Beneficial Eating for a Running Lifestyle

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Many amateur runners will find that certain foods and what time they ate will make their bodies react a certain way. Some people can eat or drink right before a run and be fine, whereas others have to wait a few hours after eating or drinking or they will experience painful cramps. Usually having a schedule of when you’re running will help you plan when you can eat based on your preferences. Running in the morning is beneficial because it will be before there is anything in your system. But if you are someone that needs a lot of hydration before working out, then running in the morning may not be the best time to run. Paying attention to what you eat can improve the way you run. For example, I never eat bananas or drink tea at any point during the day if I’m going to run because it greatly affects me. I can drink milkshakes or other foods and be fine.

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Water bottle filled with water, easy access for hydration. Photo Courtesy of Serenity Chavez

Before competitive running it is recommended to load up on carbohydrates. That means that runners should eat lots of pasta and watch what they eat in the days leading up to a race. After workouts, one should try and eat some protein which allows the muscles to build up and the body to grow. However, that doesn’t mean go and have a 12 ounce steak after a run. I like to eat a few tablespoons of peanut butter and that usually does the trick. There are many protein options though, from bars to shakes. Some of the best foods for runners in general are salmon, cherries, kale, soy, tomatoes, and of course, pasta.

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Peanut butter crackers, a perfect snack! Photo Courtesy of Serenity Chavez

Runners are constantly using energy so it’s important to keep eating. Many collegiate runners are required to have a certain amount of calories each day and it is usually more than the recommended two thousand. This is because these runners are running 80 miles a week and their body needs to constantly be refueled. Even people who aren’t running as much need to make sure that they eat enough. Vegetables and fruits are better to eat than the processed foods that some people buy, believing they are organic or have special properties. Vitamins and nutrients are important and you get a lot of nutrients from plants.

A way to make running easier is to listen to your body and make sure that you are eating correctly. Hydration is very important. If you figure out what you can and cannot eat before runs then you are on your way to becoming an advanced runner.