Healthy Eating for Runners - Well Guides

Food powers your runs. The right kind of fuel will help your run strong, while the wrong fuel can hold you back.

Muscle cells have two primary sources of fuel: sugar and fat.

1. Sugar: Dietary carbohydrates are broken down into simple glucose - a form of sugar. The glucose not immediately used is stored as glycogen in the muscles and liver for later use.
2. Fat: Stored body fat is an excellent fuel source during endurance exercise. Running regularly enables your body to use fat as fuel.

• What they do: Carbs are like "jet fuel for muscles." Your body breaks down carbohydrates to make glucose that is burned to move you.
• Why you need it: Simple carbs like fruit, sports drinks, goos and gels give immediate energy. But your body can't absorb all the carbs at once; that's why long-distance runners also take in complex carbs such as pasta, oatmeal, potatoes and cereals.
• How much is enough: Endurance athletes should aim for 60 to 65 per cent of their calories from carbs.

• What it does: Stored body fat is a source of energy for endurance exercise. Dietary fat helps your body to absorb vitamins.
• Why you need it: Fat is a backup source of fuel for when you run out of carbs.
• When to eat it: Anytime, but a fat-rich meal is not quickly converted to fuel, so it is not best right before a run.
• Where to find it: Eat a mix of fats: saturated fats found in butter, red meat, dark meat chicken. Polyunsaturated fats found in seed, fish and avocado. Monosaturated fats found in olive oil, avocados and some nuts.

• What it does: Protein is a muscle builder or re-builder, not a fuel source.
• Why you need it: Your muscles break down as you run, and protein helps to build it up again.
• How much is enough: Women should eat 20-25 grams three times a day, while men should eat 25 - 30 grams per meal.
• When to eat it: Eat protein within 20 minutes after a workout.
• Where to find it: Fish, chicken, beef, beans, pork, dairy, eggs, quinoa, soy, barley, and protein powder.

• What it does: Fruits and vegetables are other forms of carbohydrates and contain vitamins and minerals.
• Why you need it: Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties seem to help ease muscle soreness and limit injuries.
• When to eat it: Anytime.
• Good sources: The best anti-inflammatory sources are berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries), stone fruits (peaches, plums, cherries, and vegetables (kale, sweet potatoes, red bell peppers.)

• Before a run: For runs under an hour, don't worry too much much about what you eat beforehand. For long runs, eating easily digestible carbohydrates in the hour before exercise helps to work out longer.
• During a run: A bottle of water is sufficient for a run shorter than 45 minutes. For a longer run, carbohydrates and fluids are necessary, such as sports gels or a banana. Try to eat or drink every four miles.
• After a run: Eat immediately after an intense or long run, such as chocolate milk, whole-fat yoghurt and fruit, a smoothie, or a peanut butter and banana sandwich.

• Water: Drink when you are thirsty.
• If you are concerned you are not drinking enough, check your sweat rate. Weigh yourself before and after a long run. The difference will determine how much weight you lost in fluid.
• Too much water: Drinking too much fluid can be harmful. Hyponatremia happens when someone drinks too much liquid that their body can't get rid of through sweat or urination. In some instances, this can be fatal.

• Myth: You will lose weight when you run. In reality, running will release hormones that will increase your appetite.
• Myth: Carb-loading is essential before a race. Carbs eaten days earlier or for breakfast do not seem to impact performance. It can help if you eat them a whole day before a race.
• Myth: Low-carb-high-fat diets will improve performance. There is little evidence to support this.
• Myth: You need prepackaged energy products to run. You can make your own fuel. Natural energy foods include raisins, dates or dried cherries.

The combination of sugar and salt is essential as the glucose accelerates the body's uptake of the solution, increasing rehydration.

• 2 cups (480ml) water or coconut water
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 4 teaspoons honey or white granulated sugar
• 1 large slice lemon or lime.
• For other flavours, add 1 tablespoon fresh mint, half a cup of fresh berries, or half an orange.

Mix all the ingredients, pour into water bottles and keep chilled until ready to use.

BERRY MAPLE

1/3 cup dried blueberries

2/3 cup boiling water

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

1/8 teaspoon salt

PB&J

1/3 cup dried cherries

3/4 cup boiling water

1 tablespoon smooth peanut butter

2 teaspoons honey

1/8 teaspoon salt (omit if using salted peanut butter)

Put dried fruit and boiling water in a blender. Let it soak for half an hour. Add remaining ingredients and blend smooth. Cool and place in a reusable gel flask.