When should you eat Maurten Solid 225?
Just like many energy bars, Maurten Solid 225 is suitable for pre- and mid-exercise.
I recommend using the bar to top up carbohydrates before running shorter distances under two hours. Your digestive system probably wouldn’t have enough time to fully process solid foods mid-run to make a significant difference.
For ultramarathons and long-distance triathlons, the energy bar will provide sufficient energy.
As a post-workout recovery supplement, be sure to consume additional protein since Solid 225 only contains 2.6 g of protein per bar.
Conclusion and my personal takes
Maurten Solid 225 is a 60-gram (2.12 oz), oat-and-rice-based energy bar with 225 calories and 42.8 g of carbohydrates, of which 18.8 g is sugar. It also contains 260 mg of sodium, 3.6 g of fats, and 2.6 g of protein. The bar’s texture is easily chewable and maintains its form in different temperature conditions. Flavor-wise, it’s sub-par due to its overwhelming sweetness.
My takes:
For road running, particularly marathons or anything shorter, Maurten Solid 225 is not suitable as a mid-race fuel. However, packed with a boatload of calories and sugar, I can imagine it being a good fuel during ultra distances requiring much longer finishing times.
With that said, unless you’re super serious about endurance sports, I’m not sure this energy bar is necessary. Here’s why.
- First of all, Maurten Solid 225 should be reserved for race day. It’s expensive ($3 per bar) and tastes sub-par. However, it does deliver an abundance of energy on paper, so save it for important races.
- As a pre-race snack, I wouldn’t go with Maurten Solid 225, either. Solid foods should be consumed at least 2 hours before start time to allow your digestive system to process them. There’s no rush, so why not pick other carbohydrate-rich whole foods? Before you put your physical fitness and mental fortitude to the test, treat yourself to something that agrees with your taste buds.
- As a mid-race fuel for ultras, I still wouldn’t pick Maurten Solid 225. For these adventures, which could take anywhere from 5 to 30 hours (sometimes more), you want to prepare fuel supplements that lift your mood in those dark hours.
- Since energy gels are likely still the primary fuel, the solid foods you eat at aid stations or on the go should offer a nice change of pace. An energy bar that’s even sweeter than energy gels doesn’t sound like a good idea. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of energy bars out there that deliver sufficient carbohydrates and other micro- and macro-nutrients and taste way better.
- As an everyday snack, I definitely won’t go with Maurten Solid 225. That much added sugar plus that little dietary fiber plus a nutritional profile that no one would consider as well-rounded? I smell blood sugar troubles.
To be fair, Maurten clearly states that Solid 225 is designed with the needs of the elites in mind. It exists for performance, not as a health bar.
Flavor preference is highly subjective. If it’s your cup of tea and you are the type of athlete that wants to pack in as much carbohydrate as possible like a professional, Maurten Solid 225 undoubtedly contains all the body needs to kick ass on race day.