GU Review

A couple months ago, GU sent me some gel packets to try out in exchange for a blog review.  I had only tried the power bar gel and you can read what I thought about that HERE.  I had seen the word GU all over the blogosphere so I wanted to see what all the hype was about.  Well, they sent me 4 different flavors to try! With not being able to run for 2 weeks before my half marathon, I didn’t get to try them all out before hand, but just recently tried the last flavor this past week!

A little about GU (from their website)

GU is simple. Simple is fast.

Simple to take, simple to digest, GU Energy Gel provides just what you need for premium exercise fuel and none of the extras that slow you down. GU takes you where you want to go, fast.

Launched in 1991, the world’s first energy gel is still the most efficient sports fuel available today. GU’s carbohydrate blend delivers high-quality, easily-digested and long-lasting energy for athletes in every sport and at all levels.

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The packets say to take a GU 15 minutes before and then every 45 during and to follow up with a swig of water.  I didn’t take a gel before my half marathon because I had eaten before so I didn’t need it.  Also, on my long runs, I tend to take a gel every 30-45 minutes or every 3-5 miles depending on how I’m feeling.  Now, on to my thoughts about the different flavors!

 

Mandarin Orange (w/caffeine)

 

   This flavor is relatively new.

   To be honest, this was probably
   my least favorite flavor out of the
   four that they sent me to try.

   It was, in my opinion a little too
   citrusy and the texture seemed to
   be a little thicker than the others. 

   click the image to enlarge nutrition

 

 

Vanilla Bean  (w/caffeine)

   I actually liked GU’s Vanilla gel
   better than the power bar gel that I
   tried a while ago (see above).

  Vanilla Bean is actually pretty good
   and kind of reminds me of frosting
   a little bit.

   I can see myself adding this flavor
   with others in the future in my GU
   Gel flask for a new interesting 
   flavor

   Click the image to enlarge nutrition

 

Mint Chocolate (No caffeine added)**

 

   I really liked this flavor!

   Mint Chocolate reminds me of the
   little Andes mints you get at Olive
   Garden or sometimes in hotel
   rooms

   It’s like downing candy during a
   long run!

   Click the image to enlarge nutrition

 

Tri-Berry  (w/caffeine) 

   This is my absolute flavor that GU
   sent me to try out!

   I ordered some of the Tri-Berry gel
   after i tried it and used it for my
   half marathon in September

   Usually I tend to prefer chocolate
   flavors over fruity flavors but I
   loved this flavor!  Unlike the
   Orange, I didn’t think that this
   flavor was too much of anything!

   Click the image to enlarge nutrition

 

I never once had any issues after downing a gel.  It never made my tummy hurt or made me feel queasy and I can honestly say that I can tell a difference when I use GU on my long runs versus not! 

I have since acquired more GU and it has become my go to fuel for my training and will be my go to fuel for my races! It is highly unlikely that you have not heard of GU, but just in case you haven’t, if you would like to learn more or order your own gel GO HERE!  Thank you GU Energy for allowing me to test your products!

Do you use GU or do you use something else to fuel during those hard/long training runs and races?  If you use GU, what is your favorite flavor?

 

If you would like to host a review/giveaway on my blog please feel free to send an email to Zaneta at runners.luck@hotmail.com

** In case you didn’t read the nutrtion label for the Mint Chocolate, it contains a small amount of caffeine already due to the dark chocolate ingredient, but has no added caffeine other than that 4mg per packet