I think there are stages riders/racers go through with respect to fuelling on the bike.
1) water
2) gatorade/powerade w/some form of bar
3) ‘researched’ drink with a ‘researched’ bar or gel
4) actual food and meaningful drink
People generally stay at stage 3 until something bad happens. Often during a multi day event where one’s body categorically refuses gels and bars and harsh drinks in a decidedly unpleasant fashion. It happened to me and I’ve seen it happen to others; it is the antecedent to eating real food on the bike. It’s the proverbial rock bottom before going to rehab.
Not to say one shouldn’t have gels or bars, but generally they exist for short bursts, backup, or for a specific situation. I always have a few in the pockets for a long ride. But I also have mini-nutella-sandwiches and a banana or something. Dates, nuts, figs, whatever…
(To say nothing of the fact that you look like a bit of a gamer unwrapping mini wax-paper sandos on the long straight stretch).