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Replace powerbar with bagel?

3299 Views 17 Replies 15 Participants Last post by UrbanPrimitive, May 26, 2010

Morris Buttermaker

Discussion Starter · May 24, 2010

Is there something a powerbar can provide that a simple bagel can't?

I was thinking it would be easier to nibble on one and might last longer through a ride than a sugary pb. Plus, no unwrapping to do.

Edit: Is the reason the pb is slightly sugary because it needs to replace lost sugars and a bagel could not be turned into simple sugars so easily?

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

ptfmb71

· #2 · May 24, 2010

If you are just on a training ride anything will do....eat whatever you like more. During a race that last 3hrs to 12hrs I use Bonk Breakers (PB&J flavor). I will have to stop at some point to fill up my water so I have no problem unwrapping it....I like the way they taste and they pack in about 250 calories.
If the race is under 3hrs I use Gels and anything I can eat while I am on the bike.....I put stuff in sandwich bags because I don't want them to get wet from my sweat in the back pocket.

Morris Buttermaker

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 24, 2010

I'm not racing or anything, just hour to two hour group rides...25 to 40 miles...

I'll give it a shot, maybe keep a bar or some GU for backup the first time I try.

BuckeyeBiker

· #4 · May 24, 2010

At those distances you shouldn't need any food or calories unless the intensity is sky high, and at that point you're better off taking in calories from fluids since it's easier to get down.

easyridernyc

· #5 · May 24, 2010

in the morning, yeah, probably, fresh is always good. but as the time wears on during the day, i would imagine a bagel might be a bit tough to get down and start metabolizing, heavy starch in warm tummy probably not the most efficient way to go...

powerbars work really really well during the daytime ride. bit tough to unwrap but once you sink your teeth in the engine room is already going to work. easy metabolizin

ZoSoSwiM

· #6 · May 24, 2010

Fig bars.

They're super cheap and a pack will last you many rides. Put them in a zip lock and eat one every 20 minutes or so. They go down decently well and they taste better than most bars.

Clif peanut butter bars are awesome though!

bmxhacksaw

· #7 · May 24, 2010

I've pretty much stopped taking all supplements and have focused on a better diet. But since I can't breathe through my nose I have to use liquid nutrition on the bike so I have to use gels and Accelerade in my water bottle.

My new favorite thing though is a smoothie about a half hour before I ride:

1 can of coconut water/juice (from Walmart)

1 Banana
1 cup frozen blue or black berries
1 Scoop vanilla protein powder
and a squeeze of honey

YUM.

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mdmoore99

· #8 · May 24, 2010

captain-ahab said:
I'm not racing or anything, just hour to two hour group rides...25 to 40 miles...

I'll give it a shot, maybe keep a bar or some GU for backup the first time I try.

1 - 2 hour ride, no food needed.

Stick a banana in your back pocket if you need, cheap and comes in a bio-wrapper !

jsedlak

· #9 · May 24, 2010

Banana, or two gels is fine for 2-3 hours for me. Supplemented with a sports drink.

mohair_chair

· #10 · May 24, 2010

If that 25-40 miles was on a mountain bike on a tough course, then a bagel + smear would be great. Even two bagels. But on a road bike in a group ride? That's typically 1-2 hours of riding and a bagel is probably overkill. In that case, it's more important what you ate last night. Bring a banana or a PB&J.

PlatyPius

· #11 · May 24, 2010

captain-ahab said:
Is there something a powerbar can provide that a simple bagel can't?

I was thinking it would be easier to nibble on one and might last longer through a ride than a sugary pb. Plus, no unwrapping to do.

Edit: Is the reason the pb is slightly sugary because it needs to replace lost sugars and a bagel could not be turned into simple sugars so easily?

I misread your title. I thought it said you were considering replacing your power meter with a bagel, which I thought was possibly the smartest thing I've read in a while. Bagel weighs less and actually has some performance value.

pretender

· #12 · May 24, 2010

bmxhacksaw said:
But since I can't breathe through my nose I have to use liquid nutrition on the bike so I have to use gels and Accelerade in my water bottle.

You can breathe through your mouth while chewing on bars and the like. Considered gauche at the table but fine on the bike.

Creakyknees

· #13 · May 24, 2010

PlatyPius said:
I misread your title. I thought it said you were considering replacing your power meter with a bagel, which I thought was possibly the smartest thing I've read in a while. Bagel weighs less and actually has some performance value.

there's my new sig, and thank you sir!

bmxhacksaw

· #14 · May 24, 2010

pretender said:
You can breathe through your mouth while chewing on bars and the like. Considered gauche at the table but fine on the bike.

It's pretty tough, I usually end up inhaling something.

PlatyPius

· #15 · May 25, 2010

Creakyknees said:
there's my new sig, and thank you sir!

You're quite welcome, kind sir...

ghostryder

· #16 · May 25, 2010

I gu or a banana works for me, before i ride. One glass of water with either one. I take two bottles, one water, one gatorade. Sometimes i don't finish the bottles, but if i ride hard then i'll need both.

Kerry Irons

· #17 · May 25, 2010

Glycemic index

captain-ahab said:
Is there something a powerbar can provide that a simple bagel can't?

I was thinking it would be easier to nibble on one and might last longer through a ride than a sugary pb. Plus, no unwrapping to do.

Edit: Is the reason the pb is slightly sugary because it needs to replace lost sugars and a bagel could not be turned into simple sugars so easily?

Powerbars have some protein, but if you went with a whole wheat bagel, it probably would have a lower glycemic index than the power bar and so maybe a bit better duration of the burn. Mostly a toss. Me, I'd go with the fig bars.

UrbanPrimitive

· #18 · May 26, 2010

Kerry Irons hit the nail before I could, but allow me to smash away at it anyhow. The real question is nutrient content and glycemic index. Depending on what type of powerbar you're trying to replace, the bagel may work out just fine if you have a good quality, whole grain bagel. That said, there are a lot of different kinds of powerbars out there. I used to practically live off the Protein Plus Reduced Sugar bars trying to keep my blood sugar level doing construction. It was a quick shot of protein and practically no sugar. The standard powerbars have a lot more sugar and drastically higher carbohydrate content. So, if it's carbs you're looking for, sure. Have a bagel. If you're trying to replace everything a powerbar gives you with less sugar, have a bagel with a smear of hummus. If you're looking at replacing a protein plus powerbar, you'll need to plan ahead a little more. You could try baking your own. I've had this one before, and it's pretty decent:

Alton Brown is the man.

*edit* It's also worth remembering that for a person to properly digest a powerbar, one needs to consume at least 16oz of water with the bar! Otherwise you're only getting a fraction of the nutrition in the bar, because your body can't sufficiently rehydrate the material to allow full digestion on its own.

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