How can I use PowerBar® Performance Energy bars?
PowerBar® Performance Energy bars meet the demands of athletes competing at the highest levels of exercise intensity and duration. Here are some ways you can incorporate this bar into your game plan:
• Use these bars as part of a high-carbohydrate meal 2–4 hours before exercise.
• Consume a bar as a high-carb snack 30–60 minutes before exercise.
• Consume 1–2 bars per hour during exercise that lasts for over an hour. Athletes in team sports often eat bars during quarter and half-time breaks to recharge energy levels. Triathletes and cyclists pack these bars in their jersey pockets and take bites during downhill or flat stretches.
• Feel free to use these bars interchangeably with other PowerBar products for more variety.
Why are PowerBar® Performance Energy bars recommended for before and during exercise?
PowerBar® Performance Energy bars are high in easily-digestible carbs to top off your muscle glycogen stores before exercise. The bars contain 3.5–5g of fat and small amounts of fiber. High-fat and high-fiber foods before exercise can slow down the gastric emptying rate, leaving you more susceptible to stomach discomfort during exercise. Choosing a sports nutrition product like PowerBar Performance Energy bars before and during exercise will give you the energy your muscles need for optimal performance and leave you less likely to experience stomach discomfort.
What kind of energy do PowerBar® Performance Energy bars provide?
Endurance athletes and exercise enthusiasts need to eat a high-carbohydrate diet on a daily basis in order to load up on muscle fuel stores of glycogen before exercise. If you’re one of these people, you also need carbs during exercise in order to delay the onset of fatigue. PowerBar® Performance Energy bars provide maximum energy delivery with PowerBar® C2MAX dual source energy blend. C2MAX is a research-tested 2:1 glucose to fructose blend that’s been shown to deliver 20–50% more energy to muscles than glucose alone and improve endurance performance by 8%.*
*Currell K, Jeukendrup A. Superior endurance performance with ingestion of multiple transportable carbohydrates. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2008; 40:275–281.
Click here for more information on C2MAX
Does PowerBar® Performance Energy bar provide electrolytes?
Each PowerBar® Performance Energy bar contains 200 mg sodium — a key electrolyte lost in sweat. Loss of sodium from sweating is associated with muscle cramping in some athletes. Potassium (105 mg per bar) and calcium (250 mg per bar), are also found in PowerBar® Performance Energy bar. These electrolytes are also lost in sweat, but to a much lesser extent than sodium.
AVERAGE SWEAT LOSS IN ATHLETES:
Sports Nutritionists and Dietitians generally recommend 500–1000 mg sodium per hour during intense exercise, but sodium losses vary greatly. Therefore, there is no exact intake of sodium to recommend during exercise.
Average Quantities of Electrolytes Lost in Sweat:
Sodium: 920–1840 mg per liter of sweat
Potassium: 156–312 mg per liter
Calcium: 120–160 mg per liter
Are all PowerBar® Performance Energy bar flavors created equal?
All PowerBar® Performance Energy bar flavors have comparable ingredients and nutritional content for the U.S. market. Internationally, products vary slightly to conform to country-specific regulations.
Is the PowerBar® Performance Energy bar approved for diabetics?
PowerBar® Performance Energy bars are used successfully by many diabetics. PowerBar Performance Energy bars provide 3 carbohydrate exchanges and 1 lean-protein exchange as defined by the American Dietetic Association and the American Diabetes Association. As with any food item, it is important to review the carbohydrate content so you can factor this into how you manage your diabetes. Check with your health care professional for more information.
Why do PowerBar® Performance Energy bars freeze?
Because PowerBar® Performance Energy bars contain 1.5–4g of fat and have a water base, you may find that the bars freeze in colder weather. To retain its soft texture, keep your PowerBar Performance Energy bar close to your body by keeping it in an inside pocket, or warm it prior to eating.
How long will my PowerBar® Performance Energy bars last?
Each PowerBar® Performance Energy bar is stamped with a “best by” date. Although it is safe to eat PowerBar Performance Energy bars after this date, we recommend that you use them by the “best by” date to ensure you're enjoying the freshest product and receiving the full nutritional benefits of the product.