Meal replacements are sold to athletes, body builders and gym nuts. They provide energy to keep blood sugar from going on a roller coaster ride, causing headache and fatigue. They also provide protein in a healthy form: a gel is much more healthy than eating, say, a lean piece of red meat.

These meal replacement gels provide a large amount of carbs or protein in a small package. Most gel packs are no bigger than the size of your palm. This fact makes them ideal for easy transportation and quick intake. The profit margin on these meal replacements is high so stocking them in your health and nutrition store is a wise idea. There are a few different kinds of meal replacements and gels to consider:

1. Slurping down energy gels provides a quick boost for athletes. They use them during training and in competitions to keep their energy at optimum levels.

2. Serve your body builders by offering gel meal replacement packets. These are very high in protein and are a better choice for protein intake than other sources of protein, like red meat and dairy.

3. Look into meal replacement powders. Also known as protein powders, they contain a large amount of protein to help body builders gain faster.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Stock the ever-popular sport energy gel

The most common type of gel used today is the energy gel. This stuff packs a punch and gives athletes the energy they need to perform, whether in speed or in endurance events. Body builders also use this gel before, during and after a workout to keep their sugar levels in check.

I recommend: Energize with high-carb individual gel packs from Feed The Machine, which stocks a variety of flavors to suit everyone. Carb-BOOM Energy Gel from Netrition is a low-sugar, high-carb gel made for endurance athletes. CLIF brand "energy shots" are popular among gym-goers; buy a box from Worldwide Sport Supply.

Provide electrolyte replenishment with high-sodium energy gels

When someone sweats, they are losing necessary electrolytes needed to fuel the body. The only electrolyte the American College of Sports Medicine recommends replacing during exercise is sodium. Long distance runners are the most vulnerable to the cramps and muscle shutdown from this, and these people will be your largest customer base as these packets are small enough for them to carry with them on a run.

I recommend: Crank Sports and PowerBar both offer high-sodium gels, boasting four times the sodium content of other energy gels.

Feature meal replacement gel products that are high in protein

High protein gels can be hard to come by for athletes. Only a few products feature high amounts of protein in a gel form. Stocking these items is sure to bring lots of revenue since these products are so hard to find.

I recommend: Try WhyAgel's protein gel that delivers 20 grams of protein per package. Running Warehouse sells Accel Gel, which consists of a 4:1 ratio of carbs to protein. This combination is great for building muscle as well as boosting energy.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Meal replacement paste is a bit different than a gel. A paste is thicker and is thus more satisfying. Some users say that it fills them up and sustains them for longer than gels do. Consider adding these to your inventory.