The Best Snacks for Runners On the Go

Guest Post August 28, 2017 eat, Snack, Snacks

Editor’s Note: This post is written by guest contributor, Mary Walton, and has been edited for length and clarity. The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Minneapolis Running.

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As runners, we’re constantly on the move. There’s simply no time to stop for a sit-down dinner most days when you’re already preoccupied with answering emails, managing family and friends, watching for oncoming vehicles and pedestrians and, of course, putting one foot in front of the other. Luckily there are a variety of quick, on-the-go snacks available for runners.

7 Snacks for Runners on the Go

Here are some of the best snacks available, specifically designed for runners.

1. Overnight Oats

Easily one of my favorite runner snacks, this is also one of the easiest things to make. Simply take a mason jar, fill with oats and mix with soy or almond milk. Pop it in your fridge overnight, and you’ll be ready to rumble. Pour it into a small plastic tub, and you’ve got yourself a high-energy snack whenever you need it. Add as much chopped up fruit or nuts as you want!

2. Bananas

The God of all runner foods, bananas have to make an appearance on this list. It’s as though bananas have evolved themselves, especially for runners! This high-energy, slow release fruit can simply be chucked into your bag and eaten whenever you need a little boost throughout your day. Don’t slip on the skin!

Kerry Cosper, a nutrition specialist for Academized and Big Assignments, explains;

“You can never underestimate just how amazing a banana actually is. Not only is the shape simply perfect for holding, but the nutritional value in a single banana is also unparalleled, giving a runner everything they need in one simple boost.”

3. Raisins

There’s no denying that raisins are simply awesome. You can buy huge bags and split up portions yourself or simply buy them readily packaged in small boxes; the choice is up to you. You’ll find around 25g of sugar per small box, ideal for giving you that boost of energy you need while you’re out and about.

4. Baby Food

Yes, you read that correctly, baby food. These highly portable and easily digestible foods have been specially designed to be full of pure ingredients and packed with vitamins and nutrients for muscle development – what more does a runner need?

There are also so many flavors to choose from that you’ll be spoiled for choice!

Michael Olson, the sports writer for Elite Assignment Help, continues;

“I suggest eating baby food to all my clients, and consistently their reaction is shock. However, after giving it a go for the first run, all of them have come back and said it was one of the best running snacks they ever had!”

5. Gummy Bears

These awesome little sweets are packed with sugar, meaning all the energy you could ever need and such a small amount of fat that this makes the ideal food companion when out on a run. Simply pop open the corner of the packet, stuff the packet in your pocket, and you’re ready to go!

6. Pretzels

If you mention this as your snack of choice out on a run with your friends, you’re sure to get some funny looks but, hear me out. Pretzels are made with a high amount of carbs as well as high levels of salt, perfect for building up your energy levels and replenishing your salt reserves lost through sweat.

Furthermore, pretzels are renowned for their low fiber content meaning you’ll feel the effects so much quicker!

7. Frozen Grapes

To conclude my list, I’ve chosen one of my favorite running snacks. Take a bag of grapes and pop them in the freezer overnight. This may seem odd but while on a run, there is nothing, and I mean nothing, more refreshing than eating a frozen grape. Not only does this help to keep your mouth and body hydrated, once you hit that juicy middle part, but it’s also like you’ve run through heaven’s gates!

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Your Favorite Snacks

What are your favorite snacks when you’re on the go? Share in the comments below.

Mary Walton is a health editor at OXEssays. She also helps sports professionals write CVs at Resume Writing Services. Mary enjoys running, and probably will try a triathlon soon. Also, she helps with content management at Assignment Writing Service.

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Dinner, Eat/

An Easy Jambalaya Recipe for Runners

I love the taste of jambalaya and the dish has a ton of potential to fit nicely into a runner’s diet. There’s a lovely saute of vegetables, a spicy kick, and usually some form of protein (smoked andouille sausage, shrimp, and/or chicken). The sauce is then cooked together with white rice which allows the rice to soak up the delicious stock and absorb in the flavor.

My runner-friendly updates to this recipe include adding more (nontraditional) vegetables and cooking the rice separately. Cooking the rice separately sacrifices some flavor but it allows you to easily make a healthier brown rice or quinoa substitution without adjusting the amount of liquid or the cooking temperature. It will also allow you to get this recipe on the table quicker since you can cook the brown rice and the sauce at the same time.

Dinner, Eat/

Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta with Crispy Bacon and Sage

It’s that wonderful time of year again! After suffering through all of the hot summer miles, runners everywhere are crushing their fall goal races, followed by enjoying the relief that comes with cooler temperatures and reduced mileage. Part of my personal post-marathon recovery always includes indulging in the things that I try to limit during training. This means comfort food, more social events, and the ability to enjoy a glass of wine on a Friday night (no long run in the morning)!
I created this Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta with Crispy Bacon and Sage recipe as part of my annual attempt to embrace pumpkin. If you love pumpkin but are getting sick of sweet desserts, this is for you!

Eat, Run/

My First Postpartum Run was with Shalane Flanagan

In August, professional runner Shalane Flanagan announced to the world that she was running the NYC Marathon in 2018 and she launched her second cookbook, Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow which she co-wrote with her friend and natural foods chef, Elyse Kopecky the same day. At the time, I was just over six weeks postpartum, and I was very slow. Still, my husband and I jumped at the chance to celebrate the launch of their new cookbook at a local event. When one of us had the option to run in a “Fun Run” with Shalane and Elyse, he and I both knew that this was my “race” to run, and he cheered me on with our infant daughter strapped to him in the Ergo baby. As I watched Shalane fight for 3rd place in last weekend’s New York City Marathon, I found myself reflecting on that August “fun run” and what it meant to me.