Why (Surprisingly) I’m Keen on the New Jelly Belly Sport Beans
Posted October 10th, 2006 at 10:00 AM by Adam Jacobs
Section: Nutrition, Hydration, Race Prep & Recov, Supplements, Product Reviews
After months of resistance - I finally gave in and tried the new Jelly Belly Sport Beans. I used them during training runs of varying lengths and then again last weekend during a half-marathon.
On each occasion I consumed them in lieu of my normal Powerbar PowerGels (I always use the decaffeinated ones). To be honest - I was pleasantly surprised and might be hooked.
I really found them to do a just as good, if not better, job of helping me maintain my energy. However, it is the ease of use that really sets them apart from your standard carbohydrate energy gels and what may have been the decisive element in winning me over.
Energy gels can be quite messy , difficult to consume while running and sometimes leave your mouth feeling “pasty”. However, Jelly Belly’s Sport Beans don’t have this innate problems. They are easy to pop in your mouth, leave no residue on your hands, and don’t get stuck in your teeth (which was a pleasant surprise).
In addition, the Sport Beans taste MUCH better. They come in two flavors: tangerine and lemon-lime. I enjoyed them both, but prefer the tangerine.
All in all - I, contrary to my expectations, found them to be fantastic and would highly recommend them.
In terms of nutritional facts, Jelly Belly states that a single pack of these “magic” beans:
Contains 25 grams of carbohydrates to fuel your body during intense exercise, and a balanced supply of electrolytes (sodium and potassium) vital for maintaining fluid balance.
They have twice the carbohydrates of one serving of Gatorade and twice the sodium of CLIFShot Energy Gel. It also has more potassium than Gatorade, CLIFShot and GU Enegry Gels.
The Sport Beans are back by nutritionist Liz Applegate, a regular nutrition columnist for Runners’ World Magazine.
For more information and complete nutritional information, please check out “Jelly Belly Introduces Sport Beans”.
Sources and Picture from: [Jelly Belly], [Candy Blog]
***Note: We encourage EVERYONE to see a doctor before altering their diet, taking a supplement and/or performing athletic, fitness or other strenuous physical activity. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any information, instruction, opinion or advice contained in the content. Please also see our complete disclaimer.***
Tags: carbohydrate energy gels, Clif Shot, electrolytes, energy gels, gatorade, GU, hydration, jelly belly, liz applegate, PowerGel, review, sodium, sport beans
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The Final Sprint
[…] Overall, if you are runner looking for an alternative to energy gels, then go for Jelly Belly’s Sport Beans instead. They are very effective, lighter, have smaller packages and are much more convenient. They will also leave your hands much cleaner and get stuck in your teeth far less frequently. On the other hand, the Shot Blocks can be a wise choice if you are looking for a carbohydrate replenishment source for your cross-training workouts and/or if your main sport is cycling or hiking. […]
December 7th, 2006 at 7:28 pmI might be biased because I’m employed by Jelly Belly, but I love the Sport Beans too. I jog at lunch with friends, and the Fruit Punch Sport Beans give me energy that is very portable. We also make Berry Blue. Try all 4 flavors.
December 11th, 2006 at 4:55 pm[…] For those of you who just can’t stand the taste of energy gels or find them difficult to consume on the go, try the Jelly Belly’s Sport Beans. They taste great, are packed with electrolytes and carbs and are easy to pop in your mouth without slowing down. For more information on the Jell Belly Sport Beans check out “Why (Surprisingly) I’m Keen on the New Jelly Belly Sport Beans”. […]
December 22nd, 2006 at 7:10 am[…] Why (Surprisingly) Im Keen on the New Jelly Belly Sport BeansAfter months of resistance - I finally gave in and tried the new Jelly Belly Sport Beans. I used them during training runs of varying lengths and then… […]
June 28th, 2007 at 12:25 pmre: Why (Surprisingly im keen on the new jelly belly sport beans)
I exercise every day and normally use a booster drink , but when i am out running i hate carrying a drink so these beans are brilliant.
September 4th, 2007 at 5:48 amThey taste so nice! and they give me the energy i need.
I found some new flavours and a local supplier on the net…www.totallyfit.co.uk. i think the jelly beans site has the new flavours also.
i would recommend them to anyone.
I am training for my first marathon and was wondering if I need to drink an electolyte drink with these beans or just plain water? Thanks!
April 8th, 2008 at 5:51 pm