Triathlon: Discovering the missing link in sports nutrition . . .By Tony DeBoom

Last fall, my wife Elize was shopping at our local running store when she over heard a rep introducing the manager to a new sports nutrition product. Being intimately familiar with my constant struggle to find the ideal nutritional aid program, she took notice and ended up coming home with a couple of free samples.

Fast-forward 6 months and here I sit writing a product review about this discovery. I've been using SuperBites steadily during trainings and competitions and I am happy to report that it has turned out to be my missing link in sports nutrition. Here's why . . .

Too many times have I been on the edge of a great performance only to have my energy level suddenly drop or stomach problems arise. I think the nutritional aid program during trainings and races is so important, I call it the fourth event of a triathlon.

In my career as a professional triathlete, I have tried everything in an effort to discover a program that keeps both my energy level steady and my stomach happy. I've tried bars, energy gel's, high carbo drinks, carbo/protein mixes, smoothies, colas…and the one thing I've realized is that they all seem to work some of the time. The determining factor seems to be what my stomach feels it can tolerate given the ever-changing circumstances. That's the problem with triathlon - rarely are the circumstances the same. Sometimes it's cold, sometimes it's hot, sometimes it's windy, sometimes you are rested, sometimes it's hilly, sometimes it's…well, you get the picture. Depending on the situation, carbo drinks can cause unforeseen distress on your digestive system. Same goes with your body breaking down bars or trying to deal with the super sweet flavor of many energy gels.

The other factor that comes into play is the effects of the conditions on the products themselves. The harsher the conditions of the day, the more likely my nutrition plan will …well, struggle! In the heat, my bars melt to the wrapper or the top tube of my bike, my warm carbo drink that went down easily when chilled is now barely drinkable, and my sweet energy gel often causes me to gag. In the cold, my bars about break my teeth, my carbo drinks turn to chunky ice and my energy gel's can still make me gag while my numb fingers have a tough time opening the packets.

Here's what I have learned from the mistakes I have made and from trying just about every product available in lots of different conditions. 1. A product that makes it easy to take small doses of carbohydrates a few times an hour is easier on the stomach and delivers a more steady level of energy. 2. The quicker and easier a product digests and starts working the better. 3. A product that tastes good and performs the same in heat or cold is rare, but necessary. 4. I don't need to eat the high quantity of carbs per hour typically recommended if it's the right product.

Now there are products out there that may have one or two of these qualities, but having all four is quite rare. That's why I was thrilled with Elize's discovery. SuperBites are similar to a gel but come in quick-dissolving, chewable tablets. They are very easy to take in small doses at whatever intervals work best for you. Just a couple of bites and they dissolve in your mouth and go down easily. (Or you can suck on them and let them dissolve slowly.) They don't sit in your stomach and you feel them working right away. And, bonus, they are tasty and work the same regardless of temperature and conditions. Lastly, they pack a surprisingly big punch for a seemingly small amount. I usually start off with two SuperBites and then take a couple every 20 minutes or so.

The SuperBites formula cuts out all the bulk and just provides two things: the exact form of carbs that the body burns as fuel and the key electrolytes. Literally no digesting or processing is required. The end result is a nice, steady state level of energy and a happy stomach.

For me, this product is the missing link in sports nutrition. I highly recommend you give them a try. SuperBites can be found at: www.superbitesenergy.com.