For a runner to maintain and promote peak performance he/she should have proper running diet nutrition. This running diet for runners must include proper portions of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. A runner’s diet is made up of different food he/she takes. Nutrition is the way the food gives nourishment to the body. Good nutrition in the simple text means your body is getting all the minerals, vitamins and nutrients it needs for proper body functioning. Therefore having a healthy diet is very necessary to get the best nutrition the body needs. People from different age groups have different nutritional needs that mean they should have the different foods that provide them the necessary nutrition. In the same way a man has different nutrition needs than a woman or a child. In addition to this the height, weight and the daily activities a person does also changes his or her nutrition needs.

Carbohydrates in a running diet nutrition is the most important. It should make up 60 to 65 percentage of the calorie intake. For athletes carbohydrates are the best source of energy. Research proves that our body work more efficiently with carbohydrates than with proteins and fats. Carbohydrates good source includes rice, potatoes, fruits, whole grain and starchy vegetables.

Proteins in diet are used to repair body cells. For most of the people protein intake should be about 15% to 20% of the diet. Runners who runs long distances should have .75 grams of proteins per pound of the body weight. Runners should have protein from sources that are low in fat and cholesterol. Common examples of this include low-fat dairy products, whole grains, beans and lean meats.

Fat in diet which is more that 20% of your total diet will quickly give you weight therefore avoid high fatty things in your diet. Low fat diet can be achieved by taking nuts, cold water fish and omega 3 fat products

Vitamins in a runner’s diet do not provide them energy but still are important in their diet. During running and exercising body produce compounds called free radicals which damages cells and tissues. Here role of vitamins come which (particularly vitamins C, E and A) neutralize free radicals.

Minerals in runner’s diet are also very important. The most important minerals include calcium and iron. Calcium makes the bones stronger and prevents osteoporosis. An average runner should have 1000 to 1300 mg of calcium per day. Common examples of calcium in diet are dark leafy vegetables, beans, and eggs. Iron helps in delivering oxygen to body cells. Iron provides energy to runners running long distances. Men should have 18 mg and women should have 8 mg of iron per day in their diet. Iron can be get from scallops, nuts, shrimp, green vegetables and apples.

Sodium and other electrolytes are lost from the body through sweat during running. Therefore it becomes necessary for runners to replace the lost quantity in the body. Runners should have a sports drink and eating some pretzels after running. Taking in salts also helps to replace lost sodium.

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