Tag Archives: recovery meal

Heatwave hacks to help you run in the sun

It is easy to lose count of the number of heatwaves we have already been sweltering through this summer as the UK keeps breaking its own records. It wasn’t that long ago that the ‘British summer’ was synonymous with having endless weeks of a rainy, dismal washout. However, now it means literally living in drought conditions with temperatures hot enough to start forest fires. Of course, most people would welcome these same high temperatures if they were on beach holiday, drinking out of straw from a coconut. Even so, it doesn’t make being stuck at home, trying to live and work in such sweaty conditions, any more bearable.  

The prospect of exercising outside and sweating even more is almost unthinkable. But what if you’ve already committed to running in some autumnal event? Working out in an overly air-conditioned gym might be one solution but it might also be an easy recipe for a summer head cold. Though the alternative of stubbornly sticking to your training schedule and running outside in the heat like a desert martyr can be particularly challenging. Luckily, there are some running, hydration and fuelling hacks that are easy to take on which can help you exercise and enjoy the outdoors safely.

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Is fibre the new protein?

I have spent more time lately thinking about fibre than I’d care to admit, but it is not entirely my fault. Because almost as a natural progression to the endorsement of anything gut-related, fibre is the buzzword of the moment. At least among health influencers, nutrition gurus and pretty much anyone with a healthy opinion. It’s as if health experts worldwide hadn’t been recommending eating a high fibre diet for the past 50 years. After all, the evidence has been crystal clear. Eating a diet high in fibre reduces the risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. It also aids digestion, promotes good gut health, helps to manage your weight, lower your cholesterol and keeps your blood sugar stable. So while adults have long been advised to get at least 30g fibre each day, it is suddenly being hailed as the secret to wellness. Better late than never, I guess.  

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Put a Spring in your step with these recovery tips

After taking part in the recent BMO Vancouver Marathon, I am now firmly in recovery mode. But like many people who have just completed an endurance event this spring, once you cross the finish line it feels like you are entering into unchartered territory. It doesn’t seem to matter if you have just run your first race or you are a seasoned veteran. And it makes no difference whether you ran a marathon, a half or you conquered some other epic feat. Because after spending so many weeks and months laser-focused on training for your event, it can be difficult to know what to do next to fully recover.

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Skyr-y days ahead

I am sure that I am not alone in finding that whenever I return from an unforgettable holiday, I like to try and hold onto it just a little bit longer. Sometimes this means I’ll be wearing the same touristy tee and drinking from a new ‘I heart (insert country here)’ mug for days on end. But more often I like to try to recreate some of the dishes and flavours that I enjoyed eating while away. Almost unconsciously my usual shopping list changes and I find myself filling my supermarket trolley with familiar holiday ingredients. Which explains why since recently returning from Iceland – the country, not the supermarket – I can’t seem to stop reaching for some skyr.

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Would you run for burritos?

As a Registered Nutritionist I work with parents to help ensure their children can eat a healthy balanced diet that is full of variety. Needless to say, this can be extremely challenging and stressful if their child is going through a bit of a picky eating stage. But one thing that can work wonders and even motivate very fussy children to eat is to introduce an element of reward for trying new foods. However, the golden rule that should always be followed is that the reward for eating should never be food-related. In other words, using a more carrot than stick approach but not literally. The simple reason why is because awarding a liked food as a prize for doing something difficult doesn’t work effectively nor does it foster a healthy attitude towards eating. But oddly enough, as soon as you become an adult this rule is positively flouted. Especially amongst runners because favourite foods are regularly used as incentives and rewards for doing something challenging.

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