General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Snickers as a training food Rss Feed  
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2008-09-11 9:56 PM

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Subject: Snickers as a training food
This maybe a dumb question but with the cost of all the powerbars and gels. I was wondering if anyone supplements those with candy bars on their long rides. I will be training for an IM in 2009 and am looking for some ideas.


2008-09-11 9:58 PM
in reply to: #1669412

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Tyler,
Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food

I had a friend in highschool/college cross country who would swear by them. I ate one the other day a long with handful of peanut butter cups.

 On a serious note I sometimes use Great Value Choclate granola bars to help, but you need to eat like 2 or 3 to match up to the Powerbar (or other).

2008-09-11 10:05 PM
in reply to: #1669412

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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food
it looks like the snickers bar has much more fat and much less carbs and protein. overall it has more calories which is nice. i'd say try them out on a long ride. they probably make a mess of you jersey if you aren't careful.

they handed out snickers marathon bars toward the end of las vegas marathon and the chocolate was exactly what i needed to recompose myself and keep going.
2008-09-11 10:17 PM
in reply to: #1669412

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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food
If it tastes good and you can tolerate it-GO FOR IT!  I hear Snickers REALLY satisfy.
2008-09-11 10:27 PM
in reply to: #1669412

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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food
Paydays rule on long rides
2008-09-12 5:33 AM
in reply to: #1669412

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food
My husband uses the mini ones on his marathon training long runs- only in the winter though!  


2008-09-12 6:26 AM
in reply to: #1669682

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food

The FDA nutritional data for Snickers Marathon bar indicate 322 cal with 20g protein, 42g carbs, 8g fats.

http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/snacks/9963/2

2008-09-12 6:35 AM
in reply to: #1669412

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Master
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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food
I have used M&M's during a run before. I am not sure if it was the day, or the sugar in them, but I had a great run.

I would just worry about the Snickers bar melting on a warm/hot day before you could eat it.
2008-09-12 7:51 AM
in reply to: #1669412

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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food
I'm a fan of Snickers before long bikes.  The chocolaty layer also serves as a thermometer so you know how to gauge your hydration.  If the Snickers bar melts as you're driving along, be extra mindful of taking in fluids.  If the chocolate stays coherent but soft, its a good day to ride.  If your bar is crunchy, better bring the leg warmers, skully, and the crab mittens.
2008-09-12 8:35 AM
in reply to: #1669412

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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food

As long as you can tolerate the Snickers then I see no reason why you shouldn't use them.  The only problem with chocolate is that it melts if it gets hot and you end up with a stick chocolate mess, which invariably ends up all over you and your bike (at least it does with me).

The only times I use energy bars/gels is a) when I'm racing and b) when I'm doing high intensity stuff because I simply can't stomach 'real' food.  Otherwise I use chocolate bars and/or Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Elevenses  cake bakes.

2008-09-12 8:40 AM
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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food
My coach eats baby ruths.


2008-09-12 8:58 AM
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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food
ChrisM - 2008-09-11 10:27 PM

Paydays rule on long rides



I second that. My long rides are too hot for a chocolate covered Snickers. Paydays are perfect.
2008-09-12 9:17 AM
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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food
For everyone of my long rides during IM training, I'd stop to reload on gatorade and buy a snickers at the store. It was a treat that I'd really look forward to. That was typically hour 4 of a 6hr ride.

If they didn't melt, I would have packed a few on my bike for the actual race.

FishHog
2008-09-12 9:23 AM
in reply to: #1669719

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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food
sty - 2008-09-12 7:26 AM

The FDA nutritional data for Snickers Marathon bar indicate 322 cal with 20g protein, 42g carbs, 8g fats.

http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/snacks/9963/2

Yes....they have the consistency of saw dust though.  :-)



Edited by Afletcher 2008-09-12 9:25 AM
2008-09-12 9:30 AM
in reply to: #1669990

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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food
Marathon ENERGY bars are better tasting and better consistency....less nutritionally though.
2008-09-12 9:38 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food
you might have to eat a few of them to equal a powerbar or they might melt if it is hot out. The other thing is do you like protein in your bars?


2008-09-12 9:46 AM
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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food
I would think the chocolate would get really messy, but I bet it would be a tasty treat on a long bike. My friend trained for IM last year with paydays. Pretty much a snickers without the chocolate.
2008-09-12 9:54 AM
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Lake in the Hills, IL
Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food
I guess from what I'm reading paydays are the way to go. It is funny how you don't think of things like the chocolate melting. I would have found that one out pretty quickly.
2008-09-12 10:03 AM
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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food

ChrisM - 2008-09-11 10:27 PM Paydays rule on long rides

Might satisfy your cravings but leave you lacking in the fueling department. Almost half the calories come from fat (blue part of the pie):

Payday

Clif Bar as a frame of reference (green is carbs):

Clif

Both have 240 calories. I buy Clif bars at ~80¢ from Walmart and online, not much more expensive than a candy bar.



Edited by the bear 2008-09-12 10:07 AM
2008-09-12 10:11 AM
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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food

They melt ...... simple as that.  Can't carry them on a ride because of that.

I eat junk food all the time, but not because I'm trying to use things as a workout fuel.  Only because I have terrible habits and a (whole bunch of) sweet tooth.

2008-09-12 11:42 AM
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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food
Question on this general topic: I had a 20k the weekend before last and took in a GU halfway through which totally wrecked me..thought I was gonna toss my cookies the rest of the race....which got me to thinking...can we do this endurance training business w/o the GUs & bars?  In other words, what other options are out there?  Since that race, I've been anti-GU in the worst way.  For my long-er bike rides (I'm only up to just shy of 3 hours) I used clif blocks..and I like them...but I know come 8 hrs, I'll need more...and I know I'll use cytomax or something like that..but for CHEWING...what are our options, our non-chemically enginneered ones, that is.  BF has dropped the peanut m&m's/snickers/milky way option for training (i.e., great idea for my special needs bag...or for a marathon)......just wondering everyone's thoughts? ..maybe I should post this in the nutrition section as well...thanks!


2008-09-12 11:45 AM
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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food

Last summer on my long rides I would eat Snickers quite often. Running low on fuel I would hit the corner gas station and get more gatorade and usually a Snickers. It would get me another 30-40 miles

King Size of course!!

2008-09-12 11:46 AM
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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food
Daremo - 2008-09-12 11:11 AM

They melt ...... simple as that.  Can't carry them on a ride because of that.

I eat junk food all the time, but not because I'm trying to use things as a workout fuel.  Only because I have terrible habits and a (whole bunch of) sweet tooth.

Amen brother! My problem exactly.

2008-09-12 11:56 AM
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Subject: RE: Snickers as a training food
the bear - 2008-09-12 8:03 AM

ChrisM - 2008-09-11 10:27 PM Paydays rule on long rides

Might satisfy your cravings but leave you lacking in the fueling department. Almost half the calories come from fat (blue part of the pie):

Payday

Clif Bar as a frame of reference (green is carbs):

Clif

Both have 240 calories. I buy Clif bars at ~80¢ from Walmart and online, not much more expensive than a candy bar.

True, but I don't use them for fuel.  That's what the infinit is for.  I use them as a palate cleanser and to get some salty taste.  Also a little bulk.  Need something different after 5 hours on the bike and the salty taste hits the spot

ETA - and see Daremo's reasons too



Edited by ChrisM 2008-09-12 11:58 AM
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