cristina-sutter-logo

SportMed InTraining: What to Eat Before and After a Run?

Sun Run Training Week 6: Sample Meal Plan

bananasFueling yourself well is key to training for a 10K race. Eating the right foods at the right times makes all the difference. Four to six small meals a day is great for optimal energy and to avoid getting too hungry and overeating later in the day. When we forget to eat and skip meals, our muscles are broken down for energy and our metabolic rate slows. Eating a small meal every 3-4 hours helps you build muscle and fuels your training and recovery. 

Plan a snack 1-2 hours before a run - good examples include fruit and yogurt, crackers and hummus, fruit smoothie, toast with nut butter, banana with nut butter or oatmeal and milk. At this stage of your training, fresh fruit is a great recovery snack after your runs. When your training sessions become longer and faster, a fruit smoothie, yogurt parfait, or half a sandwich are great options for your recovery snack. Chocolate milk is a popular recovery snack because it’s convenient, but you can make your own recovery smoothie with plain milk, frozen berries and yogurt. Make sure to have your next meal within 1-2 hours after your run to promote muscle recovery and maintain your stamina at your next training run. 

Here is a general sample meal plan that would work for most moderately active middle-aged women. If you are younger, very active or male, you will need to boost the portions of these meals and snacks. 

Sample Meal Plan:

  • Breakfast: Whole grain toast, egg, milk
  • Snack: Greek yogurt, fruit
  • Lunch: Whole grain chicken vegetable wrap, raw veggies
  • Pre-run snack: Crackers, hummus, fruit
  • Post-run snack: Fruit
  • Dinner: Vegetable fish stir-fry with brown rice and salad

Latest News

  • Now Offering Online Sport Nutrition Courses and Resources!

    Cristina is now offering Elite Dietitians, a virtual library of Online Sport Nutrition Courses for young athletes, sports clubs and teams including soccer, hockey and swimming! 

    Each course has short videos that are easy to follow with key messages for young audiences.  Her courses are focused on everyday foods and practical suggestions to fuel young athletes for training and performance.  

    If your young athlete is open to learning from an expert in a casual way, check out her courses here: elitedietitians.thinkific.com.

    U16 BC CUP 2023 GAME7 5697 KBPb

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Included are free downloads including:

    • Sport Nutrition Summary
    • Sport Nutrition Tips and Checklist
    • Quiz
    • Goal setting worksheet
    • Recovery snack ideas
    • Lunch ideas
    • Meal plans for practices and games

Book an Appointment with Cristina today

 

Want to book an appointment with Cristina immediately? Call 604-987-4060 during business hours. 8AM - 6PM, Monday - Friday or book online today:

BOOK ONLINE TODAY

Questions before getting started? Please feel free to use the form below to get in contact with Cristina for any questions you may have, or to schedule your next individual or group consultation or writing project.