Gag me!! Anyone using Maurten gels?

[AngryScientist]

I follow some online running people who seem to like the Maurten gels. Picked up a couple at the LRS (local running shop) and took a couple out on a running workout this afternoon.

OMG

I've never had a gel with a texture like this before. It feels like you need to chew the stuff, I almost gagged and threw up with the completely foreign mouth feel. I got one down because I knew I needed the nutrition or the remainder of my workout would not go well, but they are definitely weird to me!

The good news is my belly seemed fine with them once I got it down.

Anyone use and like these? Are all the gels the same in that regard?

Filed under: unpleasant surprises today!

[Spdntrxi]

long time SIS user who switched to Maurten for gels and on bike fuel. Yes the texture is different for both, but for me they are not a sweet as SIS for example which I like. The fuel is a pain in the arse to mix though.

[JWB475]

All of their gels are like that. I am fine with the texture, but can see how it might not be appealing to some.

I love the fact that they are not insanely sweet, and after a hard ride/race when I have had quite a few gels my teeth don't feel like they are going to rot out of my head.

[dustyrider]

I’m all in with untapped maple syrup or honey sticks. I’m not trying to set any KOMs!

[yarbsr02]

I'm with you, felt like it was somewhere between Vaseline and a gelatin (like one that could stand up on its own). Much better when not so surprised on round 2.

[kppolich]

I'm strongly on the side of eating real food unless you are a sponsored athlete or racing where you need quick calories for performance reasons. Never felt better since I stopped with the gels and drink mixes and took care of my daily nutrition macros first.

[NHAero]

Originally Posted by dustyrider

I’m all in with untapped maple syrup or honey sticks. I’m not trying to set any KOMs!

I dunno, but untapped maple syrup makes me think you're hauling around maple trees…

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by NHAero

I dunno, but untapped maple syrup makes me think you're hauling around maple trees…

That takes "unprocessed food" to a whole new level.

[catchourbreath]

Definitely thought it was weird chewing them. SiS was a long favorite but they failed on a customer service issue so now I've been into Bloks/pro bar route.

[dustyrider]

Originally Posted by NHAero

I dunno, but untapped maple syrup makes me think you're hauling around maple trees…

Untapped is the brand. One of my first jobs was tapping maple trees, collecting the sap, and then processing into syrup.

[LadyDog]

Originally Posted by kppolich

I'm on the side of eating real food

I'm kind of in this camp.

[Spdntrxi]

Originally Posted by LadyDog

I'm kind of in this camp.

if everyone stops during a race, count me in.

[Cyzemup]

I had the same experience with the Maurten drink mix. Gut did fine, but it was a struggle to not vomit initially.

[flying]

Not to be a wet blanket but.......

Look at the ingredients...
Water
Sugar
Fructose
Calcium Carbonate
(It works by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach. It belongs to a group of medications called antacids.)

Gluconic Acid
(Gluconic acid and its salts have been used for many applications such as in household cleaner, in industrial cleaner, in inks, paints, dyes, for metal finishing, as paper/textile auxiliaries and in water treatment)

Sodium Alginate
(alginate is used as a thickening agent, gelling agent, emulsifier, stabilizer, texture-improver. ) Guess not in this case for Angry

Kidding aside though I have choked down tone of gels & bars over the decades of Tri & Cycling & I wonder if we realize what we hobby/sports folks are doing to our bodies?

I'm older now get things like Calcium Heart scans & Ultrasound carotid scans & see although we look great on the outside some of our insides do not look great & maybe didn't respond well to this much sugar in our blood etc

Just IMO but....Nothing wrong with whole foods for most of us & this gel type merchandised stuff is just over priced over processed sugars we have gotten used to.

Not meaning to preach of offend but just warn others of things I wished I knew when younger

[flying]

Originally Posted by kppolich

I'm strongly on the side of eating real food unless you are a sponsored athlete or racing where you need quick calories for performance reasons. Never felt better since I stopped with the gels and drink mixes and took care of my daily nutrition macros first.

Exactly
Sorry I didn't see your post before I posted as I would just say +1