Running is a demanding form of exercise. To stick to it is a challenge. It is important that a runner avoids certain foods that may nullify the positive effect of running or create such bodily circumstances that makes it difficult to run well.

Certain foods appear harmless, but, they can lower a runner’s ability…and then you are baffled why you are unable to put up with your running.

Experts recommend avoiding the following foods for runners:

1. White sugar

Refined white sugar is inflammatory and notorious for triggering diabetic and cancerous conditions in body. If consumed too much at a time, it lowers immunity. One type that runners must completely avoid is high fructose corn syrup. It is found to stimulate fat storage hormone in the body, more than white sugar.

Got a sweet tooth? Use raw honey, ripe bananas, pure maple syrup, and dates.

Experts also advice to shun artificial sweeteners. Keep them to a minimum, they say. Artificial sweeteners are synthetic compounds – a reason good enough to shun them. It is seen that people who completely avoid sugar in all forms, except in fruits, found it easier to lose weight. Research shows that sweeteners hamper body’s ability to regulate calories.

2. Artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives

They are known to cause digestive troubles, irritable bowel syndrome, and food sensitivities. These are synthetic foods. Our bodies do not recognize them as food; besides, they are unnecessary for body functions.

Most packaged foods contain some or the other preservatives. The best bet: to avoid processed and packaged foods. Eat fresh, home-cooked foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh salads, and likewise.

3. Processed cooking oils

Most cooking oils are processed to the extent that they become rancid or oxidized. These oils undergo deodorizing and bleaching to remove tastes and odors. Such oils are inflammatory in nature, as they can produce free radicals that damage healthy body cells. This leads to delayed recovery among runners.

Oils to avoid: canola oil, soya oil, sunflower seed oil, grapeseed oil, corn oil, and others not labeled ‘virgin cold-pressed.’

Good oils: extra virgin olive oil and virgin coconut oil.

It also helps to alter cooking methods. Avoid deep frying and frying. Baking, roasting, and sauteing with one spoon oil is healthy.

4. Low fat foods

Yes, you read that right! We have been conditioned to think that low fat foods are healthy and beneficial for weight loss and runners. Wrong.

According to experts, “low fat” implies that salt, sugar, or thickeners have been added to the food to compensate for the lack of flavor. Now, salt (read excess sodium), sugar, and thickeners are things to avoid. Most “diet food” contain these elements. They are, in no way, healthy.

On the contrary, runners who eat full fat food, but unprocessed and natural, are found to be stronger, healthier, and better in losing extra fat. Their bodies heal faster too.

5. White flour

Is your bread whole wheat? If not mentioned in the label, avoid using it. White breads are stripped of essential nutrients. They contain no iron, bran, fiber, vitamins, and other elements that cereals and grains must contain. So, they are useless, especially for runners. They only spike your blood sugar and break down rapidly into simple sugars, making you feel hungry and low in energy after some time.

6. Heavy cream

It is time to bring your ‘creamy love’ to an end. Even a single serving of heavy cream makes all your running efforts go down the drain. Say goodbye to cream-based salads and soups too…even ice creams. Boo hoo!

No matter how teary-eyed you are, you must do this for your own sake. Running is a serious task…and it gives amazing results, if done properly and regularly. So, imagine the new, fitter, toned you.

Ever wondered why heavy creams are known so? Because they are heavy to the digestive system. They simply sit in your stomach, difficult to digest, and making it more difficult for you to walk, forget run. They make you lethargic.

7. French fries

 

Convenient food, right? Well, they are a runner’s enemy. Not the fault of potato here. Blame the partially hydrogenated vegetable oils in which the potatoes are fried. This produces high amount of omega-6 fatty acids, which nullify the positive effect of omega-3 fatty acids, saturated fats, and loads of calories. The humble potato turns into the worst food a runner can have.

No wonder french fries accelerate inflammation among runners. French fries also contain excess salt. This food is bad for knees, feet, heart, and whole body.

8. Energy drinks

They give you everything your body does not need, except energy. No matter what the dollar-churning energy drink industry says, this liquid is worthless for runners. They only titillate your taste buds through their chemical cocktail present in the formula.

First, they contain sugar. Then, they are loaded with all kinds of artificial sweeteners, flavors, preservatives, colors, emulsifiers, and what not. These are elements that you must avoid…and you are getting all of them packed together in one energy drink.

Those athletes and fit-bodied people shown in commercials drinking this liquid are only endorsing the product. Ask their trainers.

Water is the best energy drink. Add some citrus fruit to it, if you hate plain water.

9. Protein bars

They are similar to energy drinks. Most of them are found to artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and soy protein isolate. The last one is genetically modified soy, something that runners are better off without. You can take your protein from more natural and healthier sources like legumes, dairy, and others.

Certain protein bars are found to be laxative and create a bloating effect. Runners don’t need these, right?

It is the first step that is difficult. Once you stop consuming the above foods, gradually, your taste buds will adjust and then, you will actually not desire them. Manufacturers market processed foods by adding ingredients that trick the brain and get it addicted. Your job is to trick your brain that you need no such stuff.

Remembers; runners are happy with natural, wholesome diet. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day, instead of the typical three heavy meals.

Happy running!