You probably know the feeling: You're out on a long hike, with your destination (and your next meal) still miles down the trail. When your stomach starts rumbling and your energy begins to fade, you long for something sweet that's substantial enough to keep you moving—and that you can eat while on the go. Now, imagine you could reach into your pack and grab a magic fix.

That's the concept behind a wave of energy gel and chewable products from Clif, PowerBar, GU, and even candy company Jelly Belly. Packaged as handy single servings, these products typically contain some combination of carbohydrates, electrolytes, and caffeine, and are available in a wide variety of flavors, from vanilla bean to margarita. Initially intended for endurance athletes like marathoners and triathletes, gels and chewables are catching on with a much wider audience. They are convenient, but for the average outdoorsperson, are they overkill?

Nancy Clark, a Boston-area sports nutritionist and author of Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook, thinks so. An avid runner, cyclist, and hiker, she has experimented with a variety of energy products. "Real food tastes much better and does the job just as well," she says. While energy products make sense for athletes who can't slow down to eat during intense endurance activities, she says, "during a hike, you'll likely be stopping to eat regular meals."

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Check out this recipe for making your own energy bar.

Nutrition or Marketing?
Because most energy products are made up of simple carbohydrates, they tend to be marketed as "easy to digest" and "fast-acting," meaning that they are rapidly absorbed into the body and converted into energy. However, the same effect would be achieved by eating a handful of conventional jelly beans, or—for those who enjoy a caffeine boost—drinking a can of Coca-Cola. "Even M&Ms are fast-acting," Clark says. Ease of digestion "depends on the person and what their body is used to," she adds. In other words, don't wait until the day of a major outing to try something new.

Designer Electrolytes
Gels and chewables are also advertised as good sources of electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, that help the body function. However, the need for electrolyte replacement during normal, low-impact activity is much less than for more extreme pursuits, so Clark says you're better off getting electrolytes from conventional foods. "You can get far more potassium from just eating an orange, plus it tastes better," she says. "You don't really want to live on engineered foods."

Better Balance
In the backcountry, the important thing isn't just quick energy, but sustained energy. Clark suggests some alternatives, such as Fig Newtons, dried or fresh fruits, or granola, to provide a better balance of nutrition than an energy supplement. For instance, unlike gels and chewables, granola contains both fiber and fats to help you feel fuller, longer—and keep your mind on the trail instead of your stomach.

Costly Calories
Another drawback to energy products is the expense. One gel can cost up to $3 for 100 calories. A single orange, containing the same number of calories, is a relative bargain. If sweets are what you're craving, a standard size Snickers bar provides more than 250 calories of not only sugar, but fiber and fat as well. With the consistency of Elmer's glue, gels also can be an acquired taste.

Of course, if you enjoy chewables and gels, there's nothing wrong with having them. They're all essentially the same formula—sugar and, sometimes, caffeine—and will survive in your cramped pack longer than a banana or orange. Their extended shelf life also makes them safe to stash in a first aid kit for use in an emergency.

The good news is that, no matter your preference, there's an option. If you enjoy these products and feel a benefit, they're quick and convenient. But if what you'd prefer is an orange or a banana or even a candy bar, these also provide fast, easy nutrition on the trail.