How to Use Nutrition to Manage Stress

Tanya Jones Digestive Health, Endurance Sport, Food for Runners, Gut Health, Nutrient Timing, Nutrition Tips, Omega-3s, Performance, Running Performance, Stress Management, Training, Vitamins & Minerals Leave a Comment

I feel like we have all had an experience or two where you’re out there having a great ride or run and suddenly, you’re out of energy, or feeling crampy and nauseous or in a worst-case scenario looking desperately for somewhere to go the bathroom wishing you had a roll of toilet paper in your pocket.
Fear of these scenarios happening can lead us to limiting how much we eat pre-workout as well as not taking in enough nutrition during our training sessions or race. This is so unfortunate because we know we need to nourish our bodies for the workout that we are doing but even more importantly to support our recovery so we can make the adaptations we are working so hard for as well as set ourselves up well for our next workout.

Training Your Gut for Athletic Performance

Tanya Jones Digestive Health, Endurance Sport, Food for Runners, Gut Health, Nutrient Timing, Nutrition Tips, Performance, Running Performance, Training 3 Comments

I feel like we have all had an experience or two where you’re out there having a great ride or run and suddenly, you’re out of energy, or feeling crampy and nauseous or in a worst-case scenario looking desperately for somewhere to go the bathroom wishing you had a roll of toilet paper in your pocket.
Fear of these scenarios happening can lead us to limiting how much we eat pre-workout as well as not taking in enough nutrition during our training sessions or race. This is so unfortunate because we know we need to nourish our bodies for the workout that we are doing but even more importantly to support our recovery so we can make the adaptations we are working so hard for as well as set ourselves up well for our next workout.

Top 10 Nutrition Tips for Endurance Athletes

Tanya Jones Endurance Sport, Food for Runners, Nutrient Timing, Nutrition Tips, Performance 1 Comment

We know that nutrition is important to our endurance sport journey, but I’ve found that for some reason it can be the last thing we really focus on. The gains from a good nutrition plan aren’t always as drastic as doing a hard run or bike where the sweat rolling off your chin makes you feel like you’re working in the right direction, towards your goals. But what I have found for myself and many of my athletes is the nutrition can make or break your training and performance more than any structured training plan.

Using Your Cycle as a Guide for Sport Performance

Tanya Jones Female Hormones, Hormone Cycle Training, Nutrient Timing, Performance, Running Performance, Training Leave a Comment

Have you noticed that your menstrual cycle affects your workouts, your hunger levels, and your sleep? I sure have, and as an athlete and sports nutritionist, I wanted to understand how best to train and nourish my body during each phase to achieve optimal training results. Understanding your cycle will allow you to adapt your training and eating to support your sport and athletic performance. In this week’s blog post, I will discuss how to do this based on the role of each hormone and when it is dominant.

Nourishing Performance Through Perimenopause and Beyond – Part 3

Tanya Jones Gut Health, Menopause, Nutrient Timing, Performance, Perimenopause, Recipes for Runners Leave a Comment

With the decline of estrogen overall during perimenopause, we also have reduced anabolic stimulus for building lean muscle mass and bone density. So along with increase visceral fat deposition there is less hormonal drive to build and maintain lean muscle mass. But luckily, we already know that we have strength training methods and strategies to help with building and maintaining lean muscle mass and bone density. To set ourselves up well for the decline in our hormones and to have a plan to support our bodies once those hormones flatline, we need to look at how to use nutrition and nutrition timing in conjunction with strength training.

Whole Grain versus Refined

sarah cuff Gut Health, Nutrient Timing, Performance 3 Comments

I was asked recently if it’s true athletes should limit whole grains during competition and instead choose items such as white rice and white bread. In a nutshell, the answer is yes. But really – it’s more complicated than a simple yes or no. Allow me to explain… Years ago when was finishing up nutrition school at CSNN I remember …

Practicing Nutrient Timing (part 3): After

sarah cuff Nutrient Timing, Performance, Running Performance, Training Leave a Comment

Figuring out what to eat before, during and after workouts (and thus ensuring the proper practice of nutrient timing) can make the world of difference in our energy and recovery. What you eat (or don’t eat!) post-run plays a large role in determining how you’ll feel afterwards and how much energy you’ll have for your next workout – particularly if you’ll be working out again later that same …

Practicing Nutrient Timing (Part 2): During

sarah cuff Nutrient Timing, Performance, Run Recovery, Running Performance, Training 1 Comment

In order to build a strong, healthy body it pretty much goes without saying that you must establish overall healthy nutritional habits that include plenty of antioxidant rich and anti-inflammatory foods (read: lots of leafy greens, veggies, fruits, herbs/spices and other nutrient dense real foods!). To really dial into performance nutrition however, a focus on what to eat immediately before, during and after each run becomes …

How to Fuel your Run

sarah cuff Carb-Loading for Runners, Ergogenic Aids, Nutrient Timing, Running Performance 1 Comment

As a sports nutritionist who works primarily with runners, one of the most common questions I get asked is what to eat before running. You’d think by now I’d have a short, quick answer because I’ve now worked with so many runners, teach sports nutrition at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition as well as workshops on the subject, continue to read …

How to Avoid the “Runners Trots”

sarah cuff Food for Runners, Nutrient Timing, Running Performance, Training 3 Comments

Have you ever had to dash to the nearest washroom or porta-potty mid-run (or worse yet, mid-race)? If so, I um… I understand. Been there done that (and it’s a terrible place to be). But I know I’m not alone in having suffered these inconveniences. In working with so many runners, I see this issue show up about 20% of …