GU Energy Original Sports Nutrition Energy Gel (Tri-Berry, 8-Count)

super

I use Gu gels for marathon training and racing. They are convenient to carry and easy on the stomach. The taste is consistent and having different flavour options and caffeinated and non-caffeinated. I also like that some gels have more sodium for warmer races and training. For the price and quality I think Gu can’t be beat, especially compared to other options like Maurten. I’ve tried a ton of different flavours and Gu’s have helped me train for all race distances.

A big fan of GU gels for long distance running

Good, but buying only when there is a discount.

I have type 1 diabetes, and I discovered these when I took up jogging. They're great for jogging, but the main reason I get them is for blood sugar lows--lows during jogging and lows in general. They're 25 grams of fast-acting carbs in liquid form that tastes reasonably good and has some nutritional value, and they fit easily into a pocket or purse: perfect for blood sugar lows. I can consume them in seconds, and they bring my blood sugar up fast. I don't like to wait for a pack of crackers to bring my blood sugar up in 15 minutes after it already takes a few minutes to eat them anyway. It's not cool to feel sick for 20 minutes when that can be shortened to 2-3 minutes or less. I used to carry a grape soda around in my purse (seriously) in case I had a blood sugar low while I was out. Grape soda is heavy and bulky, and I would worry about it busting open by some accident and getting all over me and everything in my purse. (Fortunately that never happened.) GU fits easily into my purse without taking up a ton of space or adding a lot of weight. Another drawback to soda is once it's gone, it's gone. GU gel is small enough and light enough that I can fit more in my purse, so if I use one, I still have one or two for back up. I know there are glucose tablets and gels and drinks designed for diabetics, but most taste gross or are too hard to eat when you're in a hurry (those chalky tablets!) or aren't enough carbs for a serious low or are too slow. Grape soda is very effective and fast for dealing with lows, but GU is, too, and GU is a better option because it's smaller (see above paragraph) and has some nutritional value. GU also gives me confidence to go jogging for miles and not worry about blood sugar lows. I put them in my fuel belt along with my blood sugar meter, test strips, and lancet. Any time I feel low, I check my blood sugar, and when it's low I eat a GU (or two if it's really low and I don't start to feel better quickly) and it takes care of it. I used to be way too scared about having lows for me to even think about jogging very far from the house, but I don't mind running 2-3 miles away from the house now that I have GU and my fuel belt. I like the tri-berry flavor better than the others, but there are really only a few flavors I've tried that I think are gross. GU has changed my life. lol. It really has. I don't have to worry about blood sugar lows when I'm just out and about on ordinary errands or when I'm jogging several miles and trying to go faster and farther than before. It's great.