Are energy bars a good choice?
Energy bars are convenient but theyre not magical. Their “energy” comes from about 250 calories worth of carbohydrates, fat and protein. The small amount of special ingredients such as ginseng and ginkgo in some bars wont provide any additional energy boost. Choose low-fat bars with no more than 20 grams of protein. However, a bagel, yogurt and fruit or fig bars will give you just as much energy and cost less. Do I need a sports drink? Sports drinks replace fluid lost in sweat and provide carbohydrates for energy. Drink them only if your workout is strenuous and lasts more than an hour or if you sweat profusely. Otherwise, water is a better choice you may consume more calories from an energy drink than you would burn during your workout. Drink two cups of water before and after exercising and small amounts every 15 to 20 minutes during exercise. Will sports supplements give me an edge? Sports supplements, such as creatine, abound, but most have not been proven to boost performance. Ami
