YOU’VE FORBIDDEN FRUIT…

For many of us, the word ‘carb’ is synonymous with pasta and potatoes, or baked goodies. Admittedly, bananas and carrots may not have the sensual appeal of a freshly baked bagel, but fruit and veg provide high-quality carbs to fuel you equally well, minus the unsavoury side effects that can weigh runners down on the road and on the scales. Fruits and veggies also deliver key nutrients that will help you bounce back quickly from tough workouts and protect you from stroke, heart disease and high blood pressure. That said, some fruits and vegetables are better than others for your running life. In general, those that you can consume with the peel attached (eg apples and potatoes), and most berries, contain lots of fibre. Fibre is great, as it’ll keep you feeling full, slowing the digestion of sugars so you don’t get the energy spikes and crashes caused by refined sugars. One caveat: if you’re running in the next 60 minutes, avoid eating anything that has more than 7g fibre per serving. These carb-rich fruits and vegetables pack extra nutrients to support your running: