What can I eat for Long Distance Running?

Question:

What can I eat for for Long Distance Running/Cardio?

Short Answer:

Although longer, steady-state cardio is more secondary on our program, if looking to complete longer-distance running, consuming energy-providing carbohydrates and protein are a great choice. 

Longer Answer:

Longer-distance, steady-state running (where your heart rate stays constant throughout) is a great way to burn calories, boost heart health, and improve lung capacity. However, if your primary goal is more about burning fat and changing your body composition, it is more secondary to resistance training. There is a common misconception that if looking to lose body-fat, you should take up running. However, resistance training and high intensity interval training ( HIIT) are much more efficient in terms of changing your body shape. This is because once you are done with your steady-state cardio sessions, you are done burning calories. However, with resistance training and HIIT, you can burn up to 24-48 hours AFTER your session. Plus, the goal throughout this process is to build/maintain as much lean tissue as possible as lean tissue burns more calories around-the-clock than fatty tissue. And both resistance training/HIIT allow this to happen. Envision an Olympic marathon runner and an Olympic sprinter; the former is usually a bit more scrawny and fragile while the latter is more muscular and lean. 

However, if you are an avid runner and/or simply enjoy longer-distance cardio work, try the following pre-workout meals to help fuel your workouts:

• Small bowl of oatmeal with a scoop or protein
• A piece or two of Ezekiel Bread with your favorite nut butter
• A banana with your favorite nut butter

During the run, if looking to maximize performance (over weight/fat loss):

• Raisins, Dates, Bananas, Dried Cherries
• Coconut Water
• Energy Gels (preferably all-natural brands like Huma)

Yours in Health & Friendship,

- The Fit Mother Project

Customer Success Team