Review- ENERGYbits

When I first heard ENERGYbits, I was intrigued.  Little bits of algae that help keep your energy up in a healthy way?  Hmm.  Seemed too good to be true.

Luckily I was offered a sample of ENERGYbits.  They came in this adorable tin.

And apparently I forgot to take a picture of the actual bits, so I borrowed this from the website.

According to ENERGYbits, "ENERGYbits is a new Boston based sports nutrition company. Our “bits” are rapidly becoming the fuel of choice for athletes and people looking to lead active lifestyles. ENERGYbits have the highest concentration of protein in the world and deliver a steady stream of energy, all naturally and all without sugar, caffeine, chemicals or stomach distress. Even better, ENERGYbits are the only protein in the world that also contain natural antioxidants and Omega 3 which reduce muscle inflammation, iron which prevents fatigue, chlorophyll which builds the immune system and electrolytes which replenish mineral imbalances, all for just one calorie per tab. No other protein offers all this.

ENERGYbits are all natural too, because they are a food, not a supplement. They have just one ingredient - 100% organically grown spirulina algae. Algae has been used by Olympic athletes for over 50 years, but is still virtually unknown in the USA and Canada. We are the first company to bring algae to national attention as a high protein, high performance snack food for athletes and active consumers. "

Hmm...I was a little skeptical but decided to try it out.  The first time I tried was when I was running Expedition Everest.  And it was a good thing too!  I am a run/walker.  But the person I was running with runs without walk breaks. I had been wanting to try to run a whole 5k without stopping and thought this would be a perfect time since I had the bits.  About 20 minutes before the race, in the corral, I took about 20 bits with some water.

***WARNING: While you can chew the bits, I've been they advised they can turn your teeth green for a little bit.  So it's best to swallow them like pills.  They also have a little bit of a fishy smell, but it didn't bother me.***

Result--I ran the whole 5k!!!  I was sooo excited!

with Leann and Ashley (The Pavement Princess)

The next day I was thinking, was it really the bits or was it because I was feeling pressured?  (I told you I was skeptical.)  So the next weekend before my 5 mile run, I decided to take some again.  This time I took 24.  I took two bits at a time with some water.  But early on in the run, I knew it wasn't working.  My stomach just felt sloshy from all the pills and water in my stomach (24 pills and 12 gulps...I usually run with nothing in my stomach).

So then I really wasn't sure about the bits.  I decided to try one last time with the rest on my next 5 miler.  I think there were close to 25ish.  I decided to take 3 at a time to see if that helped.  And it did!  I felt wonderful for the whole run and it felt easy!  It had to be because of the bits.

And on my 5 milers since the bits are gone, I've definitely felt much more tired and the run is harder.  So I'm a believer--big time!  I will definitely be ordering some ENERGYbits.  The only downfall is the price--$115 for a bag of 1000 bits is pretty steep.

  Luckily there are some ENERGYbits ambassadors out there with promo codes and they have a sampling program!

So even though I was pretty skeptical at first, I'm sold!