Hangry: Feeding the Runner
Happy Monday everyone! I hope you were outside at some point enjoying this spectacular weekend! It really was one of those perfect summer weekends full of long runs and bike rides, campfires, long afternoon swims, sun kissed foreheads and the annual gem in Southwestern Ontario called the Amish Auction.
Every year, the local Amish community has a sale to support their local school. It is quite a spectacle as it lures out people from the furthest reaches of the community!
In action.
But seriously. Let’s talk snacks.
It is a certainty that the next time you see me I am hungry. Probably even if I just ate. Running, biking, swimming and whatever-elseing for a few hours each day leaves me with the certain ability to outeat most teenage boys. Which is fine, but snacks have become a necessity.
My first serious training regime for a race was in 2010 and I aced the running bit and bombed the nutrition piece. I would come in from a long run and eat everything in sight, more if it was sugary and/or processed.
Now, even though I have a taste for all things sweet, you will most likely find me in the pool post run with a protein shake in my hand.
So what are my favourite mid-day snacks to keep me from eating an entire pie/bag of chips/pizza before dinner?
My current favourite is greek yogurt with honey and granola.
Nice little combo of carbs and protein to keep me from eating my hand off.
Nuts
Source: Vancouver Sun
Although, do keep an eye on the amount you consume. When I lived in England, my university was near a market and I would get fruit and nuts for lunch every day. I overdid it on the selenium in the Brazil Nuts and was very sick for a while. Just saying…have a bit more restraint than me.
Source: Blendtec
I like smoothies made with almond milk and Vega powders. Extra push of greens, vitamins and minerals to keep you going till dinner.
Longtime favourite snack which is made of dried fruit and nuts. I love the peanut butter chocolate because, obviously, and the cashew cookie, pictured above.
I try to make sure there is a good mixture of protein and carbs which keeps me out of the hangry zone and allows me to be a semi-presentable human being.
What is your favourite snack?
Ahahahaha, hangry. That is definitely me as well! Love this post, lots of excellent snack suggestions! Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m borderline hangry…
xo
This is why we are friends. I love going out to eat with you after a big race. With you trekking through the badlands, we are starving sisters! 🙂 Hope all is well!
Well, thanks a bunch. This post just reminded me that I FORGOT my Nature Valley almond bar at home and now I’ll be bearish until lunch time. Arg! It goes without saying that that granola bar is my beloved.
After any kind of workout I eat a banana, almonds, and, most recently (and I want props for this although I don’t deserve them), peanut butter and jelly on multi-grain and milk. It’s my attempt at the nutrition aspect of workouts. I honestly had no idea how important it was to eat (and eat the right foods) after working out.
And alllllll that to say, it was my first time at afore mentioned Amish School Auction and I gorged myself on Amish Donuts…soooo…
Heartfelt sympathies on the lack of Nature Valley almond bars. What I suggest? Keep a box in your desk. If you look through my desk you will see everything from chocolate, to peanut butter, granola bars and oatmeal. Literally a snack drawer which is obviously more important than files!
Giving you legitimate props. A beautiful bike deserves a delicious snack and peanut butter and jelly is the best ever! I think of you every time I see the Kissing Bridge trail. A very soggy you.
Amish Donuts = free pass. Obviously.