Fuel For Fire Alternatives - Here's What Athletes Are Switching To
Nora FiermanIf you've been searching for Fuel for Fire lately and found a blank page where their website used to be, you're not alone. Fuel for Fire, the fruit and protein smoothie pouch brand that became a staple for endurance athletes, sports teams, and active families, has shut down. Their website is offline and product availability is drying up fast.
If you were a loyal Fuel for Fire customer, this one stings. Finding a real food fuel source that actually works takes time. You've been there: stomach testing products on long runs, figuring out what your body can handle mid-effort, finally landing on something that works. And now it's gone.
So what do you switch to?
We've put together an honest breakdown of the best alternatives for athletes who were fueling with Fuel for Fire, covering pre-workout fuel, recovery, and on-the-go real food options.
Also disclaimer, I'm biased because I built a smoothie pouch company (read the story), with the support of a registered dietitian, an macros targeted for athletes. Neve is different than Fuel For Fire in a few ways. Our texture is thicker, flavors are unique, ingredients intentionally picked for athletes, and the product was developed with a registered dietitian. We also have two flavors, each fits your nutrition strategy in a different way. Boysenberry Beet for sustained energy and Tart Cherry Cacao for recovery.
What Made Fuel for Fire Different (And What to Look For in an Alternative)
Fuel for Fire worked for athletes because of a few specific reasons:
- Real food ingredients. Fruit first.
- No refrigeration needed. It lived in your gym bag, pack, or car without issue.
- Squeezable pouch format. Easy to eat mid-effort without making a mess.
- Protein + carbs together. A balance that worked for both pre-workout fueling and post-workout recovery.
- Clean label. Simple ingredient list for athletes.
When you're looking for an alternative, these are the criteria that matter.
The Best Fuel for Fire Alternatives for Athletes
1. Neve Foods — Best Plant-Based Alternative for Endurance Athletes
Best for: Trail running, cycling, skiing, hiking, any endurance sport where you need sustained fuel without gut issues.
Neve is a plant-based smoothie pouch made specifically for endurance athletes. Founded by a competitive endurance athlete in Vail, Colorado (me!) and developed with a registered dietitian, Neve was built to solve the exact problem Fuel for Fire addressed: real food that you can actually eat before, during, or after activity without your stomach rebelling.
Why it's the closest alternative:
- Same squeezable pouch format - no mess, no utensils, fits in a jersey pocket or pack
- No refrigeration needed
- Real fruit ingredients, no artificial anything
- 4.95 stars from 100+ verified reviews
- Completely plant-based and vegan (unlike Fuel for Fire's original whey-based line)
- Developed with a registered dietitian
The key difference: Neve is 100% plant-based where Fuel for Fire's original line used whey protein. If you were using Fuel for Fire's vegan line specifically, Neve is your closest match. If you relied on the whey protein, Neve still delivers real food carbs and electrolytes, it's just not protein-forward in the same way.
Our texture is thicker, flavors more unique, ingredients intentionally picked for athletes, and the product was developed with a registered dietitian. We also have two flavors, each fits your nutrition strategy in a different way.
Two flavors: Boysenberry Beet (pre-workout, sustained energy) and Tart Cherry Cacao (recovery, anti-inflammatory).
2. Huma Gel — Best Direct Gel Alternative
Best for: Runners and cyclists who need fast carbs during effort.
Huma is a fruit-based gel that uses chia seeds for a more natural texture than traditional gels. It's closer to a gel than a smoothie pouch, but uses real fruit and is gentler on the stomach than most synthetic gel options. Caution though, chia does have fiber which is not ideal for race day or long training days.
The difference from Fuel for Fire: Huma is designed for mid-effort fueling specifically, not recovery. Less protein, more fast carbs. Good option if you were using Fuel for Fire primarily during activity.
3. Muir Energy — Best for Long Endurance Days
Best for: Ultra runners, backpackers, long days in the mountains.
Muir Energy makes real food energy gels with ingredients like dates, nut butters, and fruit. Higher calorie density than most options, which makes them better for very long efforts where you need more than simple carbs.
The difference from Fuel for Fire: More calorie-dense, less protein-focused. Good for all-day efforts, less ideal for post-workout recovery. Thick texture for a gel.
4. Skratch Labs Anytime Energy Bar — Best Real Food Solid Alternative
Best for: Athletes who prefer chewing their fuel, anyone wanting a Fuel for Fire replacement for everyday active snacking.
Skratch Labs makes minimally processed energy bars and hydration products. Their "anytime" bars use real food ingredients and are designed for both training and everyday nutrition.
The difference: It's a bar, not a pouch. Different format but similar real-food philosophy.
Why We Recommend Neve for Most Fuel for Fire Customers
The honest answer is that Neve is the closest product to what Fuel for Fire built. A real food, squeezable pouch designed specifically for athletes. The format is identical. The philosophy is the same. The ingredient standards are the same (but Neve's are more fun 😉).
The plant-based formulation is actually an advantage for athletes who experienced any digestive issues with the whey-based Fuel for Fire products. Plant-based carbs and electrolytes are typically easier to digest during high-intensity activity than dairy-derived protein.
And the 4.95 star rating from athletes who have tested it across trail runs, bike rides, ski tours, and strength sessions speaks for itself.
The Bottom Line
Fuel for Fire closing leaves a real gap in the market for athletes who want real food in a portable pouch format. The good news is that Neve fills that gap almost exactly. Same format, same real-food philosophy, same dedication to athlete nutrition, now with a fully plant-based formulation and two flavors designed specifically for pre-workout energy and post-workout recovery.
If you were a Fuel for Fire loyalist, give Neve a shot. We have a $9 trial pack and a variety pack so you can test things out first!
Neve Foods is a plant-based sports nutrition brand founded by an endurance athlete in Vail, Colorado. Developed with a registered dietitian and tested across trail runs, ski tours, and bike races at altitude.