Abstract: A nutritional composition in gel form containing carbohydrates, electrolytes, anti-oxidants, vitamins and amino acids for increasing available energy during exercise, for replenishing electrolytes that are depleted during exercise, for promoting fluid retention during exercise, for preventing hyponatremia during exercise and for facilitating intestinal reabsorption of fluids during exercise. The primary electrolyte ion is sodium (Na.sup.+) compounds is in an amount such that the sodium content of the gel is in a ratio in the range of 0.4 to 1.2 parts of the sodium to 100.0 parts of the carbohydrates.