12 Best Energy Foods for Running

 

Wow! What a good feeling one gets when they have a fit body that they can virtually anything without straining. Every runner has that fit body that all of us admire, of course, none likes having that big body that makes you take deep breaths after every ten strides you make.

Having that athletic body starts with regular exercise in the morning and having an excellent meal to replenish the energy lost as well as build the muscle to keep you active when running. Now that we know having an athletic body is through exercise and functional foods, then what are the best examples of foods to consider as a runner?


The common ones are carbohydrates, fruits, vitamins, water and proteins. All these classes of foods are vital for body development, and each plays a role such as bodybuilding, energy production, good health and fibre. 

Today we will explore some of the common best energy foods for runners. We are familiar with most of them but feel free to discover more today because knowledge has no end, it only has the beginning. The list of energy foods we will discuss will not be not exhaustive, but represents the most common types that have been confirmed to serve best. 

1.       Peanut butter

Every morning when we take our breakfast, we spread our toasts with peanut butter. Peanuts have been proven to be good sources of vitamin E which is good for immunity, healthy skin and good eyesight. Running makes one sweat a lot, and this may expose one to fungal diseases that thrive in moisture. You also need good vision and here you got a solution.

2.       Bananas

Whenever you feel hungry, and meals are not ready, you reach for a banana. Bananas are best known for their excellent energy supply to the body and are mostly included in the list of foods to be eaten by runners. They also contain potassium which is useful in maintaining steady osmotic pressure in the body as you run and also replace minerals lost during sweating. 

3.       Chocolate

Chocolate bars are made up of cocoa which is used to treat high blood pressure related issues. Having a chocolate bar at certain intervals of days may be useful for your health as a runner since besides getting energy from its breakdown, you also maintain your blood pressure as you run. Cocoa is also known to reduce cholesterol which may block your veins and arteries and affect your running life.

4.       Avocado

Avocado is the other food to consider for your body energy supply. Fats form most of the avocado and are useful to the body because they aid in the absorption of other nutrients. They also contain protein which is helpful in bodybuilding and can be converted to energy whenever they are absorbed in surplus. They also contain magnesium and potassium which are vital minerals to the body.

5.       Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are carbohydrates and have been known to provide energy and fibre that is good for digestion. They are also rich in vitamin C which prevents scurvy and common cold to some people. The magnesium, carotene and iron they contain are also good for the body in that they complement other minerals and promote bone development. They reduce food and thus, keep the body fit.

6.       Cashew nuts

Cashew nuts are good energy sources for our bodies. They contain cholesterol free fats that are vital for body development and good for blood circulation in the body. Besides the cholesterol-free fats, they also have magnesium, iron zinc, copper and selenium. Magnesium is good energy sources while copper and selenium are antioxidant minerals.

7.       Eggs

Eggs are the primary sources of proteins which are useful for bodybuilding. These proteins when in excess are converted into energy to be used by the body when running. They also contain amino acids which are suitable for the growth of cells in the body. Eggs contain thiamine and vitamin b5 which turn carbohydrates into energy and help in the release of the energy to the body respectively.

8.       Spinach

Spinach may not directly be an energy food, but it is. The role it plays is at the cell level, and that is why it is not noticeable. The primary component of the spinach is the magnesium which is responsible for the energy release. Potassium contained in spinach as we have discussed earlier is vital for maintaining the blood pressure.

9.       Salmon fish

You realise that running involves a lot of brain activity and thus, there is a need to have a well-developed brain to be a runner. The omega three contained in the salmon fish is good for brain development to aid in the running process. Salmon also contains proteins which are useful in bodybuilding and energy supply to the body when running.

10.   Honey

We are going to consider natural honey in this discussion because of its rich content. Natural honey is a collection of several natural substances collected by bees when they go sucking for nectar. Honey is rich in carbohydrates which is the primary source of energy to the human body. There is also sucrose in honey which is converted slowly and therefore, provides energy for extended periods.

11.   Mushrooms

Mushrooms are also vital energy foods to be considered by runners. Mushrooms serve as complements to other energy foods in that they contain iron which helps to reduce fatigue when running. They also include Vitamin D which is responsible for calcium, magnesium and phosphate and vitamin B12 accountable for providing energy to the cells and is a cofactor in DNA synthesis. 

12.   Pumpkins

Pumpkins are almost in every part of the world and have been used for several years to provide energy. They are very rich in carbohydrates, fibre and minerals all which are vital for the digestive, absorption and energy released by the body. Pumpkins also ensure endurance when running by providing long-time energy through the breakdown of sucrose which takes longer to complete.