The Best Sports Drink

[Gary]

I'm a skier that always tries to eat well and drink lots of water at the mountain. Although last year at the "Beav" I failed to drink my normal 16 ounces of water, cup of tea and glass of milk with breakfast the first day cause I was so excited about skiing with you all and then....my freakn' ankles cramped up. THAT NEVER happened before. Some water, 10 minutes later and all was good.

But, Ron and Lynn have got me thinking maybe I should consider a sports drink that provides things other than hydration. Maybe things like electrolites, green tea, carbs, protein.....etc.

If anyone has any thoughts on what the healthest, all natural, and most well rounded product out there is for skiing, it would be great to share your thoughts.

Thanks,
Gary

[Liam]

Honestly-I've used a lot of different stuff and I have two thoughts:

1. enhanced hydration (ala electrolyte/ protein/ carb mix) does make a big difference
2. They all work about the same.

I've used the Accelerade a lot lately-very heavy on the electrolytes and it has protein in it as well (great for long term efforts).  But-takes a little getting used to in the stomach-gave me cramps for a bit now it's all good.  I also Like the GU20-tastes pretty good, cheaper than the accelerade but doesbn't have protein in it (but is light enouh to make eating a gel or bar with protein a pleasant enough experience.

Try a couple with other sports during the Fall so first time out on the Hill skiing yoou'll have the one that works for you.

[Gary]

My wife, a voracious reader said in the New England Journal of Medicine...

Ta Da.....Pediolite... .(you know the stuff for kids with gastro problems) was recommended as a sports drink and better than Gatoraid...also with less sodium.

Hows about that!

G

[midwif]

Yes, have always stayed away from gatorade. Too concentrated with electrolytes.
Pedialyte has slightly weird taste.
I do think it comes down to personal tastes. If you can find the right combo of concentrates of glucose and electrolytes that is near physiologic and it's tasty, you'll drink it. If it tastes bad, it'll just sit in your camelback, freezing.
Of course, some dilutes juice and a baggie of GORP is probably just fine too.

[Gary]

Lynn, you we're reading my mind.

I don't recall the taste of Pedialyte, but thought I could add a cup of apple juice to a quart and maybe a cup of green tea and bingo....got my own super-fied sports drink.

Might give it a shot this season. Of course if it makes me puke....

Wait....I think ROn should try it first!

G

[midwif]

Ron, yes the perfect guinea pig. Now I am so not punning.
We'll experiment on him each morning at SB. If he keeps it down, we can all try it, if it comes back up, then we move on to the next recipe.
THanks for volunteering Ron!

[Gary]

Brilliant...Ron who would normally be all over this is on a plan returning from a business presentation in Florida.

But I think he may be game for this. Heck if we come up with the perfect formula, we can let Ron name it.

G

[midwif]

This'll teach Ron to leave the forum unattended.  You get in trouble when you're not around. Trouble you didn't even know was possible!

[Ron]

Liam, thanks for your intelligent comments and suggestins and welcome our pre-snow insanity.

I am in Orlando airport reading this and trying not to laugh out loud, drawing attention from the TSA folks. Gary, you crack me up, you want to create your own drink, OK, sir mixalot, mix away, why not use a product like accelerade which has a fraction of the sugar of gatorade and a much better overall balance plus a small amount of protien? how much fructose do ya think apple jiuce has? (A LOT)  Accelerade works out to about .50 per serving btw. Pedialyte? do you drink through a sippy cup? Probably would work well for 5 yo's but not nearly enough stuff in it for adults, it's also much more expensive.  about $7.00 PER litre.....

Guinnea pig, ok, that sounds like a good job for me! 

[Gary]

Ron, do they make freeze proof sippy cups?

Ok...I'm cool with trying some accelerate get your molecules in proper order and free your free radicals all why hydrating.

I can take a lot of criticism but knocking down my apple juice...not nice.

Still too much sugar can be a downer on the mountain so I leave it to those wiser than me.

Keep in mind the Pediolyte is being used by athletes but if it's very costly comparatively, then bring on the accelerate and endure me stuff.

No...I didn't say Ensure....

The search continues.

G

[Ron]

the pedialyte is obviously better than I thought it was. I still am amazed that people still think Gatorade is a sports drink. Not much better that Hawaiin punch.......

[Perry]

I always just make Gatorade 1/3 to 1/2 strength.  Of course that is partially because I'm cheap and lazy.  Pedialyte is the standard well balanced drink but as said, expensive for what you get.

If you like Green tea, you could add honey or brown sugar to get to about 50-70 cal per 12oz.  That is not too much if you are actively skiing and the sugar does help transport the water into you body.  You can add a three finger pinch of salt per 16 oz H2O if you want the sodium (which is not a bad idea if you cramp).  The best way to do this is to add the salt to the water first.  Taste it and if it isn't saltier than your tears, it's ok.  Then add tea, sweetener, cinnamon etc

[Gary]

Thanks Perry  and I do like green tea...nice combo.

I purchased some FRS energy and antioxidant "orange" chews we will be trying out this year for on the mountain energy.

Always looking for ways to stay healthy and energized while skiing.

Thanks,
Gary