Life In The Saddle

I first tasted and reviewed Veloforte bars here on Life In The Saddle, back in April 2018  – they were an instant hit. After meeting members of the ever-growing Veloforte team this summer, I was eager to try out their new extended range of bars, drinks, gels and energy chews. Veloforte Natural Energy and Protein Bars  The Veloforte energy bars are where it all started. Based on Panforte – the Italian traditional Christmas dessert – these bars are a similar chewy sweet treat, packed full of fruit, nut and spices. Christmas cake has always been one of my favourite ride energy snacks, and these wholesome handmade bars bring a similar refreshing taste and energy boost to your everyday ride. The complete range is comprised of seven bars: all branded as 'energy bars', but with the Mocha and Forza versions also delivering an impressive 10-12 grams of protein (so they might also be classified as protein recovery bars). The flavours range from the tangy Classico with its apricots and...

We all know the importance of eating right. What you eat affects your health, your mood, and your cycling performance. You Are What You Eat —  so, your shopping list could be likened to your body's fuel receipt. Are you fuelling right for endurance sport and cycling adventures? In this post, I take a look at items that often feature on my own shopping list. The selection is strongly influenced by insights that I have gained from nutritional experts, as well as ingredients used in recipes from books such as Hannah Grant's ' The Grand Tour Cookbook '. I have split the list out into different nutritional categories — to make sure all bases are covered, and hopefully give a range of options for different dietary preferences. Protein Eggs  — egg yolks are a source of choline, important to reduce muscle fatigue Wild salmon  — fish is a great source of omega 3 fatty acids Frozen plaice fillets  — white fish is a source of low-fat protein Smoked...

Science in Sport has built a name for itself as one of the leading sports nutrition brands in the UK. In this post, I look at two of the recently updated products: the SIS Rego Rapid Protein Shake and the SIS Protein20 Protein Bar. Personally, I am tending away from processed sports nutrition products, but sometimes the convenience and portability of dedicated sports food is helpful; this is particularly relevant for recovery products – where getting in the right nutrients (protein and carbohydrate) in good time post-activity is essential to kick-starting the recovery process. The Science in Sport products are some of the best that I have tried for recovery – in terms of quality, flavour and cost. These new Protein20 and REGO products are also vegan friendly and low in sugar, making them suitable for many differing diets. SIS Rego Rapid Protein Drink Powder The SIS Rego Rapid Protein Powder helps refuel, repair, rebuild and rehydrate after exertion. Each (50g) serving contains 1...

" They are what they eat " says Hannah Grant—at the time Head Chef for Team Tinkoff-Saxo – one of the most successful professional cycling teams on the UCI World Tour circuit. It is a motto that I subscribe to very strongly. Food is an integral part of cycling. Food is your fuel, and your conditioning agent, as well as your recovery. Energy bars and gels can do so much, when you are on the bike; but it is what you eat the rest of the time that really makes a difference. Cycling teams realised the importance of nutrition some time back, and that is why a number of the top teams now have Michelin level chefs working for them; their role is to ensure that the nutritional intake of the riders is absolutely optimal for their performance. Hannah Grant is one of those top chefs, and just as the mechanics at Team Tinkoff-Saxo played an integral role in preparing the bikes for the riders each morning and evening, Hannah has a fundamental role in ensuring that the riders are co...

100 percent organic, natural and vegan. The range of energy bars, energy gels and hydration drink mixes from Rawvelo offer a natural fuelling solution—to keep you energised as you ride, and guilt-free about your impact on your body and the planet.  Plant-powered sports nutrition is the way forward, in my opinion. It is kinder on your body and kinder on the planet. Organic energy products are still hard to come by though, so I was interested to try the bars, gels, and hydration drink mixes from Rawvelo. Rawvelo Energy Bars Review The Rawvelo Energy Bars are organic and vegan; designed to offer a sustaining source of low-GI energy to keep you reliably fuelled as you ride longer distances.  The bars are made from wholefood ingredients such as fruit, nuts and oats; with a nutritional profile that is packed full of natural vitamins and minerals. Naturally occurring protein also helps to aid recovery and reduce muscle damage on long endurance rides, while the absence of refined...

The collection of energy bars, gels, protein bars and drinks from the Italian brand NamedSport offers a good value and great tasting variety of products; proven and used in several World Tour series races. I have been sampling the NamedSport Sport Gel, Isotonic Power Gel, 4Fuel Protector Energy Drink, Energy Bar and Rocky Protein Bar. I must admit that I am not an avid user of energy gels or energy drink; I tend to only use them when I am struggling or have low glycogen levels on long endurance rides; that makes it quite difficult for me to quantify or evaluate NamedSport's products in this area—as I have little to compare them against. Energy bars and protein bars, however, are more my staple food source on endurance bike rides. The NamedSport Energy Bar and Rocky Protein Bar have both proven to be tasty and satisfying products; both bars are aspartame and acesulfame free, and I can pronounce and recognise most of the ingredients on the packaging (always a good sign). Rathe...

The range of nutritional supplements in the PhD LIFE product portfolio supplies nutrients and vitamins to help improve your daily life; from waking up with energy to getting restful sleep. I have been testing out a selection and thought it would be interesting to fill you in on the science and function behind these lifestyle nutritional products from the well-reputed brand. DIGEST – To Support a Healthy Gut and Digestion Your digestive system plays a key role in your athletic performance, fat loss, energy levels, and even your mental health. We know more about the role of gut health than ever before, and experts now urge us to consider the gut microbiome as a "virtual organ" in the body Gut health goes beyond how well you digest your food and the level of nutrients you can absorb from your diet. A healthy gut environment will impact your mental health and mood, cognitive abilities, strength, ability to lose weight, and long-term risk of disease and illness. The PhD LIFE range...

I have been testing out the new range of BETA Fuel energy products from UK brand Science in Sport. They are tasty, easy to take onboard, and a notable scientific development over their predecessors and many other energy products on the market. Here's the low-down… BETA Fuel Drink First launched in 2018, the original Science in Sport Beta Fuel drink was an isotonic product using both maltodextrin and fructose at a ratio of 2:1 to optimise carbohydrate delivery and utilisation during exercise, while minimising gastrointestinal issues. The new Beta Fuel range has a change in the ratio of maltodextrin to fructose to 1:0.8. In comparison to the (still highly scientifically impressive) 2:1 ratio, the 1:0.8 ratio has been proven to: Enhance total exogenous carbohydrate oxidation by 17% Enhance mean power output during 10 maximal sprint efforts by 3% Increase the percentage of ingested carbohydrate oxidised from 62% (2:1 ratio) to 74% (1:0.8 ratio) Reduce symptoms of stomach fullness and n...

Last month, in a constant quest to find new and interesting energy bars, I came across the Vite Naturals brand. Their Vite Brain Bar is a plant-based energy snack, enriched with Omega-3 and Nootropics—to provide a mental and health boost when you are pushing hard, whether on the bike or in everyday life. While I favour homemade snacks over pre-packaged ones, sometimes packaged bars are a necessity as a quick and convenient jersey pocket snack. When buying pre-packaged bars, I always start by looking at the ingredients list.  For the Dark Choc and Nut Flavour Vite Bar the ingredients list reads: Dates, Cashews, Chocolate with Sweetener, Sunflower Seeds, Pea Protein, Cocoa Powder, Cacao Nibs, Cocoa Butter, Rapeseed Oil, Milled Flaxseed Powder, Emulsifier, Natural Flavouring, Sea Salt. Choline, Caffeine Anhydrous, L-Theanine, Sweetener (Stevia), Rhodiola Rosea Root, Lion's Mane Mushroom, Bacopa Monnieri, Vitamin B5 (Calcium Pantothenate).  That is quite a list, and some of the li...

To get the most from your long summer rides, you need to keep fuelling your body with tasty and wholesome ride snacks; the range of vegan snack bars and bites from UK-based brand Creative Nature are a great option that I have been trying out on some recent summer endurance rides. Creative Nature Raw Fruit Oaties are cold-pressed fruit flapjack bars; packed full of dried fruit, oats, and berries. They are raw, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free—making them suitable for all diet types. They taste great, are free from artificial sweeteners and refined sugar, and are also rich in Vitamin C—counting as one of your five-a-day. I have tried all six varieties, but I think the Carrot Cake is my firm favourite. Creative Nature Gnawbles are another super ride snack or everyday high-protein snack. They are crispy nibbles of pea protein coated in chocolate, in a variety of tasty flavours. The Dark Orange Chocolate flavour is particularly delicious. They are low in sugar, so the perfect sn...

I have long been an advocate of nut butters for endurance fuel. Fuelling with fat and protein offers an energy source that is much more sustaining and lends itself to a more stable blood sugar profile than the peaks and troughs encountered with simple sugars. These two new nut butters from UK brand Outdoor Provisions are especially tasty blends, and they come in compact bio-degradable sachets—making them perfect for outdoor adventures and tours. Outdoor Provisions have evolved the classic jar of peanut butter that you would often find stuffed into my handlebar bag on long distance bike tours . The new 'Coffee, Almond and Cashew' and 'Almond, Date and Sea Salt' sachets are incredibly versatile and tasty energy snacks. Squeeze them straight into your mouth, add them as a porridge topper, pour them over an energy bar, or make an on-the-go banana and nut butter (BnB) sandwich... the possibilities are endless. However you eat them, you get the same smooth taste and natural e...

I. Love. Oats. They are quite simply the best carbohydrate in the world. I can count on one hand the number of days in a year that have not started with a bowl of porridge or overnight oats; for me, they are the only fuel to set you up for an active day of adventures. Find out more about the unique dietary benefits of oats in this earlier blog post: ' Fuelled by Oats – The Natural Superfood '. Oomf Foods have taken the ancient oat and created little pots of protein-packed porridge goodness. How? They have mixed oats with skimmed milk powder, whey protein concentrate, and other simple ingredients such as blueberries, ginger, cocoa, apple pieces, banana, and of course the classic golden syrup. Each pot packs an impressive 20 grams of protein, and they are free from artificial colours, sweeteners, or preservatives. They also taste fantastic. Additionally, the UK brand produces a special Probiotic Protein Porridge. This gut-loving porridge has a specially formulated prob...

If tasked to select one true super-fuel, I would undoubtedly pick the humble oat. The ancient wholegrain has fuelled more rides and more adventures than I can possibly count. Whether in the form of porridge, muesli, flapjack, or oatcakes; oats really are the ultimate endurance fuel. In Praise of Porridge When I think back to past challenges, there is one common factor... porridge. It was porridge I ate at 4am when I started the 'St Boniface Down Everesting' . Porridge was my fuel of choice at midnight, in the pouring rain, midway through the 300-mile Trafalgar Way ride . Even in the south of France, on the final day of the #7Countries7Passes , it was porridge that kick-started the epic ride. Porridge is the without question the king of breakfasts. Wholegrain oats are the key to porridge's 'super-fuel' status. Oats are high in soluble fibre, which helps fill you up and release energy slowly. They are also rich in vitamins and minerals, and they are a sourc...

Flapjacks are a staple of the cyclist diet. The fact that my High Energy Flapjack Recipe is one of the most viewed blog posts every month confirms that. How can you create variations of the oat based favourite though—to add greater variety and interest? This recipe is for a different kind of oat bar—held together with banana, eggs, and coconut oil—rather than the traditional flapjack honey/syrup and butter. I am not going to claim that it is healthier or better, but it is a great alternative. The less crumbly nature of the bars also means they are ideal for jersey pockets. Ingredients 2 medium bananas 1 large egg 1 cup rolled oats ½ cup wholemeal flour ¼ cup coconut oil ¼ cup dark brown sugar 1 tbsp peanut butter 1 tsp vanilla essence ½ tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt 1 cup of your flavouring of choice: choc chips, chopped dates, raisins, etc. Method Preheat the oven to 180 Celsius Grease a 6-inch square baking tin with butter or coconut oil Mash the banana...

I am always on the lookout for new and interesting cereal bars—that can work as good #RideFuel energy bars for long bike rides and adventures. The new Breakfast Bars from KIND looked to be a super choice when I saw them arrive on the shelves of my local shops—moist, nutritious, and offering some tantalising flavours. I picked a few up to stash in my jersey pocket… Ravenous, on a 200-kilometre gravel ride this week, I pulled out one of each of the three flavours of the KIND Breakfast Bars over the course of the ride (in addition to a local bakery stop). It served as a great taste-panel test of the #RideFuel . The bars are made with five wholegrains: oats, millet, buckwheat, amaranth, and quinoa. Soft-baked, they are moist and flavoursome; as well as packed full of slow release carbohydrates, protein, and fibre. There are three flavours to choose from: KIND Breakfast Peanut Butter, KIND Breakfast Blueberry Almond, and KIND Breakfast Honey Oat. The line-up has a distinct resemblan...

A year or so ago, I reviewed the Skratch Labs Exercise Hydration Mix here on Life In The Saddle. I was impressed by its subtle flavour, natural ingredients, and how effective it was at warding off cramps. In the last month, I have been testing out recipes from their 'solid fuel' solution: the recipes in the Skratch Labs Feed Zone Portables Cookbook. The Feed Zone Portables Cookbook is a collection of recipes for snacks, breakfasts, lunches, and light meals, which you could take with you on any of your outdoor adventures. From rice cakes to panini rolls, and cookies to granola—this is a collection designed for easy transportation and easy consumption. The book is most definitely written for the American reader—with quite a few Americanisms like "grit" and "put it out for 10"; as well as using a lot of ingredients that are far cheaper in the States than they are this side of the Atlantic (such as maple syrup and blueberries). Yet, being selective about ...

The range of sports nutrition products from Xendurance holds some impressive claims. Their XENDURANCE lactic buffer claims 26% reduction in fatigue, 6x reduced muscle damage, and 39% reduction in oxidative stress; while their Hydro-X product boasts impressive anti-cramp properties. I have been testing them out over the last few months… XENDURANCE Lactic Buffer Tablets In clinical studies, XENDURANCE helped participants reduced exercise induced lactic acid build-up, reduce muscle soreness, increase their aerobic threshold, and help them to a faster recovery. The product's science rests on three pillar ingredients: papain, catechins, and electrolytes. Papain is a protease enzyme derived from papaya, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory to help repair and rebuild muscle tissue. Catechins are one of the most powerful anti-oxidants; helping to fight oxidative stress during exercise. Electrolytes are there to improve hydration and assist in returning the body to its natural PH bala...

Organic energy food that tastes heavenly. The range of bars, waffles and energy chews from American brand Honey Stinger are so scrumptious, you might end up eating them all as snacks... I have always been a fan of organic products; not because of the status that they hold, but simply because I believe eating natural whole-foods in their purist state is the best thing for taste, your body, and the environment. Honey Stinger pride themselves on using organic produce wherever possible, and have produced some fantastic tasting energy food as a result. Some will look at stroop wafels and peanut butter cereal bars and question if this is real 'energy food'. Of course it is. It is just that it hasn't been processed, refined, homogenised or treated like a lot of the product on the market. Instead, Honey Stinger use classic recipes like the stroop wafel, and recognise that their composition of carbohydrates, protein, and fats are actually optimal for fuelling your body, and al...

I am not a vegan, and I don't really agree with those taking it on as a 'challenge' or 'diet'. The exception, is if it means individuals consume more whole-foods and less processed products. Tom Oliver Nutrition is all about this approach, and provide a nice range of vegan protein bars. The protein in these bars comes from soy protein, which is a good alternative for those that can't consume whey protein, and don't like the taste of casein or hemp. Slightly off-putting when initially looking at these bars, is that the most prominent ingredient is Maltitol - an alcohol sugar. Some research reveals that this is a safe and natural sweetener though, and a substitute for sugar in a lot of natural products. Further ingredients are Soy protein, organic cacao, natural oils, and fruit peel. All pretty natural. The Tom Oliver Vegan Protein Bars taste good, if a little dry in texture. My favourite was the Chocolate Caramel version, which has nibbed peanut...

Project E2 Nutrition is a new player in the sports nutrition market, but one that has set itself apart from the masses through a unique focus on endurance sports nutrition. I have been testing their products over the last few months, with some positive results and feedback. About the Brand Project E2 Nutrition is a fresh off-shoot of globally renowned brand CNP Nutrition. Using the knowledge and experience gained from years of producing industry-leading sports nutrition, CNP have created Project E2 Nutrition with a specific focus of fuel and recovery for endurance athletes. The Range The Project E2 collection is composed of a comprehensive range of pre, during, and post exercise products: PRE Workout Drink Powder HYDRO Drink Powder ENERGY Drink Powder RECOVER Drink Powder ENERGY GEL ENERGY GEL+ HYDRO GEL HYDRO GEL+ ENERGY BAR The Drinks The drinks range from Project E2 is designed to give endurance athletes a complete pre, during, and post workout/race hydratio...