Veloforte Energy Gel: natural nectar that’s easy on the stomach

Veloforte’s natural ingredients are easier to stomach than synthetic gels and can be added to water for an instant energy drink.

Almost as important as picking the right running shoe is choosing the best running gel. If you can’t stomach gloopy gels, Veloforte’s all-natural ‘nectars’ offer a completely different take on energy replenishment. They use simple, natural ingredients and are designed to be easier to swallow, fresher on the palate and lighter on the gut.  On paper, that sounds great. But how does the idea fare in practice? I decided to find out.

Each compact 33g pouch of Veloforte energy gel packs a pretty standard 22g hit of carbs, along with added electrolytes to support hydration. You’d need three of these to meet that 60g carbs per hour recommended for most people. So, if you’re going to be consuming multiple, they need to be at least somewhat pleasant.

Veloforte energy gel consistency

If you’re used to regular gels, Veloforte’s almost-liquid consistency can take a bit of getting used to. It’s more like a syrup than a gel. It slips down more easily without water than thicker gels. However, the runny, cordial-like style of some flavors has a sweetness that leaves you wanting a drink to wash them down. 

The flipside to having a syrup rather than a thicker gel is that you can add this to water and make a carb drink, which is perfect if you want added energy in your drinks bottle.  

What do Veloforte energy gels taste like?

The all-natural flavors are interesting too, with interesting combinations like beetroot and lemon, cherry and guarana, and blackcurrant and elderflower. In testing, some of these took me a little while to get used to, but they’re a welcome antidote to the chemical faux flavors of many gels. The date, lime and ginger is a personal favorite of mine: sweet but fresh and zingy. The beetroot, however, was a bit more challenging. 

When I needed to take more than three or four gels in a single session, I found the Veloforte Energy Gels worked best when used every second or third gel, as a change of pace from other flavors. 

Other notable ingredients

In addition to the 22g of carbohydrates I mentioned earlier, all of Veloforte’s gels have added electrolytes. Plus, there’s two caffeine options with 75mg of slow-acting caffeine from guarana for an extra mental energy boost. So, not only will these gels fuel you, they’ll also keep you more alert and motivated.

What other running gels should I consider?

As you’ve read up to this point, the Veloforte running gels are a good option with their own unique selling points. However, before you stash a bunch into your running short pockets, it’s worth considering what else is out there.

For me, the stand-out running gel is Precision Fuel’s PF30. Of all the running gels I’ve tested, this one has one of the most impressive energy-to-weight ratios: 30g of carbs in just a 51g sachet. I find them to be just as easy on the stomach as Veloforte’s gels, though the flavoring is considerably more neutral. On one hand that’s a positive as it means that PF30 gels are very inoffensive to consume, but if you are looking for more of a punchy taste, you’ll be left disappointed.

Speaking of taste, Vala Energy gels are a real treat. Well, so long as you like the taste of dates, as date paste is a core ingredient. If you do though, these are a great option. Admittedly, they are a tad expensive, but with 24g of carbs and a flavor that’ll leave you craving more, it wouldn’t be hard to justify the cost.