We already know the goal of every runner: to run harder, faster and better each time. What if I told you there was a super drug out there, one that could make you realize your dream, sans side effects. I’d be lying of course. The truth is life holds no such guarantee and promises to the contrary are most likely empty. While many believe in such things as coincidence, luck, and karma; I’ve always been a firm believer in hard work. Where all else fails, application, commitment and determination will, nine our of ten times, bring about success.
As luck/karma/coincidence or as I like to think, God, would have it, we can be ably assisted in our goal by something as simple as our diet. I scouted around and came up with what runners, nutritionists, and doctors agree are the best super foods for runners; foods that will fuel performance, stimulate health, are either easy to prepare or need little or no preparation, and, are sure to give energy, power and sustenance for some super running.
-Bananas; nature’s own power bar packed with potassium, fiber, vitamin C and B6. Raisins share similar components.
-Salmon; fish has protein and Omega 3 fats and is also a great source of Vitamin D which helps with your mood and to get you motivated..
-Leafy Greens to include Kale; has folate which increases circulation for runners, here you can get creative with your salads and colors.
-Eggs; a great source of protein with multiple ways to prepare for variety and taste.
-Sweet Potatoes; you get your carbs, potassium and fiber, plus it’s versatile to prepare.
-Almonds among other nut sources are healthy high-performance fats , which should be eaten sometime before or after exercise due to digestion.
-Whole Grains; quality carbs like Quinoa and Black Rice or even Whole Wheat Pasta and good ‘ole’ Oatmeal.
-Lean Beef; a higher source of protein than chicken or pork.
-Low-fat Yogurt is loaded with calcium and active cultures, which is a great boost to runners. It also provides vegetarian protein and can be easily enhanced with fresh fruit, agave and the like.
-Avocadoes & Olives; similar to almonds as a healthy high-performance fat.
Other foods like Dark Chocolate, Berries, Cherries and Oranges boasts similar benefits and contain the protein, carbohydrates and fiber that runners need to perform at their peak. My take.. It is worth investing a little of your time to compare options when shopping to ensure you get the best deal both financially and health-wise. And of course, one must keep abreast of all the new discoveries being made these days. Who knows… about that super drug? Only, we don’t really need it; not with all the delicious, natural and power-producing foods that are already available.
Here’s to super foods for super running!
runningwithfaith 