What should Runners eat?
Curious what to eat after a run to increase your energy and improve performance? Incorporating a balance of carbohydrates and protein into your post-run meal or snack can help enhance recovery, improve muscle adaptation, and support overall performance in future runs.
Carbohydrates are the body's primary source of energy during exercise, especially during endurance activities like running. Eating enough carbohydrates is like ensuring your car has enough gas in the tank to drive.
Consuming carbohydrates after a run helps to replenish the fuel stored in muscles that were depleted during the exercise. This replenishment is crucial for restoring energy levels and preparing the muscles for the next workout.
Protein is essential for muscle repair and growth. Consuming protein after a run provides the necessary building blocks to repair these muscles and promote growth and adaptation. This is vital for improving overall performance and reducing the risk of injury.
To optimize recovery after a run, it is recommended to consume a combination of carbohydrates and protein within 30 minutes to an hour post-exercise. This could be a snack, like toast and peanut butter, or fruit and chocolate milk, or it could be a meal like a sandwich with a side of fruit and yogurt, or a stirfry with meat and veggies. All foods provide fuel and benefit to our bodies - finding the ones you enjoy, feel good in your body and give you the energy you need is your key to success!
If you're looking for support with fueling your body adequately or exploring your relationship with food, body and exercise, I'd love to be in touch!