9606

The only good thing about Gatorade is that it is so easy to drink. It just flows down my throat like silk. It is a great way to get fluid.
But, it is made from junk and my intestines react unpleasantly to it.
What is an alternative to Gatorade for ease of swallowing? I do not need electrolytes for I get them in Salt Sticks or Endurolytes. I am simply looking for something that is super easy to get down.
Many thanks -

texbiker

Plain water works for me.

9606

That's great Tex that water does the trick for you. You are fortunate.
I am looking for a water enhancer or substitute that makes my fluid intake as easy to swallow as Gatorade.

achoo

Yeah, right.

Try drinking nothing but the Gatorade supplied in an August century in 98F heat. After about 50-60 miles you'll realize Gatorade tastes like ass.

Strike that - ass tastes better than Gatorade.

Next time you'll bring your own Heed or Cytomax or similar mix.

Don't need electrolytes?

Water.

/thread

achoo

What on God's good Earth makes WATER tough to swallow?

Machka 

I drink water.

I find gatorade and most of the other sports drinks too sticky and cloying. Even when I've diluted them.

HEED isn't too bad, but I haven't used it in 2 or 3 years.

If I feel I need calories or electrolytes, I'll use a bit of maltodextrin and "half salt" or "light salt" in my water.

Otherwise, just plain water slides down very nicely and quenches my thirst well.

revchuck 

I stand in awe, sir, of the depth and breadth of your experience.

OP - I've pretty much given up on sports drinks unless racing. I'm currently using Camelbak Elixir tablets - they're electrolyte tablets dissolved in water, very similar to Nuun. They add a mild flavor to the water along with electrolytes. I find them more convenient than tablets you have to dig out of your jersey pockets while riding.

ETA: When I don't need electrolytes - for instance, doing a recovery ride or riding when it's too cold to sweat - I do as does the lovely Machka, and stick with plain water.

9606

So, I guess what you are all saying is that you know of no additive to add to water to make it as slippery (read: as easy to swallow) as Gatorade.
I may ask the pharmacist about adding a few drops of glycerol or some such.

DBA

for a 2 hour or less ride, water works just fine.
Going out for the day? you could drink water and eat some of those little electrolyte enhanced jelly bean thingies.
Jelly Belly Sport Beans at REI.com

of course real food would be an even better idea. Bananas are a good source of carbs and electrolytes. And they fit right in the back pocket of a jersey. It's like they were made for cyclists.

Mvcrash

If it is just flavor....try Crystal Light or plain old Kool-Aide.

linnefaulk

I hear good things about Skratch Labs but I still use water and sometimes green tea.

JamesRL

I used to use Apple Juice/water in a 50/50 mix for longer rides. Doesn't have the electrolytes but tastes better than gatorade to me.

achoo

High fructose corn syrup.

A whole ****ton.

Anthony.L

This.

I add Hammer Fizz electrolytes tablets to my water and it goes down perfectly fine.

Jas556

Maybe you have a sucrose and fructose intolerance? Apparently that's a common thing people complain about with gatorade, for those that suffer from it.

achoo

He thinks Gatorade is "slippery" and "easy to swallow".

He's not intolerant of sucrose nor fructose - he's ADDICTED to them and in desperate need of weaning.

etw

I had a Skratch Labs sample packet and found that it was better than the sports drinks I have had. I have yet to buy some and give it a longer term test.

look566 rider

This or orange juice mixed the same way. I use ice to mix down. Good carbs, vitamin C and lots of potassium.

Anthony.L

this.

Flordia ride

Mio water enhancer. Comes in different flavors. Add a little or a lot. I add just a little.

9606

Some of you have been out in the sun too long.
After 19 replies one is worthwhile. Thanks Florida, I'll investigate Mio. It's always fun to spend money on a new ergogenic.

hobkirk

Years ago the ONLY thing I drank regularly was Diet Coke. Bad! So I switched to tap water, but I found adding some lemon made it much better. Squeezing lemons is inconvenient and expensive. I tried a product called "Real Lemon" and found it worked great. (The Stop & Shop version was so bad I threw it out.)

That said, when I ride I drink plain water. Although if I am going out for more than two hours I have started adding about 30-40% OJ . It seems to help.

Looigi

Water + sugar + sodium. 100 cal of fruit juice plus water to make 24 oz + 1/8 level tsp of table salt.

100 cal of table sugar works as well but doesn't taste as good, but you could add lemon juice etc. to taste.

Fructose warning: Many fruits have a greater proportion of fructose than HFCS, if that's a concern to you.

achoo

"Slippery". Gatorade.

pdlamb

I've heard the phosphoric acid in sodas can damage the liver if a person drinks too much soda. I wonder if one of the additives in Gatorade does something similar to the brain? Maybe the citric acid?

Or maybe there's sand in his water, and it needs to be filtered out? Sandy water wouldn't be so slippery.