[RunLongVT]

Hi Folks. I used a meal replacement drink for the first time last week during the Snowshoe Marathon (6.5 hours) and they worked great. I find that I'm really sensitive to my blood sugar crashing, and have a hard time choking down enough calories to get me through race sections. I had had a couple of very rough race finishes last season, but never crashed or even felt depleted during last week's race. I was taking 700 calories per 6.55-mile very hilly lap, plus the occasional cookie.<br><br>
Anyone have a favorite brand? I know Sherpa likes Boost. Mine were a generic version of Ensure+, with 350 calories per 6 oz container, costing $6.99 for 6.

 

[divaleh]

I've never used them DURING a race, but I like to use the Costco (Kirkland) brand Slim-Fast type drink for recovery. Incredibly cheap, and relatively tasty...

 

[Toxic Runner]

I've used both Boost and Ensure during races, usually as a way to 'top off' my calorie intake. I like them, although an entire can in one or two chugs usually sloshes around more than I'd prefer. I also use them as recovery drinks, since they are at least tolerable at ambient temp so I can leave them in the car, as opposed to milk, which I prefer.

 

[merigayle]

i've used Ensure in the past, in the past almost year, i just use soy milk. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> I buy it in little juice boxes. I shipped two cases out to the Tetons for the 100 <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br><img alt="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VwcMy7RQL._SS90_.jpg" style="border:0px solid;">

 

[4boysmom]

Not an ultra, but thought I'd chime in. I'll do a slim-fast (or store brand) or a Ensure (store brand) on my way to the gym. I'll swim for an hour, sipping on Gatorade. Then, I run for up to an hour, and finish the Gatorade in the locker room. I head home and have a second breakfast. I used to crash and burn during the run, but the pre-swim fueling works wonders!

 

[pithydoug]

<br>
I'm a Vanilla Slimfast fan but they need to be cold so this assumes a crew or tight looped course. I get some strange looks at races from other crews. I just tell them I'm on a diet and need to watch my girlish figure and they stare with their mouths open. My wife usually gives them the truth after I take off.

 

[markc7]

I do the soymilk thing too. I have a mocha soy drink that's got 250 calories in a small juice box. It also tends to settle my stomach during the run. I usually have one every 40km or so. The rest of the time I eat solid food and drink gatorade, water, or coke.

 

[ChrisG]

I'm another soy milk fan. I originally used Ensure because I could not find Slimfast with the magic 4:1 carb-protein ratio. But after I saw my husband's senile grandmother drink Ensure, I switched to chocolate soy milk. Its also cheaper except when I need to buy it in the individual juice boxes.

 

[divaleh]

Chris - that's why I went for the Costco brand. It's all about magic.<br><br>
I'll have to give Soy a shot tho...pack more calories in with less sloshing.

 

[RunningForT3]

Do you think Infinit is a good meal replacement? I use it for long workouts, but could replace anything, since you can set any number of carbs or protein. Just the fat is missing, but have a bacon cheeseburger at the end of the day to meet your quota <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Sherpa John]

Mmmmm.. Strawberry Boost.... mmmmm

 

[merigayle]

our local Whole Foods market sells soy milk juice boxes by the case, and i think amazon.com does too. Lately, i have not been using soy milk, but Vruit juices which is a vegetable/fruit juice blend <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[Trail Goat]

For those who stick with meal replacement drinks, consider trying Glucerna or similar meal replacement drink formulated for diabetics. All the calories and digestibility (even though all MRDs feel like a ton of bricks) with a better sugar profile, i.e., lower chance of blood sugar spike and then crash.

 

[ChrisG]

I like Organic Valley brand soy milk more than Silk. Otherwise, I probably would buy the cases of the Silk.<br><br>
Its also more of a recovery drink than meal replacement during the run. However, I did have a Silk "Slushy" in the middle of my last 50 miler and it was a great pick me up. I should remember to pack some for next month.<br><br>
Does anyone use any powered recovery drinks? I'm doing a staged race later in the summer that requires that I carry all my own calories. I haven't started experimenting yet since I'm focused on Zane Grey and San Juan.

 

[Yo Mikey]

I've used generic Ensure only for preloading/breakfast before marathons, HIM, and IM tris with great success. I've tried a bike bottle of it on one HIM and didn't really like the heavy taste, so won't continue with it's use for the course fuel. It's a good post workout drink though!

 

[bikernate]

I seem to have a hard time digesting soy and almost every meal replacement drink uses it as a major ingredient. <img alt="sign18.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sign18.gif"><br><br>
I have used Slim fast as a recovery drink and I am very impressed at how well it works. It does have some soy in it, but it never bothered me. I will experiment before Vermont, but I am concerned that drinking a bunch of cans will mess my stomach up.<br><br>
Does anybody else have this problem? Can anybody recommend a meal replacement that isn't soy based?<br><br>
Nate

 

[roots]

Anyone try Organic Valley, lowfat 1%, vanilla organic milk?<br><br><img alt="" src="http://www.organicvalley.coop/uploads/tx_ovproducts/milk_8oz_vanilla.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
I was the beneficiary of a 4-pack of these and I liked. I thought this would go great either mid-run or post-run.<br><br>
I've used CLIP and AMINO in the past. The milk seems MUCH more palatable.<br><br>
Anyone have more thoughts on milk for ultra runs?

 

[crunningman]

I'm a big fan of "light chocolate soy milk". It seems to agree with me more and is a great recovery drink as well.<br><br>
I used Boost in the past, but it isn't cheap and really over time got sick of the taste.

 

[ChrisG]

The nutrition facts for the milk above does show my magic ratio carb/protein ratio so it should be fantastic for recovery!<br><br>
While I'm not lactose intolerant, I worry that dairy would be too hard on my stomach while running. That's why I prefer soy milk.

 

[oldschool]

Research done on the consumption of protein during exercise indicates that soy protein is the best choice for endurance events. Soy minimizes the production of ammonia, a by-product of protein metabolism that inhibits performance. Whey protein is the best for recovery and should be consumed immediately after your race.