sports drinks.... worth the money?
@macdingolinger (10385)
United States
August 1, 2009 2:03pm CST
Okay, I have been running for a few months now. I have also done a couple of 5Ks so far. I am up to running 45 minutes to an hour 3 or 4 times a week.I have read how important refeuling is after a run.They say a lot about sports drinks as far as getting the sodium and potassium replenished after the run. But there is so much sugar and so little potassium and sodium in the sports drinks. There is more of both in a little low sodium V-8! But that's not enough to fill back up on! and it's pretty acidic as is orange juice. I just can't seem to justify on my limited budget buying so many sports drinks if its not putting more back into my system. Any ideas on what is a good replenisher? If the sports drinks are the best I can go for that... but there's so much sugar! I also do not use fake sugars... okay so I am a health freak! I need some suggestions on how to replenish after the run!!!
2 people like this
4 responses
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
2 Aug 09
I usually eat a banana for potassium a few hours before a run. And as far as salt, I probably eat too much salt as it is so I don't worry about that as much.
Occasionally I will substitute a sports drink for my water, but that is usually only when I forget to bring water and since I hate buying water I will go purchase a sports drink. If I don't finish it, I will add water to it next time and drink a 50/50 mix. Most runners I've talked to (and also cyclists) go with this 50/50 mix if they do drink sports drinks. It cuts back on your sugar intake. I don't purposely ever use fake sugars either. But I have been called a health freak before too.
1 person likes this
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
7 Aug 09
I just did the 50/50 today with Gatorade instead of Powerade, and wow... it seemed really sugary. I kept some of it since I didn't run very much tonight, and Saturday morning I'll just mix in a bit more water.
I wonder why they add so much sugar.
1 person likes this
@macdingolinger (10385)
• United States
3 Aug 09
lol!! Health freaks unite
I think the 50/50 might work. It's still an awful lot of sugar though!! I may try that and see if it works for me!! Thanks for your input!
I think the 50/50 might work. It's still an awful lot of sugar though!! I may try that and see if it works for me!! Thanks for your input!
@Idlewild (6090)
• United States
1 Aug 09
I don't buy sports drinks; as long as you haven't gone on a really long run, the food and drink you normally eat will replenish your nutrients.
I've heard that low-fat chocolate milk is a good after-run drink. I'll have that sometimes, or make a smoothie out of some yogurt, frozen fruit, skim milk, and part of a banana.
1 person likes this
@macdingolinger (10385)
• United States
2 Aug 09
I sometimes have a soy silk (chocolate) after a run ... along with a banana!! Sometimes OJ too...
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
2 Aug 09
Oh I love that chocolate Silk! I'm not sure if that counts as being a protein shake, but the running group people are always telling me if I don't mind gaining a bit more weight from muscle, it is good to drink protein shakes immediately after a good run. I just really haven't wanted to buy any of those yet.
1 person likes this
@kevchua (1004)
• Malaysia
7 Aug 09
Drinking sports drinks is not entirely good because they're fizzy and makes you feel more thirsty. When I play tennis, I'd have a bottle of water - just plain ol' water to replenish lost fluid. Bananas are good energy food, so take it before you run, not while running :) so... I think water is the best to drink or maybe some fruit juice that contains potassium (banana juice???).
Happy running!
1 person likes this
@macdingolinger (10385)
• United States
7 Aug 09
lol! Banana juice... that just sounds nasty! I do eat a banana after I run and if I have not pushed myself too hard, I will drink orange juice which has lots of potassium! I usually drink water though most of the time!
