You might be surprised to know that I worked for Powerbar. Years ago. I was young, it was the summertime and I was on a break between school years. My buddies and I would work events, pass out the Harvest Bar in train stations, on Metrolink trains, Mountain Bike events, triathlons, running races. I even met Brian Maxwell the founder of Powerbar. I thought that was the coolest thing since sliced bread! I was single, too. To make a short story shorter, at the annual “after Thanksgiving bash” with the Powerbar buddies, I met my future husband. He had gotten to know my friends (Frank and Deb) from all his mountain bike races. So, when we were both the only single people at a married peoples party- you tend to end up sitting next to each other drinking beer. We are obviously still married. Evidence- hubby is wearing his Powerbar Jersey on the author photo!

So when I was contacted by the PR representative for Powerbar to try out the Electrolyte Refuel product by Powerbar, I jumped at the chance! I have some for you too, so, read all the way to the end.

The facts:

Electrolyte Refuel is a 10 calorie drink designed to replace the sweat you lose when working out. The ingredients start with sugar, citric acid, sodium citrate, magnesium sulfate, potassium citrate, natural flavor, sucralose, calcium silicate, and beet juice color. 130 mg of Sodium, 35 mg Potassium, 2 gr of Carbohydrate, and 2 sugars. This product would be fine if you need a sugar flavored drink when your at the gym, maybe.

My opinion:

I’m not convinced that this is THE product for endurance runs or rides. The reading I’ve done do not recommend simple sugars to be combined with serious training.

For further reading, please check out Natural News: “Fatal and Vital News.” or check out the Sugar Blues on Amazon.

Just for you!

If you’d like to try the Powerbar Electrolyte Refuel product, I have an extra box for one of you. Simply leave a comment on this post by July 6th at 9PST and you will be entered to win.  Please feel free to offer up your opinion on refueling for athletes. Thank you for your comments (in advance).

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Organic Evaporated Cane Juice is sugar. Evaporated cane juice is used more widely across the globe and is gaining currency as a euphemism for refined white sugar. (Wikipedia)

Clif Bar was one of the sponsors of the race this weekend and they were happily passing out free canisters of their “Recovery Smoothie” to the first 100 participants. My team and I were all excited to be getting a whole canister of a anything- really. We all stood in line, gave up our email addresses, got our drinks.

Then, I looked at the ingredients. The first one is Organic Evaporated Cane Juice!!

“Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Whey Protein Isolate, Organic Brown Rice Syrup Solids, Organic Alkalized Cocoa Powder, Natural Flavors, Xanthan/Guar Gum, Sea Salt. ”

Basically, Evaporated Cane juice is sugar. A simple sugar- which has been shown in many studies to have detrimental effects on athletes. Read this one or this one.

Why is Clif Bar marketing this product specifically to women? How/why is it called a Recovery Drink? Hammer Nutrition’s “Recoverite” contains Maltodextrin, Whey Protein Isolate, Xylitol, Natural Flavor and White Stevia. On the bottle it states, “If a recovery drink contains any of the above ingredients, it may cause unwanted side effects that may actually hinder your performance or worse.”

So, readers, what do you think? What do you drink as a post-workout- and do you think the Clif Bar Recovery Drink has merit? If you’re craving sugar, wouldn’t it be better to just drink a Coke? Or am I way off base here?

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So, just because you just ran 5 miles doesn’t mean you are done with your workout! You need to recover properly with good hydration and a stretching routine. If you miss the window immediately following a workout by not hydrating properly, you are basically telling your body that that workout didn’t mean anything!

“In fact, instead of getting stronger, your body will be fighting an uphill battle, struggling to rebuild the muscle tissue and maintain halfway decent immunity.” (Athlete Education Series, P. 1 Hammer Nutrition)

Inappropriate fueling post workout can lead to prolonged muscle soreness, opportunity for getting sick more often, and your muscle tissue doesn’t repair properly.

What happens when you do recover with good nutrition.

1. Storing muscle gylcogen so you have more available

2. Repair and rebuild muscle tissue

3. Maintain strong immune system

Please check out the following article on Hammer’s site. Endurance News #50.

For all of you chocolate milk lovers who think that it is a great recovery drink, it really isn’t. It’s really hard to compare chocolate milk to an actual recovery drink. The statistics don’t line up well. Bottom line, athletes need more protein and carbohydrates than fats immediately following a workout. Hydrate properly post workout with a QUALITY performance recovery drink. (I prefer Hammer- but they are not paying me to say that!)

What do you drink post workout?

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