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.
Nourishing Performance Through Perimenopause and Beyond – Part 3
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.
Practicing Nutrient Timing (Part 2): During
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 …
Practicing Nutrient Timing (Part 1): Before
It pretty much goes without saying that we are best off eating an overall healthy diet rich in fruits and veggies to build a strong, healthy body that will perform well for us. But if you really want to dial in, you might consider implementing solid nutrition routines before, during and after your run that will help to give you the cutting …
How to Fuel your Run
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 …
3 Tips on Fuelling Your Run
Have you ever asked yourself if you should be taking energy gels or using electrolyte or energy drinks? Wondered what kind or how often? Figuring out whether or not to fuel while running, what to take and when to take it can be confusing. I’ve run full marathons on Powerade only, or taking nothing until I bonked, and also gel …
5 Tips to a Faster Recovery
Let’s say you’ve just finished your long run and you’re feeling a bit drained. Understandably so! Long or hard runs use up our fuel and break our bodies down, a requirement in order that they can be built back up stronger. Faster. But right now you’re wondering how you’re going to have enough energy to accomplish the remainder of your …
Chocolate Milk for Post-Run Recovery?
I’ve had a number of clients ask me about the benefits of chocolate milk as a recovery drink, a beverage many runners enjoy the convenience of post-run. In fact, it’s a popular choice to be found at the finish line of many races. Does chocolate milk live up to it’s hype? Let’s take a look. But first, what we should …