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RW30FoodsRunnersDL PDF
RW30FoodsRunnersDL PDF
he following
30 foods will give you all
the nutrients you need
Foods for
to run faster, recover
quicker, and feel more energized all
day long. Most are low-fat, so theyre
Runners
good for your waistline, too. Whats
more, many studies show that these
tasty treats will reduce your risk
of heart disease and cancer. Since
theyre easy to prepare, youll have
How to fuel your run plenty of time for your workouts as
well as healthful meals.
1
30BestFoodsforRunners
serving
food nutrients benefits
suggestions
Almonds Carb: 5.5 g Loaded with the antioxidant vitamin E, Make a trail mix of
1 ounce (about Pro: 5.9 g which may help reduce muscle damage almonds, cereals, and
24 almonds) Fat: 14.4 g as well as fend off age-related diseases. assorted dried fruits and
Cal: 172 Also contain important minerals such as seeds.
magnesium, iron, calcium, and potassium
plus heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.
Bagels Carb: 37.6 g Packed with muscle-fueling carbohydrate. If you have a bagel before
One plain Pro: 7.5 g running, eat it either plain
bagel Fat: 1.5 g or with jelly. Avoid adding
Cal: 197 fat, such as cream cheese,
which slows digestion.
Bananas Carb: 26.7 g Chock-full of carbohydrate, a nice dose of Combine with peanut
One medium Pro: 1.2 g potassium, and vitamin B6. butter, another runner-
banana Fat: 0.5 g friendly food. Or make
Cal: 105 the Power Breakfast
(p. 8) or Grilled Banana
Sandwiches (p. 8).
Beans Carb: 40.8 g Best source of protein, iron, and soluble Add canned black beans,
(legumes) Pro: 15.2 g fiber for vegetarians. High in carbohydrate chickpeas, or kidney beans
1 cup Fat: 0.9 g and folate (folic acid), which may prevent to soups and salads. Or
Cal: 227 birth defects during pregnancy and fight make Minestrone (p. 9)
heart disease.
Breakfast Carb: 15 g* Packed with carbohydrate and fiber, Eat with 1% milk or mix
cereal Pro: 2 g* fortified with vitamins and minerals.* with low-fat yogurt and
3
4 cup (such Fat: 1.5 g* fruit.
as Multi Grain Cal: 75*
Cheerios)
Brown rice Carb: 45 g Powerful carbohydrate punch plus a Cook a bunch and freeze
1 cup Pro: 5 g wealth of antioxidants. it. That way, you only need
Fat: 1.8 g to add 2 tablespoons of
Cal: 216 liquid per cup, thaw, and
microwave it. Use it in Beef,
Broccoli & Cashew Stir-
Fry with Brown Rice (p. 11).
2
30BestFoodsforRunners
serving
food nutrients benefits
suggestions
Canola oil Carb: 0 g Great source of monounsaturated fat and Use canola oil instead of
1 tablespoon Pro: 0 g omega-3 fatty acids, both of which lower other fats, such as butter
Fat: 14 g your risk of heart disease. For optimal and margarine, when
Cal: 124 performance, runners need to obtain 30% cooking or baking. Use it in
of their calories from fat. Beef, Broccoli & Cashew
Stir-Fry with Brown Rice
(p. 11).
Chocolate Carb: 17 g Contains the same phytochemicals found Stick with dark chocolate,
1 ounce Pro: 2 g in red wine that are known to fight heart since it contains more
Fat: 9 g disease. phytochemicals than milk
Cal: 160 chocolate. (White chocolate
doesnt contain any.)
Clams Carb: 4.4 g An excellent source of low-fat protein, Drain and rinse canned
3 ounces, Pro: 21.7 g iron, and zinc, an immunity-boosting clams, which actually have
chopped Fat: 1.7 g mineral thats notoriously low in many less fat and cholesterol than
Cal: 126 runners diets. Be sure youre consuming the steamed version. Add
the 15 mg of zinc you need each day. them to spaghetti sauce or
use them in Seafood Stew
(p. 10).
Fig bars Carb: 20 g Great high-carbohydrate snack that Eat them right out of the
Two small Pro: 1 g satisfies your sweet tooth without packing package.
fig bars Fat: 2.5 g fat into your arteries.
Cal: 110
Flaxseed Carb: 4.1 g High in alpha-linolenic acid, a type of fat Use ground flaxseed when
(ground) Pro: 2.3 g that can boost immunity, bloodflow, and baking muffins, or mix
1 tablespoon Fat: 4 g possibly even endurance. Flax also keeps flaxseed oil into your salad
Cal: 59 your platelets (flat cells in your blood) dressings. (Store flaxseed
from clumping together and forming in your refrigerator to keep
dangerous clots. it from turning rancid.) Add
it to the Power Breakfast
(p. 8).
Ginger Carb: 1.4 g Besides settling your stomach, this spice Look for dense roots. Grate
root Pro: 0.2 g may act as a natural anti-inflammatory, the root for stir-fry dishes,
(fresh, Fat: 0.1 g reducing joint and muscle pain. It also may cold salads, and smoothies.
grated) Cal: 7 prevent heart attacks by thinning your Or use it in Beef, Broccoli
1 teaspoon blood. & Cashew Stir-Fry with
Brown Rice (p. 11).
3
30BestFoodsforRunners
serving
food nutrients benefits
suggestions
Kiwifruit Carb: 11.3 g Excellent source of vitamin C, high in A peeled kiwi makes a great
1 medium kiwi Pro: 0.8 g potassium. snack after a run on a hot
Fat: 0.3 g day.
Cal: 46
Milk (1%) Carb: 11.7 g The easiest way to get high amounts Drink it straight or pour
8 ounces Pro: 8 g of calciumcrucial for bone-mineral it over your favorite high-
Fat: 2.6 g formation, muscle contraction, and nerve fiber cereal. Try the Power
Cal: 102 conduction. Also helps prevent stress Breakfast (p. 8). If youre
fractures, shin splints, and possibly lactose intolerant, use
muscle cramps. reduced-lactose milk or milk
with live cultures. (Avoid
milk just before running
because it can cause side
stitches.)
Oatmeal Carb: 27.3 g A great breakfast food for those trying Oatmeal is perfect before
1
2 cup Pro: 5.5 g to lose weight. Oatmeals high amount of a long run, as it provides
Fat: 3 g water-soluble fiber makes you feel full and slow-release carbohydrates
Cal: 148 lowers your blood cholesterol. Also high in to your bloodstream. Make
carbohydrate and iron. it more nutritious by adding
dried or fresh fruit. Try the
Power Breakfast (p. 8).
Oranges Carb: 15.2 g Excellent source of the antioxidant vitamin Gulp down a large glass
One orange Pro: 1.3 g C (may help speed muscle recovery after of orange juice after a
Fat: 0.1 g exercise), folate (helps maintain optimal run. Or use the fruit in the
Cal: 60 levels of hemoglobin in red blood cells), Power Salad (p. 10). Youll
and pectin (helps control blood sugar replenish your muscles
levels and keep LDL cholesterol from with carbohydrate, boost
turning into plaque). your immune system with
vitamin C, and rehydrate
your body with fluid.
Pasta Carb: 42 g Famous as the quintessential carbo-loader, Enjoy pasta with a low-fat
2 ounces Pro: 7.6 g pasta is low in fat and a great source of marinara sauce for the
Fat: 1.1 g folate, which decreases your risk of heart perfect prerace entre. Or
Cal: 210 disease. Also a great vehicle for other try Minestrone (p. 9).
good-for-you foods like tomato sauce,
tofu, and clams.
Peanut Carb: 6.9 g Good source of vitamin E, probably Try peanut butter on fresh
butter Pro: 7.7 g the most powerful antioxidant. The apples, bananas, or canned
2 tablespoons Fat: 16 g fats in peanut butter are mostly pears. Try Grilled Banana
Cal: 188 monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, Sandwiches (p. 8).
which are the heart-healthy kinds.
4
30BestFoodsforRunners
Raisins Carb: 79 g High in carbohydrate and low in fat, Sprinkle them on your cereal,
2
3 cup Pro: 3.4 g this convenient snack supplies plenty add them to yogurt, or simply
Fat: 0.5 g of potassium as well as some iron. snack on them throughout the
Cal: 302 Like grapes, raisins also contain day. Or use them in Golden
an abundance of heart-healthy Cauliflower & Tofu Curry
phytochemicals. (p. 9).
Red bell Carb: 3.2 g Supply more immunity-boosting Use them as a colorful addition
peppers Pro: 0.4 g vitamin C than oranges. Also loaded to any pasta dish or salad, or
2 cup,
1 Fat: 0.1 g with carotenes, a family of plant cut them up and take them to
chopped Cal: 14 pigments known to fight heart work for a snack. Or use them
disease and cancer. in Golden Cauliflower & Tofu
Curry (p. 9), Beef, Broccoli &
Cashew Stir-Fry with Brown
Rice (p. 11), or Seafood Stew
(p. 10).
Salmon Carb: 0 g Outstanding source of omega-3 Grill salmon and top it with a
3 ounces Pro: 22 g fatty acids, which boost the immune fruit salsa of sliced kiwi, papaya,
Fat: 3.8 g system and cut the risk of heart cilantro, and a jalapeo pepper.
Cal: 127 disease. Provides lots of protein and The salsa provides important
vitamin B12. antioxidants as well as fiber.
Spinach Carb: 1 g High in carotenes, calcium, and Sneak cooked spinach into
1
2 cup Pro: 0.8 g irona true power food. The lasagna and other casseroles.
Fat: 0.1 g carotenes help ward off age-related Make sure to eat something
Cal: 6 diseases as well as protect your acidic or high in vitamin C, such
muscles from damage. The calcium as tomatoes or oranges, along
keeps your bones strong. The iron with your spinach to increase
keeps your energy high. iron absorption. Cook it in
Minestrone (p. 9) or Seafood
Stew (p. 10), or eat it fresh in
the Power Salad (p. 10).
5
30BestFoodsforRunners
Strawberries Carb: 10.5 g High in vitamins, especially beta- Mix strawberries and other
1 cup Pro: 0.9 g carotene, vitamin C, and folate. berries into a fruit salad, or
Fat: 0.6 g Loaded with ellagic acid, a powerful blend them with milk or yogurt
Cal: 45 antioxidant that can inhibit tumor for a nutritious postrun shake.
growth. Use them in the Power Salad
(p. 10).
Sweet Carb: 27.7 g Packed with carbohydrate, fiber, and Microwave until its soft to
potatoes Pro: 2 g carotenes, a family of antioxidants the touch (about 4 minutes),
One baked Fat: 0.1 g that prevents cancer. split it open, and add a pinch
sweet potato Cal: 117 of brown sugar and cinnamon
plus a touch of butter or low-
fat yogurt. Or use in Golden
Cauliflower & Tofu Curry
(p. 9).
Tofu Carb: 5.4 g One of the best non-meat protein Try tofu in pasta sauces and
1
2 cup Pro: 19.9 g sources, tofu also supplies a decent stir-fry dishes. Its refrigerated
Fat: 11 g dose of bone-building calcium and in the produce department of
Cal: 183 B vitamins. your grocery store. Or try it in
Golden Cauliflower & Tofu
Curry (p. 9).
Whole Carb: 12.9 g High in carbohydrate, whole grain Use whole grain bread for
grain bread Pro: 2.7 g bread contains many of the same sandwiches. Try it in Grilled
One slice Fat: 1.2 g healthy phytochemicals found in Banana Sandwiches (p. 8).
Cal: 69 fruits and vegetables. Most whole
grains contain B vitamins, and some
come with iron added.
Yogurt Carb: 17.4 g Terrific source of muscle-fueling Add your own fresh fruit and
8 ounces Pro: 13 g carbohydrate, protein, and calcium. granola to plain, nonfat yogurt
Fat: 0.4 g Look for yogurts that list live and to create a snack loaded with
Cal: 127 active cultures on the label, as they vitamin C, fiber, and other
may boost immunity. nutrients. Have it in the
Power Breakfast (p. 8).
6
30BestFoodsforRunners
Performance Menus
When should you eat these best foods to guarantee optimum performance? That depends
on when you run. If you run after work, for instance, you should eat most of your calories
midday to fuel your run. On the other hand, if you run at lunch, you should fuel up with a
big breakfast. And if you run in the morning, a big dinner the night before works best.
Heres how you can fit these foods into your daily regimen:
Morning run
6:00 a.m. k Sports drink
6:20 a.m. k Run
7:00 a.m. k Cereal with 1% milk and fruit
10:00 a.m. k Fig bar and a glass of water
Noon k Power Salad (p. 10), cup of yogurt
6:00 p.m. k
Option 1: Beef, Broccoli & Cashew Stir-Fry with Brown Rice (p. 11)
Option 2: Golden Cauliflower & Tofu Curry (p. 9)
Lunch run
7:00 a.m. k
Option 1: Power Breakfast (p. 8)
Option 2: Grilled Banana Sandwiches (p. 8), fruit, and a glass of 1% milk
10:00 a.m. k Fig bar and a glass of water
Noon k Run
1:00 p.m. k Sandwich with turkey breast, cranberry sauce, lettuce, and tomato on
whole grain bread, served with a side of mixed fruit and some pretzels
7:00 p.m. k Grilled fish and a side salad
Evening run
7:00 a.m. k Oatmeal with fruit and yogurt
Noon k
Option 1: Minestrone (p. 9)
Option 2: Seafood Stew (p. 10)
3:00 p.m. k Pretzels
5:30 p.m. k Run
7:00 p.m. k Tofu, broccoli, and brown rice stir-fry with a sweet potato
7
30BestFoodsforRunners
Whisk everything but the banana and yogurt in a microwavable 2. Coat a large skillet with cooking spray and place over medium-
bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes or until set. Let cool for a minute high heat. Slice the remaining banana in half lengthwise and then
or two. Top with the banana and yogurt. in half crosswise. Place the banana halves in the pan and cook
until caramelized. Arrange the bananas over the cream cheese
Makes 1 serving
and top with the remaining bread.
Per serving: 570 calories, 80 g carb, 11 g fiber, 29 g protein,
18 g fat (4.5 g saturated), 200 mg sodium
3. Wipe out the skillet, add a spritz more cooking spray, and place
over medium heat. Add the sandwiches and cook until browned
on each side.
Makes 2 servings
8
30BestFoodsforRunners
1 can (15.5 oz) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained 2 cups cauliflower florets
1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, rinsed and drained 1 carrot, sliced
2 cans (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes 1416 oz firm tofu, pressed, cut into 1 cubes
2 cans (16 oz) low-sodium chicken broth 2 cups diced eggplant
1 package whole wheat rotini or similar pasta 1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 package (10 oz) frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 1 orange-fleshed sweet potato, peeled and sliced
1. In a large pot set over high heat, combine the oil, onion, celery, 1 small zucchini, sliced
carrots, garlic, oregano, and pepper. Cover and cook, stirring 1
2 cup raisins
occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the beans, tomatoes (with juice),
Salt and freshly ground pepper
and broth. Bring almost to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover
partially and simmer for 1 hour. 1. In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add
the onion and saut 2 minutes. Add the garlic and saut 1 minute.
2. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
Mix in the curry powder and cinnamon and cook until fragrant,
Add the pasta and spinach to the pot and stir. Heat on high for
30 to 60 seconds.
10 minutes.
Makes 10 servings 2. Add the apple juice, cauliflower, and carrots. When the liquid
boils, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook 10 minutes.
Per serving: 247 calories, 46 g carb, 8 g fiber, 7 g protein,
1 g fat (0.5 g saturated), 364 mg sodium 3. Meanwhile, coat a large, heavy skillet with cooking spray.
Add the cubes of tofu in 1 layer, and cook, turning the cubes with
tongs, until golden and crisp on four sides, 2 minutes per side.
4. Add the tofu, eggplant, red pepper, sweet potato, zucchini, and
raisins to the cauliflower. Cover and simmer until the vegetables
are tender but still hold their shape, 20 to 25 minutes. Season to
taste with salt and pepper.
Makes 6 servings
9
30BestFoodsforRunners
1
2 cup chopped onion 1 12 cups chopped baby spinach
1
2 cup chopped red bell pepper 1 12 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 clove garlic, minced 3 slices prosciutto, chopped
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes 1
2 cup mandarin orange slices
1 can (28 oz) tomato sauce 1
3 cup sliced strawberries
1
4 cup dry red wine 2 Tbsp diced red onion
1
4 cup chopped parsley Dressing
10
30BestFoodsforRunners
Beef, Broccoli & Cashew were accurate at the time this publication was posted.
6. Return the beef and any juices, the reserved marinade, and the steamed broccoli to the (fig bars), 9 (steak); Photodisc/Getty Images:
skillet. Toss to mix. Stir-fry about 2 minutes, or until heated through. Stir the cornstarch p. 4 (kiwi); Alamy: p. 4 (peanut butter); Food
mixture again; add to the skillet and cook, stirring, until the mixture boils and thickens. Collection/Getty Images: p. 5 (spinach); Getty
Remove from the heat and sprinkle with the cashews. Serve over the rice.
Images: p. 6 (strawberries); Sabine Shecker/
Makes 4 servings
Getty Images: p. 6 (bread)
Per serving: 375 calories, 34 g carb, 3 g fiber, 24 g protein, 15 g fat (4 g saturated), 534 mg sodium
11