For those that have tried both, is Skratch worth more than double the price of the economy sized Gatorade mix I can buy at Walmart for $8.00 for fueling during long rides?
The nutrition facts appear to be nearly identical other than the fact that Skratch has over twice the amount of sodium in it. Other than that - the difference between calories, carbs/sugar, etc. are virtually negligible.
Is the added sodium a valid enough reason to double my dollars for hydration? I’ve tired a bunch of various hydration mixes (store bought and custom blend) and the only two I like are Skratch and Gatorade.
For those that have tried both, is Skratch worth more than double the price of the economy sized Gatorade mix I can buy at Walmart for $8.00 for fueling during long rides?
No knock against Skratch, but I have been using Gatorade forever as my sports beverage. In expensive, readily available, in powder form or premixed bottles. I typically start out most longer rides with two full bottles of Gatorade, made from powder. for rides of 2 to 2 1/2 hours that’s all I will typically need. For longer rides I’ll usually bring along some bars - whatever is on sale, eat one of two of them and stop for more Gatorade or water as needed.
Simple. Easy.
This has been my “Sports Nutrition Strategy” for 30 years!
Read any thread started by DrAlexHarrison and watch the videos on his YouTube channel Saturday Morning. You learn everything that you’ll need to know about endurance fueling.
Good point. Maybe it is the amount of fructose that causes people GI issues - all fructose versus 50%. Or maybe the negative fructose issues are simply neutralized by the presence of glucose in the compound.
If I have it straight, Gatorade is sucrose (glucose+fructose) first ingredient and dextrose (glucose) second ingredient. Skratch is the same, cane sugar (sucrose) first and dextrose second. So if one works for you, the other could as well. (Although it’s unclear if the ratio is the same. I wish companies gave the actual percentages of each.)
I find Gatorade doesn’t sit well in my gut, whereas something like Tailwind does interestingly (Tailwind’s ingredient order is switched: dextrose first, sucrose second). Assuming the issue is the higher amt of fructose in the Gatorade.
Yes. Gatorade is regular table sugar and dextrose. No added fructose.
What more likely to cause stomach upset is the citric acid.
Corn syrup is mostly glucose, unless its high fructose corn syrup which is either 42% or 55% fructose…either is close to the 1:1 ratio of sucrose. Though the 42% would be closer to ideal (slightly more glucose than fructose) for absorbtion and exercise metabolism.
Or you can ditch both and just use sugar and sodium (either table salt or sodium citrate—use this if you have any stomach issues) amd add some flavors. Add some dextrose if you feel like being fancy… But, it’s likely not worth the trouble 95% of the time.
Yes. Gatorade is regular table sugar and dextrose. No added fructose.
What more likely to cause stomach upset is the citric acid.
Corn syrup is mostly glucose, unless it’s high fructose corn syrup which is either 42% or 55% fructose…either is close to the 1:1 ratio of sucrose. Though the 42% would be closer to ideal (slightly more glucose than fructose) for absorbtion and exercise metabolism.Yeah, I was using “corn syrup†euphemistically to indicate high fructose corn syrup - the nasty stuff. As an aside, the UK version of Powerade uses Glucose instead.
I hate government regulation stuff, but it would thrill me if the FDA banned high fructose corn syrup in the US. Seems like it is rejected in many other countries already.
Hmmm… The science on the “evils” of hfcs is questionable as compared to sucrose. In general the issue is the total sugars in one’s diet not hfcs vs sucrose. Hfcs just happens to be easier and cheaper to manufacture… Thus easier for use on a global scale.
Plain glucose would leave absorbtion and metabolism benefits on the table… As fructose has a separate pathways from glucose. Somewhere between 1:1 and 2:1 (glucose:fructose) being optimal.
if you feel like gatorade and powerade makes you bloated, fructose may not sit well with you.
If apples and watermelon cause you tummy issues while running, same thing - fructose malabsorption might be the issue. some people don’t digest it well → end up running to the porta poty is no fun while running
+1 for Alex’s suggestions, link below. I buy the large Gatorade powder at Walmart and then sodium citrate on Amazon. For my long rides I’ve been using a scoop of gatorade for flavor then dump in sugar and sodium citrate. So much cheaper and works like a charm.
Help me calculate an at home “maurten” drink (im bad at math): Triathlon Forum: Slowtwitch Forums
How much table sugar and sodium citrate for 20z bottle? I just got some sodium citrate from amazon and was going to try and make my own for my long ride this weekend. I have somewhat went through dr. alex thread but can’t seem to find the quantities of sugar and sodium per bottle.