edible energy
ATHLETIC FUEL
Local student produces gluten-free energy bar.
WRITTEN BY MARNIE MCARTHUR
PHOTOS BY CHRIS HOLLOMAN
E ntrepreneur Trevor DeRuisé has tons of energy, and he’s spreading it around. His company GetReal Nutrition promises to provide gluten-free energy bars and other products to outdoor enthusiasts in Reno and beyond.
| Entrepreneur Trevor DeRuise |
“It was a small dream since middle school,” says DeRuisé, who has big plans for GetReal Nutrition. He launched the company a year ago and describes it on the website as the “World’s First Gluten-Free Sports Nutrition Brand.”
DeRuisé is a gluten-intolerant athlete who races dirt bikes (as well as mountain bikes) and wins in the Pro Lite class. Now a University of Nevada, Reno nutrition major, he developed gluten-free bars in his home kitchen while still in middle school. The commercial product is produced at Haven on Earth, a gluten-free Reno bakery that helps the fledgling business.
GetReal Nutrition is a one-man show, supported by fellow UNR sophomore Will Arndt who does research for the company.
“I want to help,” he tells DeRuisé. “Anything you need.”
Long-range plans include developing an entire sports nutrition line that will be different from products created by big companies in the industry.
“I want to have the validity of these companies but with different products, more than just bars, drinks, and gels,” DeRuisé says.
Is he worried the big guys might jump on the gluten-free bandwagon? Not really.
“You need a special facility to produce gluten-free (products),” he says.
The tasty bars are available in bike shops, other locations in Washoe County, and on the website. This summer he will introduce an athletically enhanced, gluten-free baking mix called RaceQuick.
DeRuisé’s energy extends beyond energy bars to mentoring kids in a youth development cycling program. Inspired by his mentor in racing, local mountain and road bike racer and Masters Champion Kyle Dixon, DeRuisé and GetReal Nutrition sponsor a mountain bike race team for kids ages 8 to 18, along with two Reno bike shops (High Sierra Cycling and Velo Reno). DeRuisé coaches the kids and the Reno Wheelmen cycling team provides race-entry fees.
For DeRuisé sports nutrition is key. He sees gluten free as his entry into the market.
“This is the industry I want to be in,” he says. “It’s what I love. I’ll be in the health, wellness, outdoor sports field forever!”
For details, visit www.Getrealco.com or at https://www.facebook.com/GetReal.Nutrition.
Marnie McArthur is a Reno freelance writer, as well as a lover of outdoor sports and healthy snacks on the trail, bike path, lake, and ski slopes.
