by Dana-Susan Crews
For today's post, we recommend that you sit back, put your feet up, and open up a big cold jar of pickle juice. Mmmm, right?
Endurance athletes make some interesting choices when it comes to electrolyte replacement and energizing food weapons. Here are a few of the most popular and why athletes choose them...
- Pickle juice. For many years, sports medicine professionals have recommended pickle juice. It was first used by athletic trainers in the NFL to help reduce muscle cramps. The mixture of salt, water and vinegar really helps athletes who sweat a lot. A lot of sodium is lost in sweat and pickle juice offers a quick replacement of sodium as well as potassium and magnesium. Some researchers believe that the vinegar also aids in reducing muscle cramps. You will see pickle juice offered on many race courses now, especially century rides, long distance triathlons and ultra marathons.
- Chocolate milk. Well, it's not just for kids anymore! Ask endurance athletes what their favorite post workout recovery drink is and you'll hear a lot of praise for chocolate milk. In some studies, chocolate milk was shown to have the perfect mix of carbohydrate and protein to help restore muscles and replenish depleted fuel stores. In addition, milk has sodium, potassium and magnesium which athletes need after a hard workout. Plus it has calcium and vitamin D.
- Coconut water. It's one of the latest trends in "sports drinks". It is considered a natural sports drink filled with potassium. There is not much sodium in coconut water which is typically recommended for heavy sweaters, but a lot of endurance athletes swear by the increased energy levels they feel after drinking coconut water.
- Beetroot juice. Especially popular with long distance cyclists, beetroot juice is becoming more and more common with endurance athletes who swear by its ability to increase stamina. According to nutritionists, this may be the result of it increasing nitric acid in the body which reduces energy requirements of muscles so you can exercise with less oxygen. On a side note, if you do start drinking beetroot juice, don't freak out when your pee turns red!
- Potatoes with salt. Tiny potatoes sprinkled with salt are a perfect starchy nutrient. It is recommended that they are baked or boiled and wrapped in foil so they can be easily carried in your Bento box or in your fuel belt. Rice balls are another salty starch recommended. Both are easy to absorb.
I asked runners and triathletes to tell me their favorite pre or post workout food/drink and here are some of their answers...
- Bagel with peanut butter and honey
- One cup of cooked oatmeal with 2 tablespoons of honey
- Banana and one cup of coconut water
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
- Small piece of grilled chicken with one cup of rice (night before the race)
- Cup of green tea and two boiled eggs
- Wild salmon with avocado
- Cup of coffee (with almond milk) and cinnamon dusted apple slices
- Egg white omelet
- Smoothie with turmeric
What are some of your favorite fuel sources for your workouts?
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