And here I thought you were going to rip on sports bars. Or profess your love for them... and the wings and beer they serve... mmmm

Chicken wing & beer flavored energy bars! Yum!

They are not Candy bars; look at a "Good BAR" like LEAD BODY BARS. They are high in protien low in sugar and they have good carbs. Don't look at the front of the bars look at what is inside. They are a good quick food.

-Boston

Here is an interesting read for all you bar heads!

cspinet.org/nah/12_00/barexam.html

Sure..the info is dated (2000) but it goes along with a number of articles of recent interest that talk about bars as a meal replacement being bad idea.

Ya, I like sportsbars more for recovery - especially since some have a good amount of protein. I stick to gels during training and racing. They are fine when short on time for a regular meal.

Our tri club recently had the Queen of Kona, Paula Newby Fraser as a guest who told us that her favorite race bar was a Twix (no joke). Despite the fact that she was long sponsored by MetRx, she would hide her twix bars in the MetRx wrappers! Tough to argue with the champ!

Bars are very high in calories. If you are an ectomorph that loses weight if you don't eat regularly, then go for it. Otherwise, the best and most inexpensive portable food is the banana. They even sell them in convinence stores and gas stations now. I eat so many that when I walk the back of my hands drag on the ground.

Sports bars are a supplement to a healthy diet. Of course you shouldn't live off of them, but they can help you when you need them. Long workouts, on the go, if you don't have time to prepare something, there are times for them. Yes, I know, some are packed with sugars and fat, you just have to make choices to pick the best and most nutritional ones and know when to eat them. Depending on your goals and training intensities will determine if and when you should be consuming these bars.

Back in the day, cycylists would eat snickers for energy. You have your peanuts, caramel, nugget, and chocolate for energy, good enough eehh!??

I have also been on long rides where guys pick up a drumstick ice cream in the middle of the ride. I thought it was the weirdest thing I have ever seen. But, it kind of made sense if you are looking for quick energy, right?

I ran into a gal on the IMFL course who had KFC mashed potatoes in a pastry tube taped to her frame. After several hours of sugary drinks and gels, those mashed potatoes looked goooooood.

There is a savory nut bar out there, it's like a salty almond and peanut bar, can't remember what it's called right now though...

Sometimes I use Take 5 candy bars during races (peanuts, peanut butter, pretzels, caramel, chocolate). For my first IM I was using bars I didn't like (my gut isn't picky, just my tastebuds). And chopped into pieces the same size I never knew with a blind grab if I'd get yummy Take5 or yucky bar. But either one I'd eat, and then 20 minutes later play that lotto again. I really liked that combo of salty with the pretzels. I've also just used choc or yogurt covered pretzels during adv races.

I agree with the posts made that some bars are a good supplement for mid-meal snacks. I use Aussie Bodies protein bars because of the whey protein they use. Im not sure if you can get these in the US though.

During training, Ive used gatorade, gels and powerbars and once tried small sandwiches with pickles and ketchup for my longest ride ever of 70km.

I like gatorade but it is a bit sweet and by the end of the session all I can think about it water and brushing my teeth.

Gels are okay but personally hate the wrapping and the waste. Id rather make my own snacks and save money, whilst doing my bit for the environment. A little kodak film container kept in a pouch at the front of your bike or in your shirt pocket with home made sludge is a creative option. Ofcourse, you have to set aside the time to make the sludge and fill up the containers.

Or make your own bars. There are some great posts on this site on home made recipes that I have yet to try. I usually just through whatever I have together and see what happens. My Mum offers great feedback on my experiments. :D

Just trial and error as they say.

chavi