Fueling your body with the right kind of food is essential to perform your best during a high-intensity workout like Running. The right kind of food not only fuels your body but also gives an upper hand to your performance. Out of so many given options, what to choose is a question of great importance. While some may prefer skipping meals altogether before running, it is surely not advisable as you might experience bouts of dizziness even fainting, stomach cramps and headaches sooner or later.
Here are a few options that one should surely try whether training for a marathon or just beginning to run –
- Banana
Bananas are one of the most economical, healthy and easily available options for runners. They are full of nutrients with a high concentration of potassium which helps with electrolyte balance, metabolism, and nervous system. They are also a superb source of simple carbs giving you instant energy.
- Fruit Smoothies
Smoothies taste awesome and they provide a host of nutrient benefits which can also be customized according to your needs. They are often high in calories and easy to digest filling up your glycogen stores for the workout.
- Greek Yogurt with Nuts/Granola
Greek yogurt helps cool down the body temperature while running in the scorching heat. Whereas nuts and granola cereal provide you with sustained release of energy through the workout.
- Oatmeal and Porridge
They are considered one of the ultimate pre-workout snacks options if you have ample time before a workout. Being a source of complex carbohydrates, they provide sustained release of energy throughout the run without any significant drop in energy levels.
- Whole Wheat Toast with Nut Butter
This is a perfect snack option for those who don’t have enough time to prepare their meals beforehand. It is a wholesome meal with simple carbs, essential fats and a little protein to keep you going well throughout your workout.
- Coffee
Last but not the least, coffee! A shot of espresso with almond milk significantly boosts athletic performance with an increase in metabolism. Coffee is also a great alternative when nothing is available.
While it's different for everyone, these snacks are a good place to start and are ideal to consume 30-60 minutes before you plan on going for a run or training. You know your body best, but as a rule of thumb, give your stomach at least 30 minutes to digest before you set out for your run!
