FAQ
PRODUCT FACTS, NUTRITION FACTS, ALLERGENS
How can i tell whether a certain allergen (e.G. Lactose, gluten) that i need to avoid due to an intolerance or allergy is present in one of the products?
As a company, we are legally obliged (according to the Food Information Regulation) to label the most common allergens in the list of ingredients for our products and to highlight them (visually) if they are included as ingredients. Powerbar® also voluntarily declares any potential traces of allergens. On our homepage, you can also activate a filter under “Nutritional type” for the products, e. g., gluten-free, to get an overview of all gluten-free Powerbar® products. If you have any further questions about allergens, please contact: nutritionteam@powerbar.de
Are there also products suitable for vegans?
We always take care to represent the interests of our consumers and therefore naturally also offer vegetarian and vegan products. You can find the complete vegan product range in our product filter under Diet: Vegan. Any further questions? Please contact: nutritionteam@powerbar.de
Is the product still edible after the best-before date (BBD) has expired?
The best-before date is indicated on the back of the packaging or underneath the can (depending on the product). The best-before date is the date until which a food or product can be consumed without any significant loss of taste or quality and without any health risks, provided it is stored properly. As this is a best-before date and not an expiry date, the product may still be safe to consume after the date indicated. However, as the manufacturer, we do not guarantee the quality of our products if they are consumed after the best-before date. The expiry of the best-before date can not only affect the taste, appearance, and microbial spoilage of a food product, but it can also influence its effectiveness. To ensure the longest possible use of our powdered products such as DELUXE, LEAN, CLEAN WHEY 100% ISOLATE, RECOVERY ACTIVE, RECOVERY MAX, ISOACTIVE, and ISOMAX, we recommend storing them in a well-sealed container in a dry place and protecting them from heat and moisture.
Can Isoactive Isotonic Sports Drink or Isomax Isotonic Sports Drink also be prepared as a hot drink?
Yes, both ISOACTIVE Isotonic Sports Drink and ISOMAX Isotonic Sports Drink can be prepared as hot drinks. When filled into a thermos flask, both sports drinks are therefore also suitable for winter sports enthusiasts as a warm refreshment on the go.
Is the small hole in the white seal or the inner lid of our cans normal, or is this a defect?
The small hole in the white inner lid of some of our products is not a quality defect – this hole (also known as a pinprick) must be present. It ensures that the sealing lid can withstand high pressure differences (pressure equalization). This prevents the can from collapsing or bursting. The pinprick is therefore present on cans where it is technically necessary. This means that air can escape from the can when pressure is applied from the outside, but no air can enter the can through the hole.
Sports nutrition
“I usually run out of energy by kilometer 30 at the latest” – How can this be avoided in competition (marathon)?
A competition situation should be simulated in advance during training in order to get a feel for WHAT should be eaten/drunk, in what QUANTITY, and at what POINT during exercise, so that unpleasant surprises or symptoms caused by a drop in blood sugar levels can be avoided. It is also beneficial to eat sufficient carbohydrates (pasta, bread, dried fruit, etc.) in the last few days before a marathon so that the energy stores in the muscles (glycogen stores) are well filled. In addition, for optimal preparation, nutrition should be cleverly planned in the last few hours before exercise.
There are also caffeinated sports drinks (e.g., Isomax Isotonic Sports Drink). When is the ideal time to consume these?
Caffeine in the right dosage can increase performance both within 60 minutes BEFORE and/or DURING prolonged endurance exercise. Especially after the first half of a longer endurance session, caffeine intake can delay the usual onset of fatigue and thus contribute to improved performance.
Doesn't caffeine dehydrate the body during exercise?
Scientific data does not confirm any connection between moderate caffeine intake (< 5 mg/kg body weight) during exercise and a negative impact on fluid balance or even dehydration (fluid deficiency).
What should we think about carb loading? How exactly does it work?
Carboloading is a proven strategy for replenishing glycogen stores in the muscles (i.e., energy reserves). Strategies have changed significantly in recent years. Today, simplified methods are recommended: in the last three days before a competition, eat a diet rich in carbohydrates and low in fiber and fat, while reducing your training workload. Carbohydrate-rich foods such as pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, dried fruit, and fruit smoothies are well suited for this so-called “carbohydrate loading phase.” Some easy tips are: add two extra spoonfuls of rice or pasta to your meals, choose a banana for dessert instead of low-calorie berries, and snack on an energy bar or a handful of raisins between meals. Important to know: Effective carboloading causes the body to store additional water, as carbohydrates are stored together with water in the glycogen stores. This increases body weight. This means that you have to “carry around” a little more weight. It is therefore important to try out this sports nutrition strategy before a long and intensive training session. Carbohydrate loading can have a positive effect on longer endurance activities!
When is the ideal time for cyclists to lose weight?
A reduced energy and carbohydrate intake should be planned during the off-season so that neither performance nor recovery is impaired. A diet can also increase the risk of injury and illness and should therefore be carefully planned and tailored to the individual rider.
What do vegetarians and vegans need to be aware of?
A poorly planned omnivorous diet is no more balanced than a poorly planned vegetarian diet. A well-planned lacto-ovo-vegetarian or vegan diet appears to adequately meet the nutritional needs of athletes. With a vegan diet, special attention should be paid to the intake of vitamins D and B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and the minerals iron and zinc. Vegans and vegetarians often have lower muscle creatine stores. In this case, a suitable creatine product can be a useful supplement. This is because well-filled creatine stores allow for more intensive training, which can improve repetitive sprint performance, for example.
What should the correct or optimal daily diet for endurance athletes include, or does this vary from person to person?
A healthy, varied, and needs-based diet is important for every athlete. Total energy requirements vary from person to person and depend on factors such as age, gender, muscle mass, and athletic activity. The following factors can also influence total energy requirements and the optimal ratio of macronutrients (fat, carbohydrates, and protein): - Weight management or management of the optimal ratio of body fat and muscle mass - Training periodization.
What are the most common nutritional mistakes made during training and competition?
In addition to an incorrect drinking strategy, a common mistake during exercise is an inappropriate or poorly timed carbohydrate intake, which varies depending on the training goal or competition duration. A continuous and individually tested optimal carbohydrate intake is a decisive factor for maximum performance in competition. On the other hand, carbohydrate intake during training is not always necessary or effective, depending on the desired training adjustments.
What is recommended shortly before the start of a competition?
Small carbohydrate-rich snacks such as energy bars (e.g., ENERGIZE bars or NATURAL ENERGY FRUIT BARS) or a ripe banana are a good choice up to one hour before exercise, combined with some liquid. If you are very nervous, liquid carbohydrate preparations (e.g., gels dissolved in water) are usually better than solid food.
What and how much should I drink before a competition?
As a general recommendation, approximately 5-10 ml of fluid per kilogram of body weight is recommended 2-4 hours before exercise. Within the last hour before a competition, approximately 100-300 ml of fluid is optimal. Anything that is well tolerated individually is suitable (sports drinks such as ISOACTIVE Isotonic Sports Drink, sweetened teas, water, etc.). Some athletes also like to consume caffeinated drinks. Caffeine can support performance and is considered a “mental booster” among endurance athletes. However, this is only beneficial if caffeine is well tolerated.
How many gels should be taken during a marathon, and when?
This is an individual decision and should definitely be tried out in training beforehand. As a rule of thumb, depending on individual tolerance, a carbohydrate intake of up to approx. 60g per hour (e.g. one POWERGEL® every 30 minutes) is recommended for a marathon run. However, it is essential not to neglect your drinking strategy.
There is a wide range of drinks, bars, and gels available. What is the right choice for whom?
The product format in which carbohydrates are consumed during exercise should be chosen individually according to preference and the duration and intensity of the exercise. If you have a sensitive stomach, are very nervous, or are exercising intensely, energy gels and sports drinks are usually more suitable than solid food. For longer cycling sessions, a combination of liquid and solid food can be a good idea for variety.