Call 'Em On It!

When out on a training run or ride, many of us have learned to depend on gels, chews, or jelly beans for fuel. They come in extremely handy when it comes to taking in carbohydrates, sodium, and potassium during those longs rides and runs.  These important nutrition elements are crucial in helping us feel good and energetic from start to finish. 

Last week when I was about to purchase a few gels at our local bike shop, I looked at the expiration date on the gels.  I was so disappointed and in disbelief when I saw that the "use by" date on the gel packaging was over two months ago! I immedately went to one of the workers at the bike shop and called him on it. Needless to say, he was embarrassed and tried to brush off that "oversight".

This is not a matter to take lightly. Any food item with an expiration date should not be taken into the body, because who knows what kind of situation you could be placed in.  Food that is beyond an expiration date can possibly make any individual sick and not feel good.  Beyond the expiration date, food can get terribly spoiled even in a gel form.

Be an advocate for yourself.  Look at those expiration or "use by" dates.  Let the store manager know if there are any nutritional supplements that are expired. Call him or her on it! Don't think that just because you are in a reputable sports store you are safe purchasing any "food item" there.  Look out for yourself and for everyone else who will be purchasing those same nutritional sport aids as you.  We would all be doing ourselves a big favor when we are looking for each other's health and making sure we all have a good run or ride!

******
What situation have you found yourself in looking at expired food items at a store?