestion? Vote here and then leave a comment to tell us what we missed.

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