*I was sent some Energy Bytes to sample. I wasn't paid to review them and as usual have written exactly what I thought!*
I have a sweet tooth. In fact, I'd go as far as to say ALLLLL of my teeth are sweet. I can take or leave chocolate bars but pick-n-mix sweeties? YES PLEASE.
I use them for fuelling on long bike rides and as a treat in ultramarathons. There is definitely a place for energy gels, but when I'm doing long-distance, I want something that feels like a treat too.
Energy Bytes offered to send me some of their Energy Gummies to try. I would have liked to resist, but as they were not just sweeties but ENERGY sweeties, it felt silly not to give them a try. My fast-moving fingers typed back 'Yes please!” before I'd had a chance to consider.
I've tried all sorts of food in ultramarathons (I LOVE a long run) but pick'n'mix sweeties have been a constant fuel in pretty much every one I've run (and I've run 19 of them so far not including 30 mile+ training runs!). Pick'n'mix is easy to eat, bitesize, taste nice and cheers me up when I'm thinking about just how many miles I have left.
This meant that the Energy Bytes had a high bar to beat!
They sent me a few different flavours which was great so I could get an idea of what the gummies were like and which flavours would be most palatable for me in an event or long training run or ride.
Quick Overview:
I tried a few of the gummies before I tested them out in an event … just in case! They were softer than I expected. I thought they'd be more like cola bottle sweetie texture but they were softer than this. I do prefer slightly harder sweets, but the softer texture had the benefit of being easier to chew on the go.
They tasted good. Caffeinated products can be a bit hit and miss. Previous products I've tried have been quite bitter from the caffeine which can be quite off-putting and if you're 60 miles into a run, you want something that you can tolerate. I liked the fruit flavours – they didn't taste too artificial and they were slightly sour which is a big tick from me!
I didn't notice a 'crash' from the gummies which I sometimes notice from pick'n'mix. This could have been because I was rather more careful with the portions and timings whereas with pick'n'mix I just shovel it in. Or it could have been from the lower sugar content. Either way, it worked for me.
A big plus was not needing to stop for a cup of coffee. I'm not sure if this is habit or whether I really AM that addicted to coffee but it did mean I didn't feel like I had to.
Pros
- Texture – easy to eat while running or cycling hard as they are soft and don't have to chew much. (also a con!)
- Multiple flavours and I really liked that they're slightly sour – LOVE sour sweets!
- They come in packs of 15 gummies in a box but you also get mini resealable bags so can portion them according to what you're using them for and the portion size.
- They work within 10 minutes – quicker than waiting for the kettle to boil and waiting for the coffee to cool down!
- Didn't make me want to go to the loo!! (Sorry - TMI but important in an event!!)
- Very low sugar so don't get the 'crash' like you would from sweeties.
- Vegan.
- Easy dosage – a serving is 2 gummies which is 80mg of caffeine which is similar to an average (8oz) cup of coffee.
- Can easily stash gummies in a pocket when I run or train whereas that doesn't work quite so well with coffee. (You get damp!!)
- No coffee breath!!
Cons
- I prefer a slightly harder texture although the softer texture is easier to eat when working out hard.
- If you don't like sour sweets they might not be sweet enough for you.
- Limited flavours. (I've put this as a 'con' but I like all of these flavours!) Flavours: orange crush, wild strawberries, berry blast, atomic apple.
Overall
I really rate them. They satisfy my 'sweetie' cravings without the negatives and they're easy to carry and stash in a pocket, whether I'm running, cycling or heading to work. I haven't had any negative effects from them - which I have had from coffee and they[re very convenient. I'd probably be tempted to use them alongside my usual fuel rather than replacing it entirely as they're only 16 cals a gummy but as a supplement to my training fuel, they're a win.
Fancy giving them a try?

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