Pickle Juice Shot - yes...you read that correctly. We have to admit, we never thought we'd sell a Pickle Juice Shot at The Feed, but it turns out that this might be the simplest and most effective way for you to stop cramps while exercising. Contrary to what you might think, there's no actual evidence that electrolytes alone will stop cramping, however the evidence is piling up that Pickle Juice Shots do stop cramps.

Cramps are probably the most feared outcome for endurance athletes, and until recently, we really haven't had a good solution for preventing or stopping them. Many athletes cramp during training or events despite training well and eating perfectly. If an athlete who cramps could avoid cramping or stop their cramping quickly...that'd be the holy grail of race day hacks! All of that said, we'll freely admit that drinking a Pickle Juice Shot might not taste good...in fact, you might think it's down right gross...however we can guarantee you're going to want once of these shots the next time you're cramping and can't keep going.

Athletes can either use this shot immediately before or during exercise...or both as needed. As with any product, we strongly recommend that you test this product in training before using during a key event.

How We Use It

We don't love the taste but we love how effective the product is at reducing cramping. We suck one down before long, hot, hard training and racing days. We haven't found a better way to get those electrolytes.

UnTapped heard you loud and clear: “I need a waffle with this maple syrup!” With that feedback, the UnTapped Maple Waffle was born. Many people have already tried and loved their original UnTapped Maple Syrup packs, and now you can pack twice the fun with their new Maple Waffle. The UnTapped Maple Waffle has its roots in the Belgian stroopwafel, but their waffle uses pure maple syrup, one of the world's great natural sweeteners.

In fact, all of the sugar and flavoring in this waffle comes exclusively from maple trees. Rather than the industry standard “natural” maple flavor and brown rice syrup as used in most waffles, UnTapped went straight to the real thing. Of course, the pressure mounted to use cheaper sugar or boost the maple taste with artificial flavorings. Resisting that path, the UnTapped Maple Waffle cut no corners to bring you a well-balanced flavor and sweetness.

At The Feed, we commend UnTapped for sticking to their priorities and bringing you a waffle with high-quality ingredients.

How We Use It

UnTapped Waffles are great anytime of day! They work as a pre-workout, mid-workout or even a tasty afternoon snack. Simple and sweet ingredients provide energy to keep you moving!!

Clif Bloks were a game changer when they were announced in 2005. At the time, there were very few “energy chews” on the market, and although you could stop by the convenience store for some gummy worms, Bloks upped the game by adding essential electrolytes to their gummies.

The Feed’s Faves: Tropical Punch or Mountain Berry

How We Use It

One serving is three blocks, but we believe in rationing them. During your workout consume 1 block at a time every 10-15 minutes, or 2 at a time every 30 minutes. Eating less than 3 blocks at a time is a more manageable amount to stomach when you’re exercising and won’t overload your gut with sugar nor require too much fluid to digest. The key is once you begin eating blocks, or any fast-acting energy, you need to continue consuming them throughout your workout. You can also use these bloks immediately before an intense 1-hour workout or when you’re headed to the gym. They’re a great way to keep your energy level up after a long day in the office.

Skratch has branched out and created their own energy chews; they call them Energy Chews. With the same focus on science and great ingredients, Skratch Labs Energy Chews use only real fruit for flavor, are loaded with sodium, are less sweet than most other chews, and utilize a specific ratio of fructose and glucose so you can get energy sooner.  Skratch Labs Energy Chews have a higher moisture content which makes them less syrupy, sticky, or overly sweet. They also have a higher sodium content, about 160mg per pouch, which will help you replace those essential electrolytes lost through sweat during exercise. The blend of cane sugar and tapioca syrup better matches the ratio of transporters for glucose and fructose in the small intestine. This improves energy absorption so you can get the most out of every single Skratch Labs Energy Chews.

Skratch Labs Energy Chews don't use carnauba wax, coloring or flavoring agents, or excess ingredients that aren’t necessary.  Skratch Labs Energy Chews are dipped in a sour sugarcoating to add a unique taste. They’re delicious, energizing, and the perfect chew to fuel your next workout. If you're interested in learning more about the science behind Energy Chews, click here to read a blog from Allen Lim PhD, co-founder of Skratch Labs.

Feed’s Fave: Raspberry

How We Use It

These are our go-to product for that mid workout boost. This product allows us to avoid bonking mid workout with out overpowering us with a sticky, overly sweet flavor. 

Maurten has quickly become a global powerhouse in the hydration game.  So why not the Gel game? Wait no more - The "World's First Energy Gel" is here!  Wait....the world's first?  Isn't there a ton of gels on the market now?  Maurten says - "We claim that Maurten’s Gel 100 is the world's first energy gel. We know it's a bold statement. However, when you look at the energy gel-segment from a technical perspective, the products on the market are syrups, water with high carbohydrate concentration, with some salt and often added flavors. The instructions state that you should consume them with water. One could argue that they, technically, are not gels but rather syrups.  The Gel 100 however is something completely different, since it’s a hydrogel and the definition of a gel is a liquid in a solid medium."

Adam is in the Feed Kitchen for our first look at Maurten Gel 100:

So how is this "Gel"different?  It is packaged in a similar one time use packet like others but that's the only thing that is the same.  It's texture is more like Jello and for sure easy to take down.  The Gel 100 contains 60% carbohydrates, comes in 40g servings and you don't need to wash it down with water.  (YES! No water.....we're in!)   It doesn't taste very sweet, you could almost say it’s flavorless like Maurten's other products. The energy to weight ratio is very high with a glucose to fructose ratio of 0.8:1 – the only one on the market that has this ratio, which enables uptakes of around 100 grams of carbohydrates per hour.

Safe to say....Maurten has just created a "game-changer" for the gel market.  

Here is a video from Tobias at Maurten on how Maurten works:

Maurten is sports fuel reinvented and simply put - We are HUGE fans of this product.  This revolutionary carbohydrate-rich hydration mix is widely used by the best marathoners in the world.  It gently combines two crucial elements for you to use during your run.  A high concentration of energy and carbs that are easily absorbed through your stomach.  Keep a close eye on how you mix it as 17oz (500ml) is the appropriate amount of water to use this fuel source to it’s full potential.

Mix Drink Mix 160 or 320 with water, and you’ll have a liquid sports drink containing high concentrations of maltodextrin and fructose. The drink instantly converts to hydrogel in the acidity of the stomach, encapsulating the carbohydrates. The hydrogel then enables a smooth transportation of the drink through the stomach to the intestine where the water, salt and carbohydrates are absorbed.

Feed's Fave: Drink Mix 160 is ideal for Cycling and moderate exertion levels.  We like Drink Mix 320 for longer intense workouts including marathon training.

How We Use It

If you like calorie drink mixes, this is the BEST option to try on all intensity workouts. Be careful on the amount of water you use and pay attention to that detail.  17oz or 500ml is the amount you are looking for.  The mix is designed to be mixed with water with <40mg/L calcium content. Higher levels can affect how it's dissolved.  Maurten is careful to say that the functionality of this ratio is key for it to work well.  Also, make sure you shake well until the solution dissolves.  Drink it before, during and/or after your activity.

Here is a video on how to use Maurten Drink Mix: