Alright what’s the status quo on pop tarts as fuel for high school distance runners. I have a generally healthy diet of oatmeal, whole grains, granola bars, fruits, veggies, eggs, lean meats/fish, steak once a week, etc. I do often find I have a sweet tooth especially after runs and find myself craving strawberry pop tarts weirdly enough more than anything. I was wondering if it’s okay for a high school distance runner (18 yrs, MALE, 5’8.5, 110 pounds) who runs around 50 mpw to indulge in some pop tarts every now and then? I understand that pop tarts have HFCS in them, so would it be more wise to resist my cravings for these delectable sweet treats? This sounds like a joke question but I am being dead serious.
Pop tarts as fuel?!
High School Running
Distance
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Sorry, what I meant to add at the end was the following: will eating strawberry pop tarts a couple times a week as a male high school distance runner negatively impact my running and/or negatively affect my performance?
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Pathetic loser? I knew LR was toxic, but chill bro.
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You do you, brother.
However, you might want to try making something like scones. Here's a recipe. These are delicious, filling, and much much healthier than Pop Tarts. If you do continue noming on the tarts, try to do so in moderation.
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/recipes/2019/01/09/scones-savory-sweet-breakfast-afternoon-tea-lemon-blueberry-ham-cheddar-nut-recipe/stories/201812270182 -
Lets be honest, if you are asking letsrun, then you have admitted you are not dedicated enough to make even the simplest of sacrifices to be the best. In this case, eat and be happy.
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Pop tarts are not healthy, but as long as you eat mostly healthy, something bad isn't going to make the least bit of difference.
Lets get to the important things though. You are severely UNDERweight. Your bmi is 16.7. This is why you won't improve, not the pop tarts. As a male distance runner, your bmi should be in the 18.5-19 range. I wouldn't call a diet that has you 15 lbs underweight on only 50 mpw healthy. Eat all the pop tarts you want. -
You have an eating disorder.
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/types/orthorexia -
jojorunner wrote:
Alright what’s the status quo on pop tarts as fuel for high school distance runners. I have a generally healthy diet of oatmeal, whole grains, granola bars, fruits, veggies, eggs, lean meats/fish, steak once a week, etc.
Lol love when highschool kids talk like this as if they don't just eat whatever their mom cooks for them
Pop tarts are awesome though. -
Use it as fuel. Pop tarts doesn’t seem that bad compared to the three years where I’d only drink dark coffee or energy drinks and run.
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Eat them and enjoy them. As long as you have a healthy diet and are making sure that you get the right balance of nutrients, etc, you can have your junk food. From what you listed as your weight, you are very thin, so eat more of the nutritious dinners and enjoy your treats. I agree with the above poster that you need to gain some weight. 110 is awful thin for a guy that is 5'8.5.
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Believe it or not, I actually prepare my own healthy meals all by myself
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You mean sacrificing eating pop tarts? If so, are you saying that they will negatively impact my running? Because that’s my entire question! I’m 100% willing to sacrifice them to be great, that’s why I asked if they are detrimental to a runners diet.
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jojorunner wrote:
You mean sacrificing eating pop tarts? If so, are you saying that they will negatively impact my running? Because that’s my entire question! I’m 100% willing to sacrifice them to be great, that’s why I asked if they are detrimental to a runners diet.
Being so underweight is more likely detrimental to you than eating some pop tarts. -
You’re skinny so no, it’s not detrimental to your running. I found that when I was younger, they were an easy pre-run or workout snack for fuel. I would say to try substituting it sometimes for something for a little more substance if you’re eating it post run.. like try peanut butter and jelly, cereal with banana and whole milk, etc to get some other nutrients. Or if you’re really fancy, peanut butter banana and yogurt or ice cream for a smoothie.
The nutritionist at my college would tell the men’s team to eat cereal for snacks since they were all so small and always hungry! -
Eat them. They will not hurt your running. If you were overweight or not eating other nutrient rich food, then you shouldn’t eat them, but you are thin and eat a healthy diet. If anything, the calories will help you.
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jojorunner wrote:
You mean sacrificing eating pop tarts? If so, are you saying that they will negatively impact my running? Because that’s my entire question! I’m 100% willing to sacrifice them to be great, that’s why I asked if they are detrimental to a runners diet.
They have high fructose corn syrup which is very bad for your body. Yes they are harmful. Not in the short term but in the long term. -
I understand that they won’t affect my weight and will help me put on healthy weight but will they ruin my aerobic fitness and muscular gains from running workouts and the mileage?
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Leaving aside that your BMI is absurdly low...
A few sweets, especially post-run, are not going to have a negative impact on your running. If there's one time to have a lot of simple sugars, it's post run, as it will immediately be stored as muscle glycogen and bring your blood sugar levels back up.
Any other time of the day, it's best to avoid too many simple sugars. -
I believe in "Running With the Buffaloes", Adam Goucher's pre-race meal was Pop-Tarts and Gatorade. He was more than all right.
