Energy Bars , Gels etc

[GCShrimper]

Good morning,

I was diagnosed type 2 about 4 months ago. Sticking to the a decent diet and taking the metformin, I have managed to get my BG down to acceptable levels.

The problem is that I cycle and I used to be able to go out first thing in the morning and put in a moderate ride of about 25 miles without the need to eat much before or during the ride. Now I start knocking at about 12 miles ! (I don't take my meds before I ride , I have heard about metformin / exercise induced Hypo's)
Obviously I need fuel on board , but fuel is carbs and I am aware that I need to keep my carbs down. Does anyone on hear know of any energy bars or gels which are suitable for diabetics , or is it ok just to eat "normal" stuff in the hope that any spikes will be taken care of by the exercise.

 

[Brunneria]

Hi,

You may find this post, and the one after it interesting.

X-pert course updated to include LCHF

although the rest of the thread makes some very weird reading!

And have a look through the exercise and fitness section of the forum - lots of info on how people cope with some pretty full-on exercise regimes, and different eating patterns.

 

[ally1]

I would steer clear of the energy bar

 

[GCShrimper]

I would steer clear of the energy bar

Why would that be ?,
Do you think that I would need to up my BPM to maybe about the 70% in order to keep my BG levels down if I took an energy bar ? or do are there just more carbs than I need and I would spike after the exercise unless I did more ?

I am struggling with my weight a bit too, got down to 87kg from 96kg when I was diagnosed , so I really don't want to finish my ride with a calorie excess at the end of the ride, but I am depleting too early in the ride and looking for a suitable top up.

 

[petepontiac]

Don't know if these would be suitable. isotonic Energy Gels from Morrison's. 22grm carbs 0.6grm sugar. I find they work well for me.

 

[GCShrimper]

Don't know if these would be suitable. isotonic Energy Gels from Morrison's. 22grm carbs 0.6grm sugar. I find they work well for me.

Thanks, I will give them a try, If I can find a Morrisons that is , we have a local a miles or so away

 

[ally1]

Why would that be ?,
Do you think that I would need to up my BPM to maybe about the 70% in order to keep my BG levels down if I took an energy bar ? or do are there just more carbs than I need and I would spike after the exercise unless I did more ?

I am struggling with my weight a bit too, got down to 87kg from 96kg when I was diagnosed , so I really don't want to finish my ride with a calorie excess at the end of the ride, but I am depleting too early in the ride and looking for a suitable top up.

there's too much sugar in them

 

[debsugs]

Hi

Have a look at www.runsweet

It has lots of info about replacing carbs when exercising

 

[GCShrimper]

there's too much sugar in them

Thanks,

tbh, I wasn't really considering those with sugars , it was more the impact of the complex carbs I was concerned about.

 

[Robinredbreast]

Thanks,

tbh, I wasn't really considering those with sugars , it was more the impact of the complex carbs I was concerned about.

A 9 bar could work, if you can tolerate nuts and seeds. A pack of 5, from Tesco, costs £2.50 and each bar is 10.7 carbs for the original, with others in different varieties.
Good luck with the cycling and weight loss.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. With excess weight, I assume you may have a reasonable amount of stored fat? If possible you need to gradually train your body to go into ketosis to burn that fat rather than any carbs you take. I'm not an expert in that area but perhaps someone else can help or Google the web.

 

[GCShrimper]

Thanks for all the responses.
I will have to juggle all the suggestions and see which looks best

 

[kakoullou2013]

Why dont you have a banana instead

 

[Robbity]

Get yourself a copy of Volek and Phinney's book The art and science of low carbohydrate performance. You can obtain it from Amazon. They did low carb research with cyclists.

Robbity

 

[Ajay76]

Good morning,

I was diagnosed type 2 about 4 months ago. Sticking to the a decent diet and taking the metformin, I have managed to get my BG down to acceptable levels.

The problem is that I cycle and I used to be able to go out first thing in the morning and put in a moderate ride of about 25 miles without the need to eat much before or during the ride. Now I start knocking at about 12 miles ! (I don't take my meds before I ride , I have heard about metformin / exercise induced Hypo's)
Obviously I need fuel on board , but fuel is carbs and I am aware that I need to keep my carbs down. Does anyone on hear know of any energy bars or gels which are suitable for diabetics , or is it ok just to eat "normal" stuff in the hope that any spikes will be taken care of by the exercise.

I'm a triathlete and fell runner and practically live on gels and jelly babies! Complex carbs take too long to absorb as a 'top up'. It's the usual case of trying things out and testing to find what works for you

 

[PatsyB]

I love bananas but not had one for such a long time .... I do admire these people who go running I just wish I could do it now but am too old do not think my bones would allow it...... jelly babys are yummy I used to eat them by the packet now maybe 3 at the most if sugars go low

 

[GCShrimper]

Going out for about an hour later this afternoon, not my usual time but I have had to leave work early for a blood test.
Will take a couple of fig rolls with me but I shouldn't need them for that length of ride.
I think I will do a sugar level test before and after as well, that should show any impact the ride is having, particularly if I don't eat the fig rolls

 

[GCShrimper]

15 miles , Blood glucose 5.7 when I got home, nothing eaten from about 2 hours before or during, so I am just unfit and not depleting.
Will need to eat during the longer rides though, a couple of fig rolls will be the first option.

 

[seadragon]

Have you tried going ketogenic? Lots of info on www.dietdoctor.com website about the benefits of low carb high fat for endurance athletes. Personally I find it works for me as now my body is fuelled by fat I don't need to worry about carbs. yesterday for instance I ate (low carb) lunch about 1pm and then at 5pm went for a 6km run (including some pretty steep hills) followed by a 10k bike ride (also up some steep hills). Still did not feel hungry when I returned and no lack of energy at any time. If you run on fat you can't deplete. And it's better for diabetics to have fewer carbs so a win -win.