Quick Snacks to Fuel your Run
Written by Tracy Rodriguez
When it comes to running, it’s important to keep your energy levels up during the exercise, especially if you do it every day. You'll perform at your peak while also feeling great if you consume foods that are high in energy. Therefore, in the next few paragraphs, you will learn about some of our suggested foods to consume in order to continue to have a great running experience. We've made it easy to understand the best ways to give your body the essential nutrients it needs before you start running.
For starters, we would like to remind you that some of these foods are ideally meant to be consumed before or after your run, and highlight that these foods are not recommended for use during your run. To make things easier, we have provided a list of the energetic foods to eat below, in case you’re looking to skip certain details and obtain the information that you’re looking for quickly. We have also provided the times at which these foods deserve to be consumed.
Number One: Bananas
We recommend eating bananas before a run because not only is it a quick and easy snack to consume, but it contains both carbs and potassium, which are essential components for having a great run. To give you a better idea, carbohydrates allow your body to produce the energy it needs in order to continue to perform, similarly to how a car would not be able to move without gas. Potassium, on the other hand, plays a different role in your body. It works with carbohydrates by storing them in order to fuel your muscles. Keep in mind that bananas are best eaten 30 minutes or less before a run, as it is quicker for your body to digest and absorb the nutrients from the fruit.
We recommend eating bananas before a run because not only is it a quick and easy snack to consume, but it contains both carbs and potassium, which are essential components for having a great run. To give you a better idea, carbohydrates allow your body to produce the energy it needs in order to continue to perform, similarly to how a car would not be able to move without gas. Potassium, on the other hand, plays a different role in your body. It works with carbohydrates by storing them in order to fuel your muscles. Keep in mind that bananas are best eaten 30 minutes or less before a run, as it is quicker for your body to digest and absorb the nutrients from the fruit.
Number Two: Apple Sauce
Another snack we recommend eating 30 minutes before your run is apple sauce. Like bananas, apple sauce breaks down quickly in your body and gives it the nutrients it needs before you run. Applesauce contains fiber, which helps raise your blood sugar, allowing you to perform at your best quickly. In addition, apple sauce won't upset your stomach! So, it’s a win-win.
Another snack we recommend eating 30 minutes before your run is apple sauce. Like bananas, apple sauce breaks down quickly in your body and gives it the nutrients it needs before you run. Applesauce contains fiber, which helps raise your blood sugar, allowing you to perform at your best quickly. In addition, apple sauce won't upset your stomach! So, it’s a win-win.
Number Three: Oatmeal
You can also fuel your energy by simply eating oatmeal as well. Carbohydrates, as previously stated, help your body produce energy while also preparing your muscles for an active run. Moreover, oatmeal contains antioxidants. Antioxidants can help limit your chances of developing diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Because oatmeal takes longer to digest, we recommend eating it an hour before working out to give your body enough time to absorb the benefits. Oatmeal can be enhanced in flavor by adding your preferred fruits, which will also help your body absorb more nutrients and give you more energy for your run.
You can also fuel your energy by simply eating oatmeal as well. Carbohydrates, as previously stated, help your body produce energy while also preparing your muscles for an active run. Moreover, oatmeal contains antioxidants. Antioxidants can help limit your chances of developing diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Because oatmeal takes longer to digest, we recommend eating it an hour before working out to give your body enough time to absorb the benefits. Oatmeal can be enhanced in flavor by adding your preferred fruits, which will also help your body absorb more nutrients and give you more energy for your run.
Number Four: PB&J
It’s “Peanut Butter and Jelly Time!” Who doesn’t love a good PB&J? A quick and easy snack to prepare before your run is peanut butter and jelly. The best part is that, aside from the bread and jelly sustaining your body with carbohydrates, the peanut butter gives your body protein. You may be wondering why protein is considered so important. Protein prevents your stomach from feeling hungry, helping you push through your run and limiting your cravings for snacks and food. However, just like oatmeal, PB&J also takes a while to break down in your body, so we also recommend that you eat this an hour before your run.
It’s “Peanut Butter and Jelly Time!” Who doesn’t love a good PB&J? A quick and easy snack to prepare before your run is peanut butter and jelly. The best part is that, aside from the bread and jelly sustaining your body with carbohydrates, the peanut butter gives your body protein. You may be wondering why protein is considered so important. Protein prevents your stomach from feeling hungry, helping you push through your run and limiting your cravings for snacks and food. However, just like oatmeal, PB&J also takes a while to break down in your body, so we also recommend that you eat this an hour before your run.
Number 5: Energy Bars
Last but not least, there are energy bars. Energy bars are highly packed with different forms of nutrients, which can ensure that you can make the most out of your run. To give you a better picture, here are some of the nutrients that an energy bar contains:
Last but not least, there are energy bars. Energy bars are highly packed with different forms of nutrients, which can ensure that you can make the most out of your run. To give you a better picture, here are some of the nutrients that an energy bar contains:
- Protein
- Carbohydrates
- Dietary Fiber
Conclusion
Your ability to take on your challenge depends on the timing of when you consume these snacks. The timing in which you consume these snacks is essential for you to take on your challenge. We're delighted to have provided you with some reasons why it's always important to choose what snack you want to eat prior to your workout. Moreover, keep in mind that if you have some extra time before your run, you should think about combining some of these snacks with other light foods that won't irritate your stomach, since adding more foods high in nutrients is another excellent strategy to give your body the energy it needs before a workout. We hope that this article has provided you with the knowledge needed to have a great exercise experience or consider running as an activity, but also to maintain energy levels while doing it.
Your ability to take on your challenge depends on the timing of when you consume these snacks. The timing in which you consume these snacks is essential for you to take on your challenge. We're delighted to have provided you with some reasons why it's always important to choose what snack you want to eat prior to your workout. Moreover, keep in mind that if you have some extra time before your run, you should think about combining some of these snacks with other light foods that won't irritate your stomach, since adding more foods high in nutrients is another excellent strategy to give your body the energy it needs before a workout. We hope that this article has provided you with the knowledge needed to have a great exercise experience or consider running as an activity, but also to maintain energy levels while doing it.