Source of Maltodextrin

I buy all my protein powder etc from true nutrition.

https://truenutrition.com/p-5086-maltodextrin-1lb.aspx

I used to use Sustained Energy for long rides. Its main ingredient is maltodextrin.

http://www.hammernutrition.com/products/sustained-energy.se.html

Another choice, also based on maltodextrin, is Perpetuem:

http://www.hammernutrition.com/products/perpetuem-reg-.pp.html

Electrolytes can be important for longer rides, especially when you are sweating a lot. I liked this product:

http://www.hammernutrition.com/products/endurolytes-reg-.elt.html

I tried another product (I think it was called Succeed), but it upset my stomach pretty bad. I also made my own pills for a while. You can also get your electrolytes in some sports drinks, but I preferred to take mine separately so that I could regulate it better.

A lot of sports nutrition you will have to experiment and see what works for you.

I grind up beef jerky in a coffee grinder for my protein powder.

Not really.

If you have a dog, keep in mind that the xylitol in Heed is toxic to dogs. It’s easy to spill some or have them steal a bit from your glass when you’re not looking (my dog is stealthy, we’ve learned), so I just prefer to not have it around.

@Tim Kelley 146591 wrote:

Friends don’t let friends drink Heed or Perpetuem. Tastes like dish soap.

You’ve been warned!

ugh – the only time I ever barfed on a ride from nasty-azz sports drink was from HEEEEEEED. Disgusting stuff.

to the OP – try experimenting with real food for energy rather than relying on drinks for anything other than fast burn sugar and electrolytes. Protein in drinks should only come post-ride.

@jrenaut 146596 wrote:

But a word of warning – the first time I did the Wine Country Century out in CA, they had some Gatorade alternative at the rest stops. I inherited my dad’s iron gut and almost nothing bothers my stomach, but whatever this stuff was (and unfortunately I can’t remember the name) messed up my digestive system for two entire weeks.

It was probably Franzia Fruity Red Sangria. A word to the wise: Don’t ever chug it.
:rolleyes:

@Tania 146601 wrote:

I agree and disagree to a point. But find what works for YOU.

For me, protein in drinks works fine and keeps my blood sugar from plummeting; I don’t have any issues with any of the Hammer products (nor anything, really).

I prefer to eat too but on centuries I find I just don’t want to eat anything solid (not that I can’t – it’s just that the food at most aid stations is nothing I’d ever really eat making the offered food even less appetizing than usual and there’s only so much food I can cram into my jersey pockets) so the more liquid cals I can take in, the better. Heed + Sustained Energy can give me 200-300 cals a bottle.

Again, I like it, I don’t have any issues with it, I don’t have a dog and I have two large containers on my kitchen counter that will come back into rotation now that it’s cooler. Plus, the OP was asking about sources of maltodextrin, not everyone’s opinion about it.

unpopular opinion of mine: most of us (cyclists in general, not just us forumites) eat way too much on rides. Anything under 3 hours for me = no food, only water or electrolyte (low sugar and definitely no corn syrup junk) drinks/gels/chews. Anything over 3 hours, eat whatever keeps your stomach and your head happy. another unpopular opinion: bonking is more psychological than physiological. And another thing to keep in mind: males and females have significantly different nutritional needs before/during/after endurance activities, especially considering the female monthly cycle. So, what works for a guy *probably* isn’t going to do much for a gal, and so forth.

I’ve done a fair amount of reading up on fat-trained endurance athletes and can literally feel when my body goes from burning whatever is “in the belly” (glycogen reserves in the muscles) to burning fat. Once I feel that change, riding from 2-4 hours with little-to-no food doesn’t bug me if I’m not riding at anything more than Z2/staying aerobic.