Would you really eat that?

Would you really eat that?

Before and during sporting events, athletes need to maintain energy and nutrient levels to perform at their best. Recently, popular choices for fast energy have become energy drinks, gels and bars. But do they really work better than eating a conventional diet? Energy gels, for instance, don’t provide the consumer with anything more than grape jelly. The only way they are better than jelly is that the packets are designed for quick use. Carrying a jar of grape jelly would not be advantageous to a marathon runner.

Similarly, poptarts are no better in terms of sugar and carbohydrate content than most power bars. Trail mix also works as well. Essentially, the energy food craze was borne out of effective advertising and design. Power bars and energy gels are designed with the needs in athletes in mind. Many commercials for items such as Gatorade make the product seem necessary in order to become a successful athlete when in reality water is the best way to rehydrate.

Most additives to these products do not even benefit athletes. Stone research foundation realized that caffeine, as a stimulant, and creatine, for muscle mass, are the only additives that boost performance. All other substances can be found in a balanced diet. So is it worth the extra money for the convenience? Manufacturers hope it is.