Why runners can't eat whatever they want

I think the main point of the article is that runners feel like they can eat anything, so they eat a lot of sugary foods. As a result, they get heart problems.

I then think some people confuse cause and correlation.

Also, with this response you already have more than I did...

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=5709746

Hydroginated oils are everywhere so don't eat them.

I take vit. C and a multi vitamin too.

Sugary foods don't cause heart disease.

high saturated fat, red meat, low fruits/veggie consumption do cause heart problems.

Sugary foods can worsen weight gain and cause the beetus, but are less directly related to heart problems than an overall poor diet full of fried/fatty foods and no natural foods.

It would be best to avoid sugary foods AND have a healthy diet with lean meat and lots of fruits and veggies PLUS avoiding fatty and fried foods.

Sugar can cause heart problems; it worsens triglycerides and is generally terrible for you. There's a reason the WHO recommended we keep it below 5% of our calories.

Ehh no one is immortal. We all die someday.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

Ehh no one is immortal. We all die someday.

I'll believe it when it happens to me.

Once a Drinker wrote:

Sugar can cause heart problems; it worsens triglycerides and is generally terrible for you. There's a reason the WHO recommended we keep it below 5% of our calories.

True, and "sugar-free" substitutes are arguably worse for you. Avoid both.

My favorite snack is sugar cubes deep fried in Maple Bacon grease.

SMJO wrote:

My favorite snack is sugar cubes deep fried in Maple Bacon grease.

Whoa, that sounds good!

Lifelong runner, 6 marathons by age 23,then injuries forced regrouping. Ran high-mileage training age 38-48 for shorter distance (up to 100-115/week, avg 60+). Five atrial fibrulations age 45-53. High carb diet most of this time (low sugar after age 40, but high "complex carbs"). Teeth/gums were problematic, and more injuries and allergies shut down my very promising masters career by 50 (when I ran 2:11 for 800m, and that was my second-best sport).

Now age 57, switched to low-carb, higher fat/protein two years ago. A number of maladies, including allergies, nagging pains and dental inflammation have improved, as has my ability to absorb training. Haven't had that calcium test, but am hoping that lower mileage (25-60, with cross-training) will keep a lid on the damage I did on high-carb diet, while possibly allowing me the fitness to approach age-group records by age 60.

If you run, you should look into low-carb options (yes, including red meat and high saturated fat in my case). I have never felt better in my life, and it shows in every aspect.

For running to be effective, it needs to be combined with healthy eating. Runners can eat whatever they feel like sometimes, but not often. Staple foods should be fruits and veggies and minimally processed whole grains (ie quinoa, millet, oatmeal, injera (and other teff products), etc.), and beans. The problem comes when runners want to eat "whatever they want", but what they want is icecream, donuts, pizza, starbucks, etc. Those things should be rare treats, but unfortunately our society of plenty has taken them and put them everywhere.

zinjured runner wrote:

For running to be effective, it needs to be combined with healthy eating. Runners can eat whatever they feel like sometimes, but not often. Staple foods should be fruits and veggies and minimally processed whole grains (ie quinoa, millet, oatmeal, injera (and other teff products), etc.), and beans. The problem comes when runners want to eat "whatever they want", but what they want is icecream, donuts, pizza, starbucks, etc. Those things should be rare treats, but unfortunately our society of plenty has taken them and put them everywhere.

I thought that was what I wanted all the time until I actually started getting more in tune with real hunger versus emotional eating and whatnot. Turns out I do want that stuff sometimes, but usually not more than once a day, and not a huge quantity, if I let myself have it (if I don't let myself have it, then I want a lot more).

F*ck beans though. They are impossible to digest.

xenonscreams wrote:

F*ck beans though. They are impossible to digest.

100 million Mexicans beg to disagree.

Recommending eating "fruits and vegetables" is like saying that you should avoid "saturated and trans fat". One is good for you, the other one isn't.

Certain fruits in moderation (e.g. berries) is certainly good for you but you should fill up on oranges, apples and pineapple unless you want to risk CVD and diabetes.

Also, whole grains or white flour, not that big a difference. Huge insulin spike in both cases compared to fat and protein.

http://www.lauranaturopath.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/carbs-fats-protein.jpeg

A healthy well balanced diet. Key on well balanced. Fruits and veggies and zero saturated fats won't do you any good.

Beat Eater wrote:

xenonscreams wrote:

F*ck beans though. They are impossible to digest.

100 million Mexicans beg to disagree.

100 milliion Mexicans are also obese.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

A healthy well balanced diet. Key on well balanced. Fruits and veggies and zero saturated fats won't do you any good.

Right, basically, load up on saturated fats, add some n-3 fats for good measure from wild fish, then plenty of vegetables, some nuts ...

... and occasionally some fruit.