Why Peak Punk sports nutrition scores highly with me
21.2.2024
Translation: machine translated
Endurance athletes know and fear it: the hunger pangs. The carbohydrate reserves in the muscles and liver are exhausted. Suddenly nothing works anymore. To avoid this low, I tested sports nutrition from the Swiss brand Peak Punk. My conclusion: Peak Punk scored highly with me.
The first time I was given a Peak Punk energy bar by my running coach, I immediately liked two things: firstly, the slogan "No bullshit inside". Secondly, the fact that Peak Punk is vegan and gluten-free and contains no palm oil. As I suffer from coeliac disease, I can only eat gluten-free. In simple terms, coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic intestinal inflammation due to the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in cereals. Gluten-free sports bars are few and far between. So I was all the more pleased that the Peak Punk bars are one of them.
Good flavour, no artificial sweeteners and well tolerated
A look at the ingredients list shows me gluten-free rolled oats, cocoa mass, dates, green tea extract, cashews, almonds and agave syrup. All natural and - as my personal taste test revealed - delicious to boot.
In the meantime, I have tried the entire range of bars and am very impressed by the team's willingness to experiment. The selection ranges from "Crunchy Coffee" to "Raspberry Crisp" and "Coconut". And new flavours are constantly being added, some of which remind me of a delicious piece of cake and others of daring baking experiments. "Blueberry Muffin" and "Almond Lemon" with almonds, lemon and mate are my current favourites.
Different bars with nutrients tailored to sport
Welcome variations can be found in the ingredients: The energy bars consist of a mixture of dates or other dried fruits and nuts. "Oat Flapjacks" rely on gluten-free oat flakes as a longer-lasting source of energy. Protein bars contain extra rice and pea proteins. This allows you to choose whether you need quickly available carbohydrates or additional protein, depending on your training goal and the time of day.
I think it's important that bars provide the necessary energy and don't cause any gastrointestinal problems. After all, anyone who jogs, cycles, paddles or does any other sport for several hours is probably familiar with hunger pangs. One minute you're travelling at full throttle and the next minute you can't go any further. You feel tired, weak and sometimes shaky and dizzy as well.
Source: Siri Schubert
You can prevent this by eating regularly during sport. Ideally, you should eat 30 to 60 grams of carbohydrates per hour. Real pros consume 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour; ultra runners consume up to 120 grams per hour.
While some of the calories are consumed in the form of sports drinks and gels, proper nutrition in between is helpful. A Peak Punk "Blueberry Muffin" bar, for example, provides 28 grams of carbohydrates. And fills my stomach so that it doesn't grumble. It's often sugar alcohols or other artificial sweeteners that give my digestion a hard time. As Peak Punk does without them, it also keeps my gut calm.
I now almost always have Peak Punk bars with me. Not just for sport. Because even when I fall into an energy slump at work, the bars help me get out of it. And thanks to the natural ingredients, I know that I'm not unnecessarily burdening myself with artificial sweeteners or preservatives.
Electrolytes and protein complete the range
Since I liked the bars, I also tried the electrolyte drink. Full marks here too: not too sweet, nice and refreshing, with sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium and chloride. As other electrolyte drinks have given me bad stomach cramps, I appreciate how well this sports drink is tolerated. I now almost always have the electrolyte drink with me on longer runs or bike tours and enjoy the refreshing and unobtrusive orange flavour.
The vegan protein powder shows how consistently Peak Punk implements the philosophy of natural ingredients. The main ingredient is sunflower protein. I can taste that too. The Peak Punk protein powder is nowhere near as sweet as other vegan protein powders and doesn't leave an artificial aftertaste. However, I find the "Crazy Berry" flavour a little too bland when mixed with water alone, so I mix it with plant milk, stir it into my muesli or blend it with frozen berries to make a smoothie.
Peak Punk is also consistent when it comes to drinking bottles
According to the manufacturer, the bidons are "bio-based, made from sugar cane, BPA-free, recyclable and produced in the EU with a reduced carbon footprint". Apart from that, they are beautiful and practical. So beautiful that my first bottle ended up more and more often in the bottle cage on my husband's bike. I've since ordered another one for myself, after all, we're often out and about together.
In a nutshell
Natural sports nutrition that tastes good
Peak Punk uses natural ingredients as much as possible and offers gluten-free, vegan sports nutrition. I appreciate the good tolerability and the taste, with no artificial flavour sticking to the tongue. The fact that Peak Punk produces its sports nutrition in Europe, more precisely in Switzerland, Austria and the Czech Republic, thus keeping transport routes short, is another plus.
A clear recommendation for athletes who pay attention to their diet and want to rely on practical energy sources such as bars and electrolyte drinks during sport.
Pro
- No artificial flavour
- Compatible
- Largely natural
Header image: Siri Schubert
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
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