I'm not the best eater in the world but I do try. I want to be healthy and I want my family to be healthy so I make every attempt to prepare healthy foods. But they have to taste good. And we have to want to eat them. I mean, what's the sense of eating food that you don't enjoy or don't want to eat?
Exactly!
So, here's my food thing. I try to keep my overall diet fairly clean -- minimally-processed foods, mostly plants. I'm not a vegetarian; my diet is probably 80% vegetarian and 20% not. It might also be characterized as 80% healthy and 20% not. I like jelly beans (clearly neither minimally processed nor plant). And ice cream. And I do believe I've mentioned that I enjoy a good vodka & tonic as much as the next guy. Or gal.
But, overall healthy.
Specific to running, though, is this: The better I eat, the better I perform. I've been modifying recipes lately, to make them healthier -- using fewer refined and otherwise processed ingredients, etc. -- and I've started to put them together here. I'll be adding more recipes soon, so stay tuned!
Also specific to running is this tip: After a run, I eat a carb/protein combo right away. My choice is about 10 raw almonds mixed with a handful or so of dried cranberries. Best post-run treat! Or anytime treat, really. In fact, I could go for a handful now . . .
That's the thing with eating. You need to find the things that work for you. I believe you need to enjoy your food and, hopefully, those foods will also be good for you and performance-enhancing. Don't be afraid to tweak your diet! Don't be afraid to try new things before runs (but not races!) to find out what works for you.
* * *
Busy day today, ending with Owen's race this evening. Conal and I will be cheering hard!
Have a great day!
~ Felice
I love almonds too. Although I've never thought to combine them with cranberries. Hmmm, that does sound good.
ReplyDeleteI like that almond/cranberry idea, too!
ReplyDeleteI think you're absolutely right that we have to enjoy what we eat. I'm just not going to eat a plain chicken breast, brown rice and spinach leaves every day! Balance is key.
Thanks for sharing and have fun cheering!
Can't wait to check out the recipes!! And that's a great little post run treat!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to Owen in the race! Cranberries sound good...actually i want a snack now too!!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I love that you're sharing your recipes! Have fun tonight.
ReplyDelete"The better I eat, the better I perform"
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about this on my ultra-sucky run today, contemplating the krispy kreme donuts and mountain dew they gave me at work this morning. ugh. I'll be looking forward to the recipes!
i try to live by "garbarge in, garbage out" (pretty much the same thing as you said) but sometimes i still stuff my face with the garbage. kudos to you for being mostly healthy! i think we deserve to treat ourselves once in awhile :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck Owen!
ReplyDeleteMostly healthy is good! A sneak once in a while is not bad. Just not all the time. I hope to be 80% good someday soon :)
i'm reading this while eating a cookie. FAIL. ha ha. :)
ReplyDeleteMy problem is that I run to eat instead of the other way around. ;-p
ReplyDeleteYeah for almonds! They have calcium in them too : )
ReplyDeleteThanks for the cranberry idea! I've just added a jar of raw almonds to my snack drawer at work; that would be a good addition!
ReplyDeleteI know I eat too much processed food -- it's just so convenient! But the first step is admitting you have a problem, right?
Ooh I LOVE your post-workout snack! so easy!!! Also - I was definitely a "maple syrup" girl, for a LONG time (on oatmeal). I looove the stuff, but seriously, try pb. you won't regret it. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you here. I love a good vodka martini. And I try and eat healthy, but I could never be vegetarian again (I was for many years)... I just need food too much! And I have a little problem called sour patch kids....
ReplyDeleteBut for the most part I stay away from processed, try and go organic most of the time. But sometimes, a girl just needs some beef and sugar!
I agree...the healthier you eat, the better you run.
ReplyDeleteHope you and Conal enjoyed the race.
Thanks for the post I joined Runner's lounge after reading your post. :)
ReplyDelete