Improve Performance with Sport Nutrition Products

 For time crunched athletes (I think that covers pretty much everyone), sport nutrition products are a great option.   They’re convenient, taste great, and can help an athlete reach performance goals.

 Like any “convenience” food, however, not all choices are good ones. To get the maximum benefit from these “designer” products, it is important to follow the “3-R” rule:  

• right product
• right time
• right amount

 Right Product Choice

             “The Clif Bar philosophy is one that stresses using recognizable ingredients that are closest to foods.”  Tara DelloIacono, RD, is the nutrition strategist for Clif Bar, Inc.  “We avoid using processed ingredients like high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated fats… in 2003, Clif bar became the first major energy bar to obtain organic certification.”

Because of their ‘real food’ approach and wholesome organic ingredients, Clif Bar is my top choice for a sport nutritional.  

Let’s look at some typical problems endurance athletes face:  bonking, dehydration, gastrointestinal problems, long recovery time, and fatigue.    

  Maintaining Energy 

           I hear about “bonking” problems a lot from male athletes. There seems to be a variety of reasons why they crash during race situations.  Some can’t get through a race without vomiting; typically these athletes are working at a high intensity level, or have tried to consume a high caloric meal replacement supplement over a short duration of time.

It is important to find some source of energy that you can tolerate.  The safest way to deliver quick energy is with a high glycemic index carbohydrate, mixed in with a little sodium and caffeine to speed absorption.

Nutrition training tip: CLIF Shot energy gel is ideal product for quick energy during exercise. Take 1-2  CLIF Shots after each hour of exercise. Always take your shot with 3-4 oz of water. 

 Dehydration

  Dehydration problems can put an early end to a race.  Many athletes prefer to drink plain water while exercising.  The good news is all CLIF Shot products contain sodium, potassium, and magnesium, essential minerals lost in sweat, so water plus a couple of CLIF shots are a viable combination.  Some athletes are “salty sweaters”, however, and tend to lose high amounts of sodium. If you fall into this category, then CLIF Shot Electrolyte replacement drink is a great choice, supplying 200 mg of sodium per 16 oz of fluid, which is almost double the amount of a traditional hydration drink.    

Nutrition training tip: unacclimatized runners and “salty” sweaters need higher amounts of sodium in their fluids than traditional sports drinks offer. 

 Dodging Montezuma’s Revenge

           Some unlucky athletes are plagued by the problem of frequent port-a-potty stops.  Munching on egg bagels, candy bars, or Krispie Kemes won’t do much for the health of your gastrointestinal tract.  Fiber and constituents of whole grains such as psyllium and inulin are known to help encourage the growth of gut friendly bacteria.  You can get yours from the traditional Clif Bar which provides 5 grams of fiber per serving, or the all-natural protein CLIF Builder’s bar, checking in at 4 grams of fiber per bar.  

Nutrition training tip:  build muscle and friendly bugs in the same bite; follow your run with a CLIF builder’s bar for a protein boost and fiber.

 Recover Faster

           “I feel great during the workout – but then it takes me twice as long to recover as it used to.”

          I hear a version of that complaint from a lot of athletes who have already celebrated their 40^th birthday.  Not only does it take longer to recover, their lifestyle discourages getting adequate rest time between training sessions.

          CLIF Shot Recovery drink is a convenient solution to quicker recovery for runners who have a chaotic schedule.  Just scoop, mix, and go.  When your workout is over, drink.  It’s that simple.  Each serving provides 31 grams of carbohydrate, 6 grams of protein, and amino acids glutamine, arginine, valine and isoleucine for enhanced glycogen synthesis.    Just what your body needs to recover quickly.

Nutrition training tip: To speed recovery, drink a CLIF Shot Recovery drink within 30 minutes after a workout.  Waiting several hours to eat a meal after a run will lengthen recovery time.

Smart use of sport nutrition products can help you make the most of limited training time, and help you perform at your best. 

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