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    LadyFingersFred

    Most of the energy gel packets that I've seen out there contain caffeine. I know a lot of runners like the caffeine element, but I am one who has an unfavorable reaction to it. (I'll spare you the details) The problem for me is that it is sometimes very hard to tell if a gel has caffeine as it is usually not prominently stated on most of the packaging. and, those that may advertise as caffeine-free usually only come in the lamest flavors. (Key Lime...yuk!) 

    A few questions for the community: 

    Does anyone else prefer the non-caffeine energy gels and can they recommend a few brands with some decent flavors?

    Also, as much as I study the packaging of these products and will only use products that have no mention of caffeine, I've run into my caffein reaction with some of them still. Are there other ways to tell if something has caffeine in it from the list of ingredients? Does caffein have a more scientific name (dexa-, trycla-, xano-, etc.)?

     

     

    • CommentAuthorAPDuncan27
    • CommentTimeMar 14th 2008
     
    APDuncan27

    As far as I know, caffeine only has one name, caffeine. 

    The only gel I know of without caffeine is the Strawberry Banana GU, it tastes horrible and I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy.  

    I'm sure there are some others out there though, perhaps someone will chime in who can help you better. 

    • CommentAuthortravieso
    • CommentTimeMar 14th 2008 edited
     
    travieso
    I promise I don't work for Hammer Nutrition, but they only have caffeine in a couple gels. :) They are also pretty good about only using natural ingredients. The gels are basically their Heed sports drink in a gel, so you can mix and match. Here's a link: Hammer Gels
    I checked the Gu web page and it does look like all the gels except Strawberry have their Gu Herbal blend, which has some amount of caffeine. You might want to check out Clif shots; I've been a fan of Clif bars for a long time, and they clearly label which ones have caffeine.
    And yeah, I don't think caffeine is ever called anything but caffeine, although Wikipedia has a few variants that have other names. But I don't think they want to hide caffeine--when you're addicted like me, you want to be able to find it :)
    Good luck finding something that works! Of course, if you make your own like the post after mine, you can definitely know what's in them :)
    • CommentAuthorEchoes71
    • CommentTimeMar 15th 2008 edited
     
    Echoes71

    I'm not sure if you saw, but someone posted a link to a web page with a recipe for home-made gels. I haven't been able to buy the ingredients here, but it can't hurt to give it a try. Click here for the link.

    Good luck to you!

  5.  
    LadyFingersFred
    Thanks all for the feedback.
    • CommentAuthordan.keeler
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2008
     
    dan.keeler
    I think the caramel flavored Powergels are caffeine free (don't quote me, I may be thinking of the strawberry-banana, yuck). they are labeled pretty well, right on the front of the package.
    • CommentAuthorPretz
    • CommentTimeApr 16th 2008 edited
     
    Pretz

    The previously mentioned Wikipedia page says your body metabolizes caffeine to three compounds- paraxanthine, theobromine, and theophylline (two of these are found in chocolate). Perhaps you're allergic to some of these instead of the caffeine itself, and maybe they're in those energy gels. They don't show up in the ingredients for Gu, but they might be contained in the "herbal concoction" or "natural flavors".

     EDIT: Further investigation on Wikpedia suggests you should look for "Guarana" under the ingredients, since this contains all kinds of caffeine; maybe this is also in the herbal concoction.

    • CommentAuthorTink11
    • CommentTimeApr 17th 2008 edited
     
    Tink11

    The best gels I've found are here:

     

    http://www.accelsport.com/yalecycling

     

    They are accelerade, accel gels, essentially they've got protein and carbs and are superior to your simple sugar gels. They come in caffeinated or non caffeinated. Also, Cliff Shots from Clif Bar, come in a variety of flavors without caffeine.

    • CommentAuthorhoorah
    • CommentTimeMay 27th 2008
     
    hoorah
    Power Bar Vanilla. Yummy
    • CommentAuthorjacanz
    • CommentTimeJun 11th 2008
     
    jacanz

    The reaction can be to the specific carb content of some gels also not having enough water with them. I used to love Clif Shots when tehy came in tubes, haven't had them since they went back to the sachet packaging as the serving is too big. I now use Leppin which I think is an NZ only brand (www.leppin.co.nz).

    It may take several goes before you find a gel you can tolerate!

  11.  
    twilighthours

    If using a gel is this much work, and you have to have "several goes before you find a gel you can tolerate" then why use gels?

     What's the big advantage?  I feel like this is just some marketing gimmick. 

    Granted, I'm not doing 10 day adventure races, but even when I'm out for 4 or 5 hours, GORP, bananas, or a chocolate bar with water or the occasional gatorade works fine for me.

    Enlighten me, please.

  12.  
    LadyFingersFred

    Twighlight:  Most marathon or long distance training guides I have read recommend restoring nutrients if running beyond 1 hour. While GORP, bananas, etc. are all fine foods for this purpose, the gels offer a compact source one can carry easier on their person when running--which suits my particular needs.  (I just had a funny image of someone running with a bunch of bananas dangling from their waste).  Also, the gels are in semi-liquid form-- allowing easier digestion and quicker results. 

    • CommentAuthorjacanz
    • CommentTimeJun 27th 2008
     
    jacanz
    In my case anything solid while i'm training will come straight back up again. The gels I use have a fairly high salt content as well as carbs and I am too lazy to doctor up the Gatorade to ahve the right level of salt!
    • CommentAuthordietdude
    • CommentTimeJul 3rd 2008
     
    dietdude

    I've used a couple different gels, and like HammerGel the best.  I prefer the caffiene, but if you cannot tolerate it, they have a variety of non-caffientated gels.

    Also like the link echos71 provided, especially the addition of the food science (right up my alley as I'm a Dietitian).

    I'd be interested to hear what kind of reaction you have to caffiene, if possible.

    • CommentAuthorMk1Racer
    • CommentTimeJul 6th 2008
     
    Mk1Racer
    As another poster mentioned, check out the Cliff Blocks.  I don't like the texture, nor the taste of most gels, however, I LOVE Cliff Blocks.  And I know that most don't have caffeine.  In fact, I wish they would put some in some more of the flavors.

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