Bagels vs. Energy Bars
by Jim Brown, Ph.D.
Looking for an inexpensive, nearly-indestructible substitute for an energy bar? Consider the bagel.
David Pearson, Ph.D., associate professor of physical education at Ball State University in Indiana, was one of four researchers who found that a bagel gives the same exercise performance benefits as two popular energy bars.
Can't Sit On a Fig Newton
Explains Pearson, "We started by trying to find out why competitive cyclists were abandoning Fig Newtons in favor of energy bars. No differences in performance benefits were found, but a cyclist can't sit on a Fig Newton. So we began looking for an indestructible, high-carbohydrate food that could be readily available at an athletic training table."
In the Ball State study, reported in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, nine endurance-trained cyclists completed a one hour self-paced ride to lower muscle glycogen levels. Then they ate a standardized meal. The next morning, each cyclist performed a 30-minute ride followed by a sprint before being randomly assigned to eat either bagels, Power BarsŪ or Tiger BarsŪ over a four-hour period. Each of the foods contained 230 calories and the total amount of calories consumed during the period was 1,000.
Six hours later, each subject performed a one hour self-paced ride on an ergometer. The cyclists were tested for pre-ride glucose, energy output, post-ride glucose and respiratory exchange ratios. No significant differences were found in the measurements taken among the bagel, Power BarŪ and Tiger BarŪ users.
The Price Is Not Right
"Energy bars make a lot of claims as being food for athletes, but they are pricey," says Pearson. "There is nothing wrong with them except for the cost. You can get five bagels for the cost of a single energy bar. We're telling coaches and athletes that, while energy bars may be performance-effective, they are not cost-effective. Energy bars are tasty and convenient, but there's no magic in them. Common foods - including bagels -- are just as good."