Why Do Bodybuilders Eat Gummy Bears? (during, before or after?)

Interesting title, right? Well, some of them do.

The title was popularized by Seth Feroce, an IFBB Pro Bodybuilder and owner of All American Roughneck and Axe & Sledge Supplements.

Seth has various stories about him lifting while eating Gummy Bears – but why?

Various other bodybuilders are known to eat gummy bears while or right before training to boost performance. That still doesn’t explain why these bodybuilders love to consume these children’s snacks during training while other bodybuilders choose to consume carbohydrate powders.

What are Gummy Bears?

Gummy Bears are perhaps one of the most well-known and beloved candy treats of all time.

Made from an elastic, chewy gelatin base and packed with sweet flavor, these delicious little treats have been a favorite among kids and adults alike for decades.

Whether you like them plain or prefer to add them to fun mixed drinks or other culinary creations, there is truly no wrong way to enjoy a delicious gummy bear.

These chewy, bite-sized treats have been delighting taste buds for decades with their sweet and tangy flavor. What makes these little morsels so crave-worthy? Some say that it’s the perfectly balanced combination of fruit flavors, while others claim that it’s their soft texture that keeps people coming back for more.

Whatever the reason may be, there is no doubt that Gummy Bears have earned a place in the hearts and stomachs of sweets lovers everywhere.

Whether you like them chewy or firm, loaded with fruity flavors or drenched in chocolate, there is a version of Gummy Bears to suit any craving.

But why can’t some bodybuilders do without gummy bears?

Do Bodybuilders Eat Gummy Bears?

Gummy bears digest pretty well, as they are mostly sugar and gelatine. This means eating them just before a workout or even during a workout.

We also know that eating fast-digesting carbs can be suitable for glycogen stores.

Bodybuilders are enormous humans and have tonnes of glycogen stores. The gummy bears can help fill those glycose stores efficiently before and during training. The other reason is that it just becomes part of the ritual. Some people enjoy having them as it is part of the process.

Why Do Bodybuilders Eat Gummies?

As you may have picked up by now, bodybuilders and even powerlifters are both fond of this little snack pre and intra workout. But why?

Let’s have a look at a list of advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Eating Gummy Bears Before a Workout

• They are a simple Carbohydrate source, which has been shown to aid in recovery and improve the anabolic response post-workout slightly.
• It’s just pure fun. Most guys will usually eat this pre or intra-workouts because they enjoy doing it. They mix well with pre-workout drinks, which become part of the training ritual.
• Technically, it keeps the hunger at bay. You shouldn’t be getting hungry while you train, but the gummies can keep you from getting hungry.

Disadvantages to Eating Gummy Bears Before a Workout

• They’re pure sugar. While some may claim this is great for digestion, let’s not make any excuses, they’re made of pure sugar and nothing else.

Are Gummy Bears Good for Building Muscle?

Gummy Bears mainly consist of sugar and gelatine, and thus they are relatively high in carbohydrates but not particularly high in protein. Protein is required to build muscle.

Gummy Bears on their own will not build muscle.

They contain very little protein on their own and will not put you in a positive nitrogen balance. When you combine a fast-digesting carbohydrate with good quality protein, it can help build muscle. You will still have to consume adequate amounts of calories to build muscle.

Is it Good to Eat Gummy Bears Before a Workout?

Usual pre-workout meals consist of lean proteins, fast-digesting carbohydrates, and very little fat. This is to make sure that the food can digest easily and in time for the workout.

Gummy Bears would be an excellent pre-workout snack when combined with a protein shake or even an essential amino supplement. You can consume this 60 minutes to 45 minutes before the training session.

They would also make part of an excellent intra-workout snack when combined with amino acids.

Is it OK to Eat Gummy Bears After a Workout?

The foods consumed after a workout will be similar to those consumed pre-workout. This means you will be opting to eat fast-digesting carbohydrates, lean proteins, and little to zero fats.

Yes, it is perfectly okay to eat Gummy Bears post-workout.

They are high in easily digestible carbohydrates, and to see the best results; you would combine these with a good quality protein source.

Why Do Bodybuilders Eat Haribo?

Haribo is a snack company that produces various chewable snacks that are very similar to or the same as Gummy Bears. They have a great variety of flavors and textures available.

Haribo’s sweets are all high in easily digestible sugars, making them an ideal food to eat right before or even during a workout. Bodybuilders do this to replenish their glycogen stores easily and rapidly.

Why Do Bodybuilders Eat Sweets Before a Competition?

Contest season is one of the most stressful times for a bodybuilder, as it will come with hours of training, extremely low calories, and the stress of steroid use.

Come show day, and the diet can change dramatically. To make the muscles as full and round as possible, bodybuilders will eat a lot of carbs and sweets to fill the glycogen stores to the brim.

Combined with low body fat, low water retention, and mature muscles, this combination will result in the best package the bodybuilder can give on that day.

Will Gummy Bears Make You Fat?

As any real fitness nut will tell you, the only way to gain fat on the body is through eating more calories than your body needs, being in a caloric surplus. This is the only way to gain fat.

Nothing about gummy bears on their own will make you gain fat. If you violently overeat them and put yourself into a caloric surplus, you will gain fat.

And no, the insulin response from eating sugar is not what is making you fat. Both protein and fats cause an increase in insulin levels in the body.

How Many Haribo’s Do I Take After a Workout?

Depending on how large you are and what your goals are, your diet would reflect that.

Someone who is larger will typically require more food to sustain their body weight and even more so to gain muscle mass.

You can easily 20% of your daily carbohydrates post-workout. How many of those you want to have come from Haribo sweets is up to you. Just make sure you combine them with a good quality protein source.

Why Do Bodybuilders Not Drink Water Before a Competition?

Doing a bodybuilding show is not easy, and it is not healthy either. It requires months of preparation, countless hours of training, even more doing cardio, and to some, using Steroids.

To get the best look on the day, bodybuilders will go to great extents to get their best physique.

Bodybuilders will not drink water because it will help them dehydrate, which would give their skin a drier and freakier look. This is advantageous because looking drier will allow for the greater presentation of the muscles, and the freak factor is advantageous when it comes to judging.

What is Peak Week Bodybuilding?

In various phases, bodybuilding can be hard to survive.

Trying to increase your body weight in the off-season is challenging because the amount of food is outrageously high, and of course, the hardest of all has to be peak week.

Peak week is the hardest of all the weeks for the bodybuilder, as it is the final week before the show. Peak week will include dehydrating yourself, emptying and refilling glycogen stores, and getting the spray tan for the competition.

Final Thoughts

Gummies have long been a favorite treat for kids, but did you know that they can also be a valuable asset for bodybuilders?

That’s right – gummy bears can be a good source of carbohydrates and protein which provide energy for athletes. They also help to prevent muscle cramps.

And can be eaten before, during, or after a workout.

That’s not all. Gummies are a great source of the amino acid L-glutamine, which is essential for muscle growth.

Finally, gummies are very low in fat, making them an ideal snack for bodybuilders who are trying to reduce their body fat percentage. So if you’re looking for a tasty and convenient way to help your muscles recover from workouts and grow bigger and stronger, be sure to add gummy bears to your diet.