Near 1:1 glucose-to-fructose ratio for fast absorption
Only 2 whole-food ingredients (Original)
No maltodextrin, no artificial anything
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Salty Dates is a whole-food energy gel with 500mg sodium -- real energy and real electrolytes in one packet. Most gels give you 100mg sodium and a lab-made ingredient list, then make you buy a separate electrolyte.
Organic date syrup delivers a near 1:1 glucose-to-fructose ratio for fast, steady absorption -- plus naturally occurring potassium and magnesium. Mineral-rich sea salt adds 500mg sodium with 90+ trace minerals. Just ingredients humans have fueled on for thousands of years
Energy gel for people who read the ingredients.
Ingredients
Original: Organic Dates (Date Syrup) and Solar-Dehydrated Sea Salt
Date syrup delivers free glucose and fructose through dual intestinal transporters (SGLT1 and GLUT5), maximizing carbohydrate absorption while minimizing gut distress. Each gel provides 500mg sodium, 210mg potassium, and 35mg magnesium from whole-food sources. Read the peer-reviewed research →
Most energy gels need 10-15 ingredients to deliver what dates and sea salt do naturally -- fast energy, 500mg sodium, and the minerals you lose in sweat. No maltodextrin, no artificial anything, no separate electrolyte product. Just whole food doing what it's done for thousands of years.
Our Promise To You
No Maltodextrin
No Artificial Ingredients
No Refined Sugars
No Synthetic Electrolytes
No Preservatives
Ancient Fuel
Date syrup — known as d'vash -- has fueled humans across the Middle East and North Africa for thousands of years. The naturally occurring sugar profile delivers a near 1:1 glucose-to-fructose ratio, which research shows maximizes carbohydrate absorption and minimizes gut distress. Nature's energy gel, long before anyone invented maltodextrin.
When you sweat, you don't just lose sodium — you lose potassium, magnesium, calcium, and more. Each gel delivers 500mg sodium from Baja Gold sea salt, plus 210mg potassium, 35mg magnesium, and 20mg calcium from the combination of dates and sea salt. Two whole foods delivering the full electrolyte profile that most gels need separate supplements to match.
Most brands sell you an energy gel and a separate electrolyte product. Different packets, different purchases, different ingredient lists.
Salty Dates is both -- real fuel and real electrolytes in one packet, from 2 ingredients. Less to carry, less to buy, less to think about.
How We Compare
Real ingredients vs. the typical energy gel
Feature
Salty Dates
A Typical Energy Gel
Ingredients
2 whole foods
10–17 ingredients
Sodium
500 mg
20–125 mg
Potassium
210 mg
0–40 mg
Magnesium
35 mg
0 mg
Trace Minerals
✓ 90+ naturally occurring
✗ None
Maltodextrin
✓ Free
✗ Primary carb source
Separate electrolyte needed?
✓ No — built in
✗ Yes
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use Salty Dates?
Two ways: tear the top and squeeze it straight into your mouth, or squeeze a packet into a water bottle and shake it up to make an energy and electrolyte drink. Use 1-2 gels per hour during intense exercise — Salty Dates is designed for sweaty efforts lasting longer than an hour. Start fueling early rather than waiting until you feel depleted.
How does Salty Dates absorb during exercise?
Date syrup delivers free glucose and fructose — not bound in fiber like whole dates. These simple sugars absorb through both the SGLT1 and GLUT5 intestinal transporters, the same dual-transporter mechanism used in modern sports nutrition research to maximize carbohydrate uptake. The approximately 1:1 glucose-to-fructose ratio in date syrup naturally activates both pathways.
What is the texture of Salty Dates energy gel?
Salty Dates has a liquid, pourable consistency — thinner and runnier than most energy gels on the market. Date syrup is not whole dates. The fiber is largely removed during processing, resulting in a smooth, thin liquid with no thickeners, gelling agents, or gums added.
How many carbs are in Salty Dates and how carb-dense is it?
23 grams of carbohydrates per 31-gram packet (Original) and 22 grams per 33-gram packet (Chocolate) — roughly 74% carbohydrate by weight. This makes Salty Dates one of the most carb-dense energy gels available. All carbohydrates come from a single whole-food source: date syrup.
How much sodium is in one Salty Dates gel?
500 milligrams of sodium per gel from sea salt. This is significantly higher than most energy gels, which typically contain 50 to 150 milligrams. The built-in electrolytes can reduce or eliminate the need for separate sodium supplements during endurance events.
How much potassium and magnesium is in each gel?
Each Original gel contains 210mg potassium and 35mg magnesium. Each Chocolate gel contains 250mg potassium and 50mg magnesium (the cacao adds extra minerals). Plus 20mg calcium and trace amounts of iron in both. All minerals occur naturally in the date syrup and sea salt — nothing is added or fortified.
I've been holding off on a review until I was able to try these on a long run, where I would need to down 4-5 of them. I'm a heavy sweater, so the high salt content works for me. I use it with straight water. It's easy on my stomach. The taste is, well...salty. I put them down fast with a couple swigs of water. So far, so good. I plan to use them for my fall Marathon.
The formula is unmatched - great work!! I'd like to see the packaging improved as bit. Could you softly taper the top? The top of the rectangle doesn't fit well in my mouth and was harsh at the edge. I attached a photo of how I trimmed it after my first pack and this worked much better. Thanks again for creating such a great formula - I've been telling my whole run club. If you could send us a few samples, that would be great too!!
This stuff is different. I’m used to the other gels out there and one taste of this one and you can tell it’s made differently. Drew really cares about his product. I used this as my primary fuel for my first 50 mile foot race and it was great!
could not love these more! it drives me crazy that the world of sports fueling is nothing but junk! you work hard to train right, but then fuel with processed garbage...SO refreshing to have a product like this! as a recent cancer survivor, it's mission critical for me to use clean, whole products so this is a game changer! i love both the original and the chocolate. they are an absolute treat and easy to digest. i am training hard for the leadville 100 mtb and i will have these with me on every single training ride!
Store owner replied:
Jessica!!! Thank you for such positive & inspiring review! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the gels and so excited for you to crush the Leadville 100 mtb!
-Drew
I love Tidlos gels and the protein powder. They are simply amazing.
Running Liberty Park, SLC, yesterday and came across a table of two handing out water and energy gels. I’ve been searching for ways to fuel myself for runs that is healthy and effective. I stopped and picked one up and continued running while looking at the ingredients and knew I found a gem. The next day, I planned a run and downed one before running 7.5 miles at a decent pace. Not once did I feel tired or thirsty. I got good electrolytes and a healthy source of energy from these packs. Drew and his wife are insanely friendly and I’ll give them a good review any day of the week. Highly recommended!
I’m a salty sweater and have run a few marathons. Nutrition, particularly electrolytes, is my Achilles heel. I’m training for a PB (sub-3:30) marathon at Marine Corps. I want to run with just gels. I don’t want to take separate salt or drink mixes, I just want to hit a gel and run. Please do your own sweat test but if you get white streaks after running, there’s a good chance these are what you’re looking for. They taste good and aren’t too gel-ly. They definitely taste sweet and salty, hardly surprising. I’ve just ordered more for my long runs.
Im training for the Chicago Marathon in October. During training ive been using salty dates around mile 6. Man, do I get the energy after! Its unbelievable how I feel. I love that it just has salt and dates as I dont like the taste of the Gu or any other gels ive tried. So glad I found this company!
Really like these energy gels. The taste is great, and what I like most is the simple ingredients, only two ingredients and no unnecessary additives. Easy to take and a great natural energy boost. I’ll definitely order them again!
It was pretty good & satifies a salty craving. Didn't leave an aftertaste. Will definitely purchase again, but the Chocolate is the best. I feel like a little vanilla paste/bean would elevate this flavor.
To be honest, I was a little skeptical of the saltines before I tried it and oh wow! I loved it. It’s a different flavor profile than a lot of the gels that I’ve been taking and the salt really helps switch it up. The only thing I wish is that they had a version with caffeine! Will definitely buy again. This is a marathon gel for sure!
The taste is so salty that it makes me really thirsty! But I appreciate this is because of high sodium content in order not to need extra electrolytes. I love how clean the product is in its ingredients.
Hi,
I wanted to say that I really like the concept. I'm a salty sweat guy and I was excited for the clean carbs and the salt. I use at least 900-1000mg in my drinks when exercising so I'm used to salty taste. However, this was too salty even for me. I went into it really excited but I did not enjoy the taste at all. It was too salty. I think you have the right idea about the product and maybe it fits some folks but I would much rather if it were less salty in taste.
I like the consistency - it is smooth and easy to swallow while on the run. The chocolate date just tastes so indulgent. Love that it’s only 2 or 3 ingredients, dependingon the flavor.
Store owner replied:
CARA!!! Thank you for taking the time to write such a kind review -- I'm glad you're enjoying the gels!!
Very good! More salty than expected, but that's my own fault for not comprehending 500mg. Excellent gel though! I would like a tapered top for easier eating on the run without hurting the sides of my mouth.
Store owner replied:
Hahaha yes they're salty -- on purpose!
They'll taste salty when you take them, but try squeezing them into a water bottle and shake it up to make an electrolyte drink they'll taste less salty and be great for retaining fluids! This is my favorite way to take the original :)
On the packaging -- I totally agree -- I need a more expensive machine to be able to make the bottle shapes, but am working on figuring out an interim solution while I save up for it :)
Thanks for taking the time to write such a kind review!!
-Drew
Definitely love the flavor, sweet and salty, but the packaging is difficult for me to open and eat while on the bike. The edges are pretty sharp and can cut the insides of the cheek on each side near the lips. Would be nice if there was a tapered top, but that won’t stop me from using them again. Also, would love a larger amount per gel, like 40 grams as I eat upwards of 100 grams per hour.
Store owner replied:
DAVID! Thank you for taking the time to write such a kind and helpful review. The edges of the packaging is something I'm working on -- I totally agree. I need a new machine to get the bottle shapes, but trying to work out an interim solution before I can afford it :)
Really love the product!
I packed these for a 40 mile, 13.5hr hike.
With temperatures from 40-60F I didn't end up sweating as much as expected. Even so, 4 gels were enough to get me through without having to add any extra electrolyte drinks to the mix. I had both flavors, but original is my favorite.
Make sure to chase a gel with plenty of water. I had a touch of heartburn until the gel was properly saturated.
Store owner replied:
ADAM! Thanks for taking the time to write such a helpful review! 100% take the gels with water -- they're salty, but also they will help retain the liquid and keep your blood volume up :)
I have been using energy gels for a quick boost on long hikes. I was especially pleased to find tidlos because it doesn’t have all the extra junky stuff in it. I tried it and love it. Tastes great and I get that little boost from natural ingredients. This is hard to beat.
Store owner replied:
Jenny!!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a kind review. I’m so glad you found us and are enjoying the gels!
-Drew
The packet was easy to open on the run, and it was salty deliciousness. I liked it a lot more than expected! Also, no GI issues afterwards. I will keep practicing with your product as I build my weekend long runs. Thank you for making a clean and effective product!
Store owner replied:
Shannon!!!
Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to write me a review! I’m So glad the gels are working out for you!!
-Drew
I love these gels so much that I am writing another review just about two weeks after my last one. These are the best electrolyte gels I've ever used. My daughter, a runner in college, feels the same.
Store owner replied:
Steven!!!!
You’re the best! Thank you so much for taking the time to write me such a kind review! I’m so glad both you and your daughter are enjoying them!!
-Drew
I am sorry but the product simply does not taste good. I was very hopefully it would be something that would work but I tried both flavors, and quite frankly, spit them both out and threw away all the rest of the packages.
These are truly a wonderful product and legitimately taste amazing. I prefer these slightly more than the original, but that’s because I’m a chocolate fan. I have now used these a couple of times in my long runs and have not upset my stomach, and they provide the much needed energy.