NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITIONS FOR ENHANCING PERFORMANCE AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING SAME
A nutritional composition comprising a carbohydrate fraction comprising glucose and fructose in a ratio from about 3:1 to about 1:1, wherein: the powder nutritional composition is designed to be dissolved in water, a serving size of the nutritional composition is from about 1 to about 20 g, the carbohydrate fraction comprises at least 30% glucose and fructose, the carbohydrate fraction provides at least 50% of the energy of the nutritional composition; and the nutritional composition comprises an energy density from about 800 kJ/100 g to about 2200 kJ/100 g. The performance may be, for example, athletic, academic, or other performances requiring physical stamina and/or mental alertness.
1 . A nutritional composition comprising a carbohydrate fraction comprising glucose and fructose in a ratio from about 3:1 to about 1:1, wherein:
the powder nutritional composition is designed to be dissolved in water,
a serving size of the nutritional composition is from about 1 to about 20 g the carbohydrate fraction comprises at least 30% glucose and fructose,
the carbohydrate fraction provides at least 50% of the energy of the nutritional composition; and
the nutritional composition comprises an energy density from about 800 kJ/100 g to about 2200 kJ/100 g.
2 . The nutritional composition according to claim 1 , wherein the carbohydrate fraction comprises dextrose and/or maltodextrins.
3 . The nutritional composition according to claim 1 ,wherein the nutritional composition comprises less than 40 g protein per 100 g nutritional composition.
4 . The nutritional composition according to claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition comprises less than 20 g fat per 100 g nutritional composition.
5 . The nutritional composition according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one of:
At least one vitamin selected from the group consisting of vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B12, niacin, vitamin B6, folic acid, biotin, panthotenic acid, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, and combinations thereof;
at least one electrolyte or mineral selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and combinations thereof;
at least one amino acid selected from the group consisting of L-leucine, L-valine, L-isoleucine, and combinations thereof; and
at least one compound selected from the group consisting of aroma compounds, fiber, caffeine, guarana, acidifying agents, binding agents, gel building material, fruit, antioxidants, colorings agents, and combinations thereof.
6 . The nutritional composition according to claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition is a powder.
7 . The nutritional composition according to claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition is a liquid.
8 . A packaged food product comprising:
an outer package that is so constructed and arranged to house a plurality of inner packages, each inner package containing a nutritional composition, the nutritional composition selected from the group consisting of those claimed in claim 1 to claim 7 .
9 . The packaged food product according to claim 9 , wherein the outer package is manufactured from a material selected from the group consisting of paperboard, cardboard, plastic, metal and combinations thereof.
10 . The packaged food product according to claim 9 , wherein the plurality of inner packages comprises from about 5 to about 20 inner packages.
11 . The packaged food product according to claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of inner packages includes one serving size of the nutritional composition.
12 . A method for making a liquid nutritional composition, the method comprising the steps of:
dispensing a powdered nutritional composition from a first container into a second container, the powdered nutritional composition selected from a group consisting of those claimed in claim 1 to claim 6 ; and
combining the powdered nutritional composition in the container with a liquid to form a liquid nutritional composition.
13 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein the liquid is selected from the group consisting of water, fruit juice, and combinations thereof.
14 . The method according to claim 12 , further comprising the step of removing the single serving sized packet from an outer package.
15 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein the outer package is manufactured from a material selected from the group consisting of paperboard, cardboard, plastic, metal and combinations thereof.
16 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein the dispensing a powdered nutritional composition from a first container into a second container is emptying a powdered nutritional composition from a single serving sized packet into a container.
17 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein the first container is so constructed and arranged to contain multiple servings of the powdered nutritional composition.
18 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein the first container comprises a food grade coating on an interior surface.
19 . A method for improving performance in an individual in need of same, the method comprising the steps of:
administering the nutritional composition selected from the group consisting of those claimed in claim 1 to claim 7 , to the individual.
20 . The method according to claim 19 , wherein the performance is selected from the group consisting of athletic, academic, endurance, and combinations thereof.
21 . The method according to claim 19 , wherein the improving performance comprises providing sustained energy to muscles in an individual.
22 . The method according to claim 19 , wherein the improving performance comprises providing an adequate carbohydrate load to an individual in need of same.
23 . The method according to claim 22 , wherein the individual is an athlete.