What can I eat to improve my performance? This is the question foremost in every runner's mind – and the answer, almost too easy and simple to believe: enough carbohydrates.
Few people realise that carbohydrate is the best-proven performance enhancing substance – and it’s legal!
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How does it work?
Carbohydrates are the main fuel source during hard training and racing. Fat is also a fuel source, but is only utilised at low intensities. At race pace, you predominantly use carbohydrate as fuel as it yields energy at a much faster rate than fat.
Unfortunately, unlike fat, your body can only store a small amount of carbohydrate in your liver and muscles – these limited stores can become depleted within 90 min. of hard exercise, and as soon as these stores start running low, fatigue sets in (known as “hitting the wall”).
Therefore, by replacing your carbohydrate stores on a daily basis and especially during and after training and racing, you can maintain and/or spare your bodily carbohydrate stores, thereby delaying fatigue and improving your performance.
What should your training diet look like?
Carbohydrates should form the bulk of your meals/snacks to ensure refuelling of your carbohydrate stores on a daily basis:
e.g. bread/ pasta/ rice/ couscous/ potato/ vegetables/ fruit/ low fat milk/ yoghurt or drinking yoghurt (Yogi-sip); add some concentrated carbohydrates to help boost your carbohydrate intake for optimal carbo-loading e.g. jam/ syrup/ honey/ energy drinks/ cool drinks (avoid caffeine and alcohol as these increase urine production = dehydrate you)/ jelly tots/ jelly babies/ marshmallows/ fruit juice.
People who do not like the sweetness of these concentrated carbohydrates, or simply struggle to eat enough carbohydrates, can include “plain or neutral” glucose polymer powder (Refuel, Fastfuel) to their meals and/or drinks which will also help to boost their carbohydrate intake.
Drink plenty of fluids leading up to the race. The colour of your urine should always be light/pale yellow.
Optimise your training capacity
A sufficient amount of carbohydrates during training is as crucial to your overall performance as is sufficient carbohydrates during racing.
Concentrated carbohydrates (high GI foods) are the food items of choice during and/or immediately after training or races as it is easy to eat (not very filling) and provide energy at a fast rate. It can be in liquid or solid form, depending on individual preference and comfort. Most people find drinking easier than eating during exercise. In this way, you can meet both your energy and fluid demands at the same time.
During a long race like the Comrades, you might feel hungry, then, eating solid forms of carbohydrates is fine – as long as they are low easily digestible like potatoes (with a little bit of salt if you like), bananas etc. AND don’t forget to still keep on drinking. Remember to practise what you’re going to eat/drink during the Comrades beforehand, for example during long training sessions and/or minor races.
Exercise and competition
During exercise and competition one should aim for a carbohydrate intake of 30-60g per hour; and 400-600 ml fluid per hour of hard training or competition, depending on body size, pace, weather conditions and most importantly, what you feel comfortable with.
Refuel your carbohydrate stores as soon as possible after exercise / racing. 1-2 x 50 g carbohydrate portions should be ingested within two hours post-exercise for optimal recovery. If you don’t feel hungry at the time, then drink your carbohydrate energy drink, followed by a carbohydrate-rich meal or snack as soon as possible thereafter.
An additional benefit of taking a sufficient amount of carbohydrate before, during and after hard training and racing, is that it helps to give your immune system a boost and decreases your risk of infections.
The following portions each provide 50g of carbohydrate:
500 ml Refuel / FastFuel / soft drink
800 ml Isostar / Game
750 ml Energade
650 ml Powerade
1 jam or banana sandwich/roll
3 medium potatoes
9 jelly babies
3 pieces of fruit
3 ½ table spoons raisins
What about protein?
The main function of protein for an athlete is to help build and repair damaged muscle. Active people do need more protein than sedentary people, but there is a cut-off limit beyond which more protein doesn’t have any extra benefit!
Most people (active or inactive) eat much more protein than they need. Only a very small percentage of athletes might need to use a protein supplement e.g. those with a poor appetite, athletes on energy restricted diets, or strict vegetarians.
Exciting new research show that adding a small amount of protein to your post-exercise recovery snack will increase the rate of muscle repair, and enhance the rate of carbohydrate refuelling. In general, you will have a faster recovery!
Examples of post-exercise snacks providing 50g Carbohydrates + 10g protein:
300ml low fat sweetened yoghurt or Yogisip
chicken in pita bread
15g biltong + 500-1000ml sports drink
cereal + low fat milk
200ml low fat yoghurt + low fat Granola or Nutrigrain or Safari fruit bar
Lastly, whilst eating sufficient amounts of carbohydrate and protein, aim to keep your fat intake low (note: not completely fat free). A low-fat intake, combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise helps to keep your body fat down. Excess body fat is detrimental to your health, as well as your performance as it’s a dead weight that slows you down, tires you out much quicker and increases your risk of injuries.
REMEMBER: starving yourself is not conducive to successful weight loss or performance.
- (Amanda Claassen, Registered Dietician (SA), Specialising in Sports Nutrition)
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