Runners FOOD FOR Winter
Winter health aims for runners: protect against winter infections, support the immune function and promote circulation and blood flow in the cold weather.
In this episode we focus on 4 seasonal fruits and vegetables to support health and running performance during the winter months.
We outline the nutritional properties of each and consider how they can form part of your meal plan with some menu ideas.
Finally, we share an example 1-day meal plan using these 4 winter foods.
The 4 foods we discuss are; Butternut Squash, Cranberries, Pears and Beetroot
Nutritional Properties of Butternut Squash – a great source of carbohydrate, Vitamin C, and B vitamins – supportive of immune system, energy production and soft tissue support.
Nutritional Properties of Cranberries – packed full of phytonutrients, in particular proanthocyanidin (PAC) helpful to prevent and treat infections. Many studies highlight positive effect on urinary tract infections. The key mechanism being that PACs inhibit the adhesion of bacteria to the wall of the urinary tract.
Nutritional Properties of Pears – contain the phytonutrient epicatechin, a compound thought to be involved in the contraction and relaxation of arteries, so supportive of our cardiac cardiac health.
Nutritional Properties of Beetroot – contain nitrates which help promote blood flow and they have been shown to help dilate blood vessels. This helps to enable an increase and efficient flow of oxygen through the blood vessels, which clearly is going to provide us with more energy and for our running. Beet greens are also nutrient dense providing calcium, iron and vitamin C.
KEY TAKE AWAYS:
1.Butternut Squash for carbohydrate, vitamin C, and B vitamins for fuel, energy and supporting your immune system
2.Cranberries for Proanthocyanidin (PAC) to support immune system, protect against infections, especially urinary tract infections
3.Pears for Epicatechin to support blood flow and contraction and relaxation of arteries
4.Beetroot for nitrates to support dilation of blood vessels and efficient flow of oxygen via blood vesselsIntroduction
Related Topics:
Disclaimer:
The suggestions we make during this episode are for guidance and
advice only, and are not a substitute for medical advice or treatment.
If you have any concerns regarding your health, please contact
your healthcare professional for advice as soon as possible.
Aileen Smith and Karen Campbell host RUNNERS HEALTH HUB. A place for like-minded female runners who are looking for simple ways to support running performance, energy, endurance, and general great health.
if this is your first time your show and you’d like to know more about us and She Runs Eats Performs please check out our TRAILER.
If you're ready to make learn more about how you may introduce easy nutrition into your running and training plan join our Easy Nutrition For Healthy Runners Online Programme for short videos, recipes, downloads and LIVE training and Q&A.
As a THANK YOU to you as one of our valued listeners, we have a special offer for you use COUPON CODE POD to get 33% discount off the full price which brings the price to £199.
If you’d like help from Karen and Aileen to design a personalised sports nutrition plan for your running - please contact us at hello@runnershealthhub.com
Happy Running!
Aileen and Karen
