Advice on Food during Exercise please

[Wendywu]

I need some ideas please.  I'm scheduled to row a 75km Ultramarathon on the 22nd October and this is gonna take a serious lot of carbs to get through. I can't do it just on OJ and jellybabies 
 
Breakfast will hold me for the first two hours (maybe) of rowing. After that I can use the OJ for another couple of hours.  Then I will definitely need to eat but it needs to be easy to get down, very digestible (or I'll just throw up), and not got that ghastly sugary undertaste that most sweet things have.
 
The most important criteria is very quick to eat because time spent munching is added onto the clock!
 
I don't much care for bananas or they would be ideal.  I thought of rice pud but it's a bit heavy. So is Oat-so-simple.  I can eat that kind of thing before exercise provided it gets a while to settle down, but not if I need to eat and keep going immediately.
Anyone got any ideas?  I asked the other rowers I know but they all eat bananas.  My husband is happy to do the prep and just pass me the bowl when I need it.

[Pattidevans]

chopped up Pear or Apple?  Mango?  Cereal bars?

[Wendywu]

Mango and pear would be good. Mashed, I think.  Thanks!!  I like both of those.  I'm good with stewed apple too, although not raw so much.

Maybe cereal bars - I don't normally have them but I could check them out in the supermarket.

Thanks Patti!

[Liam]

The advice I have (but not used as I don't really do this kind of exercise) depends how long it will take. I'm thinking a long while from the sounds of it thou. As well as eating more snacks it is suggested you reduce your morning Levemir by 50% and evening and even next days Levemir by 10-20%. I think you really want to have slower on set carbs to kept you going steady longer rather than OJ etc. I've never really done anything like this and even if I had my body might react differently. I think you are likely the most experienced member we have with this type of thing

[Lucy]

for quick easily shoved down carbs, have you looked into the gels etc?

[Wendywu]

My endo recently said I should reduce the night time basal by one third, the night before. (I don't need a day time basal), and forget about bolusing completely for the whole day. And then reduce the basal the actual night of the row too.

I'll need a mix of fast and slow carbs probably - I need the fast to cover me while the slow kick in. I'll be getting through about 40g of carb an hour minimum.  The energy cereal bars sound useful because I need lots of calories as well as carbs - about 600 cals an hour's worth.  Definitely the mashed fruit though - I love that idea.  I thought about custard too.  Trouble is, there's a real limit to how much time I can spend pushing food down.  I'll get about 2 minutes every half hour or so.  ANd if I need to, I can take a five minute break to go for a "comfort break", but it all goes on the clock and it mounts up over the whole distance.  So ideally I'm looking for things I don't really have to chew.

[Wendywu]

for quick easily shoved down carbs, have you looked into the gels etc?

No I hadn't, but I will - thanks Lucy

[Liam]

I always just assume 2 basal rates with Levemir if I don't know any better. 1/3 is likely able right then since you still need it 'normal' over night. Seems like a good idea thou eh? Might mean you need to eat less so that you can spend less time off while on the clock. Like I said I've never exercised to this kind of extent. I'm more of a go for a walk for a few hours type and all I really need to do is eat 10-20g of slow acting carbs.

I'm sure it will all go well as you have a good bit of experience in this area and have a great time.

[GrammaBear]

Have you considered an 'energy drink'?  In the U.S.A. these energy drinks seem to be used a lot by people who are very athletic.  Since your husband is very good with cooking, he could probably make you something suitable for your body's requirements.  I've noticed whilst reading the ingredients label on these energy drinks that some contain things that might aggravate your stomach. 

[Lucy]

Hi5 SIS Lucozade GU Powergel etc do the gels - find them in sports shops. I've definitely seen them in bike shops.

EG the lucozade one, 45g tube of "carbohydrate energy" has 123 cals and 31g carbs. Others are usually nearer 25g carbs iirc. You've probably seen them before - squeeze/roll from the bottom of the tube, it just goes down easily for a boost of carbs. Supposed to have a drink with each tube.

[Pattidevans]

Just curious, but wouldn't these energy drinks and gels be the same as having Orange juice or jelly babies?  I thought Wendy was looking for something a bit more substantial and slower?

[Lucy]

i was thinking the gels are easy to swallow, and not as heavy. 30g carbs from a 45g tube is a lot lighter on the stomach and faster to consume than having a whole bottle of lucozade sport for 30g carbs, or (~300ml?) orange juice for 30g carbs.

I am assuming wendy will need a variety of carbs to sustain herself.

[Pattidevans]

Ahhhh I see, you meant instead of the OJ/Jelly babies.

[Wendywu]

I'll try the gel because jelly babies are so sugary they make me feel a bit queasy after a while.  Also, the energy drinks and then eating the mashed fruit etc. sound like they should really help.

I reckon that taking alternating gel/mashed fruit and gulping the drinks will do the trick.  The figures seem to work, so it should work out.

I'll try and make sure I have a wide variety of choices; so all of these ideas are really helpful.

[big paul]

Maybe a fruit smoothie with oats and honey mixed in. Could be quicker to digest, Could also add some of the weight trainers formulas for stamina.