I Drank Ketchup Packets on My Run, for Science

Even earlier than I sucked down my first ketchup packet of the exercise, I knew I had fallen for a dumb publicity stunt by Heinz. However as a Pittsburgher, I’m required to take Heinz ketchup severely. I can get the stuff to slip simply out of any glass bottle, I received’t eat Hunt’s, and I refuse to name Heinz Discipline by regardless of the hell its new title is. And so, additionally being a runner, I’m the proper goal marketplace for Heinz’s new gimmick: convincing athletes to make use of packets of ketchup as gas.

Heinz introduced in a video that they’re creating keystone-shaped operating routes in main cities, dropping the maps on operating apps like Strava and MapMyRun, to assist runners entry ketchup packets on the go. (The Heinz label is within the form of a keystone, in case you haven’t seen. Pennsylvania is the Keystone State. The native connection runs deep.) Within the video, they declare that runners swear by ketchup packets to gas on the go.

I’m a runner, and this was information to me. Not the thought of consuming bizarre issues whereas operating; it’s regular to hold sweet or gels for power on very lengthy runs, and in a marathon you may even be provided chips or Coke towards the tip. Ultramarathons will typically have much more selection within the snacks they provide; individuals who run greater than 26 miles find yourself with the weirdest cravings. So I requested an extremely runner I do know whether or not he’s ever used ketchup packets on the run, or if he is aware of anybody who has. The response was merely: “lol no approach.”

Why may ketchup make sense as operating gas?

If you’re operating, even at a reasonably sluggish tempo, your physique burns via a variety of carbohydrates. Many of those come from glycogen, a type of carb storage in your muscle groups. You may add extra carbs to the combination by consuming sugary or starchy meals earlier than or throughout your exercise. Runners who carb up are likely to really feel higher and run farther than those that don’t.

Fueling with carbs isn’t required for brief runs—say, an hour or much less. However in the event you’re operating 10 miles on the weekends, or coaching for a marathon or a half, you’ll undoubtedly get into the territory the place gels will help. Gels are essentially the most handy strategy to get simple carbs on the run; they’re packets that comprise a couple of tablespoons of a syrupy sludge (Gu is one appropriately named model) which you could simply slurp on the go.

We additionally lose sodium and different electrolytes via sweating, and a few gels comprise electrolytes as properly. Or you possibly can change your electrolytes by ingesting one thing like Gatorade or Tailwind. Marathoners (like our personal Meredith Dietz) will get their fueling technique right down to a science. For the very best efficiency, it’s really helpful to soak up 30 to 60 grams of carbs per hour; some athletes will purpose for much more. Salt substitute relies on how a lot you sweat.

The fact: Ketchup doesn’t make sense as operating gas

Ketchup prominently options corn syrup and salt, and it is available in handy little packets. So it’s principally a gel, proper? Let’s examine the numbers.

• One packet of Gu is 100 energy, with 22 grams of carbs and 50 milligrams of sodium.

• One packet of ketchup is 10 energy, with two grams of carbs and 90 milligrams of sodium. Oh.

To get the identical quantity of carbohydrate as a single packet of Gu (which you’re speculated to take each 45 minutes or so) you would wish 11 ketchup packets. This could, nevertheless, provide 990 milligrams of sodium.

For those who undergo, say, three Gus on a run, that might be 66 grams of carbs and 150 milligrams of sodium. For those who undergo 33 ketchup packets, you’d have the identical carb consumption with 2,970 milligrams of sodium. The really helpful every day allowance of sodium is 2,300 milligrams. Athletes can safely have extra sodium than the typical individual, since they’re sweating a lot of it out. However nonetheless … that’s loads.

I road-tested the ketchup packets

Undaunted by math or frequent sense, I got down to check how ketchup packets work in the true world. My unique plan was to do a protracted path run. However I used to be busy all day, and didn’t get an opportunity to exit till it was darkish, so I headed for a brief run at a well-lit native monitor. My husband had kindly picked up 20 ketchup packets for me from a retailer someplace; I stuffed 10 of them into the pockets of my leggings and, considerably reluctantly, headed out the door. “Have enjoyable!” he referred to as after me. I replied, merely: “I received’t.”

I’ve accomplished plenty of issues over time that one may name a foul thought. This undoubtedly ranks amongst them. After operating only one mile (in an try and work up an urge for food, since we runners will eat issues on the run that we might not contact in on a regular basis life) I finished to have a couple of packets.

“

Ketchup packets are too small, too salty, too acidic, and simply usually too gross to face in on your operating gas.

”

My proper facet pocket was filled with ketchup packets; my left had an empty ziploc baggie for the trash. It takes 11 ketchup packets to equal one gel, in spite of everything, in order that’s a variety of sticky little wrappers. I opened the primary, and down the hatch it went. Tangy, salty, candy. Positively a change from the standard cloying gels. I put the empty packet in my trash baggie. Bizarre, however effective.

However I used to be solely two grams of carbs in. I needed to have one other. And one other. And one other. After 4 packets I instructed myself I’d, uh, have the remaining later. I acquired again on the monitor feeling…properly, like an individual who has simply drunk 4 packets of ketchup. It was a heartburny feeling. I by no means have abdomen points with meals on the run, however I suppose there’s a primary time for the whole lot.

I didn’t eat the remaining later. I had had sufficient. Ketchup packets are too small, too salty, too acidic, and simply usually too gross to face in on your operating gas. However I’m a bit inquisitive about what it might be prefer to have simply one ketchup packet, late in a run, after you’ve already eaten a bunch of gels and also you’re craving one thing that has some taste, like actual meals. Would I think about taking a ketchup packet alongside an everyday gel? I in all probability would. And I might in all probability find yourself regretting that, too.