Essentials of Nutrition for Sports

Endurox R4 chief selling point is its protein to carbohydrate ratio
of 1:4, and a few other nutrients thrown in.

As discussed above, whether the protein or other nutrients have

any value is debatable. Suppose you still think they may be helpful.

Consider how it compares to the more widely available Ultra

Slim Fast:

Selected nutritional content of

these two products is shown in

Table 29

.

Ultra Slim Fast has roughly the same 1:4 carbohydrate to protein

ratio, and contains a more complete

array of vitamin and minerals.

Some would argue that it more convenient, coming premixed as

it does, and that it is tastier. It costs about half as much as Endurox R4.

Fig Bars, Fat-free Milk

P&J, Fat-free Milk

Serving

2 fig bars, 12 ounces milk

½ peanut butter and jam sandwich, 8 ounces fat-free milk

Total Cal

285

295

Carbohydrate

190-210

156

Protein

65

64

Fat

0-20

72

Sodium

235

425

Cost

$ 0.65

$ 0.65

Table 30. Fig bars and milk; peanut-butter and jam sandwich and milk; selected nutritional content.

Or consider two other “real food” alternatives—readily

available, tasty, and one-third the price: two fig bars with 12 ounces

of fat-free milk; or, with more fat calories, half a peanut-butter and jam sandwich with 8 ounces of fat-free milk.

Selected nutritional content of these products is shown in

Table

30

. As you can see, for about one-third the cost, there are nutritious
alternatives.

Finally, perhaps you think that the perfect recovery product has

mostly carbs, and 10% to 15% protein and fat. A product that is tasty and not too expensive, one-third the price of Endurox R4?

Check out the listing for Häagen Dazs low-fat ice cream in

Table

31

.^

Ice Cream, Häagen Dazs

Serving

4 ounces

Total Cal

170

Carbohydrate

125

Protein

20

Fat

25

Sodium

95

Cost

$ 0.75

Table 31. Häagen Dazs ice cream selected nutritional content.

Summary

Endurox R4 is promoted as a recovery drink. Its caloric profile

would be expected to play an important part in recovery. It contains no proven ingredients beyond the calories it contains.

Nutrition for Sports, Essentials of 159