Sports drinks are a contentious issue for me.  Despite their assumed athletic relevance, they generally remind me more of consumerism and excess than they do of actual athletics.  I think of a specific Gatorade ad starring Kevin Garnett where he appears to sweat the color of his Gatorade.  I think about sports drinks’ bright colors and completely radical names that I always deliver in a certain way when I read them aloud.  Finally I think about sugar.  A 32-ounce bottle (pay attention to serving size when you read the label; the 32-ounce bottle in your hand is likely broken down into four servings) of a typical sports drink contains over 50 grams (13 teaspoons) of sugar and 200 calories.  Is this something I really need after a four-mile run on the trail by my house, even if it is a grueling uphill climb, switchback after switchback?

My contention with sports drinks isn’t that they don’t have a purpose, it’s that they’re generally overconsumed and overhyped.  I can’t help but think that sales figures are sports drink manufacturers’ biggest concern, but Kevin Garnett’s bellow seems to scream otherwise.  What’s the reasoning behind the typical sugar, water, and electrolyte composition of these drinks?  When, if at all, does it become important to rehydrate with something other than water?  What, beyond the commercial viability of selling sugar water, are the real benefits to professional athletes and amateurs alike?
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This information originally appeared in the article “Prepare Yourself: Ultra Racing” on BackcountryBeacon.com.

Athletes require special support.  Overlooking the impact of your diet means injuries can occur more easily and will take longer to heal.  Using food to address tissue and joint wear and tear, vitamin and mineral loss, and free radical formation only adds to performance.  Rather than focusing solely on volume, get more out of food by choosing nutrient-dense options like eggs, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, bone broths, and coconut oil.  These choices alongside superfoods like nutritional yeast, spirulina, and goji berries, help meet your body’s higher needs for vitamins (for energy and to combat inflammation) and antioxidants (to repair the damage strenuous exercise can cause).  Healthy fats such as fish and flax oil are indispensable for lubricating joints and minimizing inflammation.  Read the rest of this entry »

Stay energized with this nutritionist-approved energy gel. It really works to give you that extra boost in order to finish strong during a challenging workout or race. Because it contains complex carbohydrates, protein, and fat, it works better than the standard gels made of just carbohydrates or simple sugars.
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Origin Nutrition was recently interviewed by backcountry.com for an article on backpacker meals. After the writers and staff at backcountry tasted the dehydrated delectables, they came to us for a stance on the meals, nutrition-wise. Check out the article for their opinions on what tastes good, and ours on whether it’s worth carrying on your back.