Energy Drinks/Diabetes

RB1260

Up until now I have been using SIS PSP mixed with GO but if I'm honest I've never really liked the taste and find it a little heavy on the stomach.

The electrolyte element is important to me as I am a type 1 diabetic and have a tendency to suffer from cramps as a result.

I'd be interest to hear what other people use, especially those who are diabetic.

Thanks and regards, Richard.

redvee

I don't tend to bother with energy drinks with shortish rides, sub 10 miles, just orange squash. If the rides are longer then I've got some SIS that I add to the squash but not in the recommended quantity, just a spoonful and take solids

Blonde

Adding less than the recommended quantity of a carbohydrate and electrolyte mixture will mean you won't be getting much of a concentration of electrolytes either though, even if you are eating other foods and not relying on the carb content of the drink. Keeping tabs on the amount of carbohydrate you consume is key if you're diabetic, so I would have thought that using the recommended amounts could be quite useful if you do require a carb drink on a ride. You wouldn't rely on it for the whole ride of course - you'd also have bottles of plain water as well. I personally don't use carb drinks at all though, as I just don't get on with them and prefer to eat solid foods instead.

If you don't require a carb drink, but do want to add some electrolytes to your water, try Nuun or Zym tablets. These contain no sugar, no carbs and no calories. They're just electrolytes. I haven't tried Zym but I find Nuun pleasant to taste - very light and not very sweet.

plodderpaul

Hi
I am a type 1 diabetic too and have recently started using Hi 5 energy source drink mix.
I think the taste is very good (i have tried most of the flavours) and the mix of fast and slow acting carbs seems to suit me well. Check out the details are on their web site.
I would recommend it.