Twenty four vitamins and minerals are found in SoLo bars to give your body what it needs to function correctly.  SoLo bars contain antioxidants to promote cell recovery, providing the perfect balance between good carbs, good fats and protein.  When comparing SoLo bars to the PowerBar Perform energy bar, it is clear that the SoLo Low Glycemic Nutrition Bar has a better balance of nutrients.  In addition to being Certified Low Glycemic (23-29) by University Researchers, the SoLo bar contains more calories, protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals and also has fewer carbs and less sodium.  These delicious, super healthy nutrition bars do not contain any sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners.

What you get with SoLo is maximum performance with sustained fuel delivery, whilst other nutritional comparisons are also met.  The combination of nutritional and scientific excellence makes this energy bar ideal for anyone – from professional athletes and weekend endurance event warriors to diabetic patients.  There are many flavour options to choose from: Berry Bliss, Chocolate Charger, Lemon Lift, Mint Mania and Peanut Power.  A wide range of flavours on offer, in addition to an excellent all-rounder, make SoLo bar one of the better energy bars available today.  This one definitely delivers.

The GO Electrolyte sports drink delivers the precise amount of carbohydrates, electrolytes and sodium needed to ensure you are operating at peak levels.  GO combines multiple energy sources that work together to optimise energy delivery to your muscles.  The taste is clean and refreshing, thanks in part to the drink not containing any sucrose or table sugar.  With four different flavours to choose from, you will certainly find a favourite to take along to your next event or workout.  The flavours include Lemon & Lime, Blackcurrant, Watermelon and Tropical.  Which one will you choose?

GO Electrolyte Sports Drink provides all the essential electrolytes, which include sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium and chloride.  When these essentials are lost during sweating and excessive exercise, GO Electrolyte replenishes these elements to the muscle cells.  It is a completely drug-free beverage.  The refreshment of GO Electrolyte certainly gets our thumbs up, and the product proved to work effectively during a rigorous workout.  Certainly one of the better sports drinks on the market today.

The Lucozade Sport Hydration range includes great-tasting, low calorie options such as Lucozade Lite Sport drink, Hydro Active Powder Stick and Hyrdo Active Plus Powder Stick for fast hydration.  These products contain not only important fluid that is normally lost during sweating, but also electrolytes such as sodium.  The combination of glucose and sodium helps to hydrate you more effectively by maximising the rate of fluid uptake in the body.

Lucozade Sport Body Fuel contains carbohydrates in the form of glucose, the body’s preferred energy source.  Lucozade Sport Fuel can give your body the fuel it needs to get more out of your workout.

Lucozade Sport Focus is designed for high-intensity events and endurance activities that require you to be physically and mentally on top of your game.  The ingredients have been proven to be effective at enhancing a consistent running speed and work rate, allowing you to cover more ground faster.

Lucozade Sport Recovery products are also scientifically formulated to help speed up recovery times, thanks to their carbs and high quality whey protein that you need to refuel after a workout.

Lucozade Sport Pro Muscle products contain scientifically-verified high quality protein that helps to build muscle strength and mass.  The Pro Muscle products provide an excellent range of sports drinks, including a bar, powders and a tasty chocolate flavoured protein shake.

All in all, Lucozade’s sports drinks have been

The benefits of energy bars include:

• A convenient energy source.
• Boosted carbohydrate levels.
• Improved endurance.
• A sustained release of energy for athletes.
• Maintained blood sugar levels.
• Postponed exercise-related fatigue.
• A convenient post-exercise snack.
• Re-fuelled glycogen stores in the body.

Energy drinks are identified as being equally effective as energy bars, in terms of helping athletes recover and restore their energy levels during and after training.  However, there is one major advantage of using energy drinks in comparison to energy bars: they replenish essential fluids that are lost through sweating.

The benefits of sports energy drinks include:

• A source of essential electrolytes (sodium, potassium).
• A source of caffeine, protein and important herbs.
• A source of amino acids.
• Boosted endurance levels.
• Maintained blood glucose levels.
• Postponed post-training fatigue.
• Reduced cramping.
• Easily digestible.

Choosing the right kind of supplement is one of the keys to realising your fitness and exercise goals.  When used appropriately, energy supplements and drinks can benefit your workout.

Some of the more popular sports drinks are Gatorade, Powerade, Lucozade and Science in Sport GO.  With all these different options available, how do you ultimately decide which sports drink is the right one to use?

There are three different types of sports drinks: hypertonic, hypotonic and isotonic.  It is very important to choose the right kind of sports drink to maximise one’s workout and achieve fitness goals.  Most sports drinks replenish fluids, carbs and electrolytes in a ratio similar to that normally found in the human body, but some can replenish them in much higher concentrations.  Choose sports drinks carefully and your body will function better.  Note that it is best to opt for a sports drink that does not mostly consist of fructose, as this can slow absorption and cause stomach cramps.  It is best to look for sports drinks that contain glucose, sucrose and glucose polymers (maltodextrins).

Hypertonic sports drinks are the best option for people that are involved in rigorous, extended physical activity.  These types of drinks are a great source of fuel for the muscles because they have the greatest concentration of carbohydrates.  When exercising at a very high level, such as swimming, cycling or running, the body burns up a lot of fuel in a short amount of time.  Hypertonic drinks replenish lost carbohydrates better than Hypotonic or Isotonic drinks.  Carbohydrates make up about 10-15% of a 500ml hypertonic sports drink.  Hypertonic drinks should only be consumed post-workout because the concentration of carbohydrates can interfere with the absorption of the fluid and electrolytes.

Hypotonic drinks have a lower concentration of carbohydrates.  This type of drink is best consumed when the person is sweating and exercising at moderate levels, but not exercising at intense levels for prolonged periods.  When doing this type of exercise, potassium and sodium are decreased in the body, but not enough calories are being burned to justify a more calorie-rich hypertonic drink.

Isotonic sports drinks will normally contain about 6-8% carbohydrate concentration.  This concentration level is similar to the concentration of salt and sugar in the human body.  Usually, this kind of sports drink contains about 120-170 calories per 500ml volume of liquid, and is an excellent option for someone that will be engaging in moderate exercise for around an hour.  Isotonic beverages can also work well as a post-workout drink because they can restore muscle glycogen to aid in muscle recovery.

Keeping hydrated during exercise and physical exertion is very important for optimal performance – it will affect how the body feels and functions.  Hydrating with the right sports drink allows athletes to perform to the best of their abilities.

Convenience – energy bars have enough calories to keep you going when it matters most.  Often, athletic events require extraordinary amounts of energy, but do not allow the time for a fully prepared meal.  Being able to pack a small energy bar in your pocket allows for an added energy boost when you need it.  Taking along an energy bar saves on space and will not weigh you down.  Furthermore, energy bars do not require refrigeration, making it less complicated to enjoy a good, healthy meal on the go.

Variety – there are many different types of energy bars on the market and each variety will appeal to a specific energetic or dietary requirement.  Some people who are trying to lose weight and want to avoid the fast food option will find a quick, healthy meal replacement bar an appealing option.  Other people turn to energy bars to get that added boost of energy often required before a race, or as an aid in post-run recovery.  In addition to the variety of needs energy bars meet, there is also a wide choice of flavours, from chocolate to nuts and fruit.  As these energy bars are so versatile, there are also different variations, including high carb, sports, nutrition, high protein, organic and other types to choose from.  Knowing ahead of time what the goals are (e.g. fitness, weight loss, and/or healthy meal replacement) will help the individual determine the best type and brand to use.

Some of the more popular brands out there are PowerBar, TORQ, Maxim and Clif bars.  Each of these brands offers specific energy bars to fit the customer’s needs – whether they are seeking weight loss or extra energy during the day.  Be sure to identify energy and exercise goals ahead of time so the energy bar you choose can meet those needs.

Examples of energy bars include those by TORQ – a wheat-free option for those people that are sensitive to wheat, although it is not gluten-free.  While it is true that some of TORQ’s energy bars are at the higher end of the price scale, it is important to note that the ingredients are a much healthier option, offering a lightweight, easy-to-store and compact package.  PowerBar is another example of a common energy producer, which provides energy bars to meet any need – from exercise and recovery to meal replacement for weight loss.  Choose carefully and carry out research to make sure that the balance between carbohydrates, protein and fat content is provided by your choice of energy bar.

With the correct knowledge, energy bars can be an excellent option for anyone seeking a healthy weight loss meal replacement and/or extra energy for athletic events.