The Runner’s Diet Part 1

fitnessweightlosscenter.com Runners need to have proper nutrition. There are two reasons for this. The first reason is that runners need energy in order to achieve power performance. The second reason is that they need to have their nutritional needs met. But then, runner’s diet and proper nutrition are two greatly overlooked things that a lot of runners, novices in particular, end up feeling without power and are fatigued whenever they run.

Running burns up a lot of calories. In order for a runner to be able to run, he needs fuel for his body. Any lost calories needs to be replaced right away and adequately. Thus, it’s important for runners to make sure that they are getting the right amounts of foods at the right time.

Carbohydrates

The typical diet must be about 40% carbohydrate. Runners, however, need more than that in their diet. Their diet should consist of 60% to 65% carbohydrates. This is because carbohydrates are a great source of energy. During the digestion process, the body converts carbohydrates into glucose, which is then stored in the body as glycogen. When they run, the muscles use glycogen to fuel them and keep them energized.

While candies and sodas are carbohydrates, they are simple carbohydrates and they provide energy for only a short period. Instead, runners need complex carbohydrates. These produce energy for long-term use. Complex carbohydrates can be found in rice, pastas, potatoes, breads, and grains. The minimum daily carbohydrate recommendation for runners is three grams for each pound of body weight. Thus, if you’re 120 pounds, you should be consuming 360 grams of carbohydrates every day.