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Nutrition for Cross Country Runners

When explaining nutrition for cross country runners or starting out as a new runner, there are so many things to think about. This post will help you understand a proper cross country runner diet.

As a runner, some of the things you probably think about are:

“What shoes should I buy?” “Where do I fit running into my schedule?” “Do I need a GPS watch?” “What do I eat?” “How do I eat during a really long run?”

Among the many things to consider for a beginner runners diet or cross country runner diet, nutrition is one of the most important aspects to focus on when incorporating more exercise and mileage.

Many people who get into running too quickly amp up mileage without changing their diets, which can quickly lead to underfueling and female overtraining symptoms, and even relative energy deficiency syndrome.

I know all of that sounds like a mouthful, but I promise we’ll explain it.

While you can eventually work your way up to the half or full marathon distance if that’s a goal for you (and if so, check out marathon nutrition 101), starting slow and steady is great.

Slowly upping your mileage and nutrition is important to allow the body to adapt.

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Nutrition for Cross Country Runners

Below are 4 key evidence-based tips for a cross country runner diet and for new runners to help keep you focused and energized throughout your training.

You’ll learn everything you need to know about what to eat before a cross country race.

egg noodles with crispy tempeh and green beans
Air Fryer Tempeh, a delicious vegan meal for runners

1. Eat The Right Amount of Macronutrients

Whether you’re training for a 10k (check out what to eat before a 10k) or half marathon, eating right counts.

If you’re looking for the best foods for running, those don’t exist because we are all individuals and have different needs and preferences. However, the proportion of macronutrients matters.

You may have heard the term macronutrients as the diet trend “count your macros.”

Although you don’t need to track or count every single thing that is going into your body, it’s still important to be aware of what you’re eating to get the right amount of macronutrients for runners to help fuel your training.

To ensure you’re getting enough for a cross country runner diet, aim to have 45-65% of your calories from carbohydrates, like we discuss with the athletes plate method. 

High Fat Foods for Runners (fish, eggs, nuts, cheese)

Macronutrients are classified as carbohydrates, protein, and fat. As a runner, your primary focus is going to be on carbohydrates. Carbs are the body’s main energy source.

When you eat carbohydrates, they get stored in your muscle and liver as glycogen to be used for energy when running. It’s important to keep these glycogen stores from being depleted so you can stay energized throughout your training.

To understand more about these pantry staples for runners, grab one of my athletes grocery list to print and guide you in your grocery shopping.

This looks like filling ⅓-½ of your plate with carbohydrates at meal times and including them in your snacks throughout the day. 

homemade chicken kebabs on white rice on gray bowl

In order to recover properly from a workout or run, you also need to get adequate amounts of protein. Aiming to get 20%-35% of your calories from protein will help rebuild your muscles and promote recovery.

Including a protein source (with leucine!) with each meal and snack should help you hit this goal.

Protein needs for runners vary depending on the type of workout, but can be between 1.4-2.0 g/kg of body weight.

Lastly, fat is needed to provide sustained energy and to help protect your joints. Aim for 10-30% of your daily calories from fat.

Meeting your fat intake can be easy by topping dishes with “healthy fats” like avocados, nuts, olive oils, and seeds.

Those are great ranges to start with for a female cross country runner diet.

Balancing these macronutrients will help to keep you strong and sustained throughout your training and help improve your recovery, too. 

Athletes performance plate

Credit: US Olympic Committee

2. Stay Hydrated

Hydration status can make a profound impact on a run. You can do everything correctly from a macronutrient standpoint but if you aren’t hydrated, your training (and health) will suffer.

During a run, fluid is lost through the skin as sweat (helping to regulate body temperature), and is lost through our lungs when we breathe.

Some of the best drinks for runners are easy to make in your own kitchen.

In fact, here are some of my favorite homemade electrolyte water recipes.

homemade watermelon electrolyte drink with lemon and salt

Running in hot and humid conditions increases the amount of water that you need as an athlete.

The general rule of thumb is to aim for half of your body weight in ounces to meet your basic needs, but it’s crucial to include more water as exercise duration and intensity is increased.

urine chart for dehydration

One great way to help determine hydration status is by assessing urine color. A light lemonade color suggests you are likely hydrated.

If you find that you have a white residue on your clothes or face after a workout or you’re prone to cramping, sodium intake may need to be increased to help you stay hydrated during a run.

I have several favorite electrolyte products for runners.

Electrolytes for runners are very important, especially in warmer temperatures. You can read more about summer hydration tips and winter running hydration here.

Ucan fueling
Click here to order

3. Eat a Pre-Workout Snack

In order to remain fueled and focused during your run, it’s important to include a pre workout snack.

Have you ever gone out on a run and felt fatigued? Had heavy legs? Or felt sluggish? If your answer is yes, your body is likely telling you it needs more nutrition.

Here are some ideas for what to eat before running in the morning.

clear mason jar with top open with chia pudding and banana slices

The purpose of a pre-workout snack is to top off glycogen stores, and it’s a great way to help meet our overall nutrition needs for the day.

When selecting a snack, you want to focus mostly on carbohydrates and reduce protein, fat, and fiber to help avoid any GI upset or runners stomach symptoms.

Having around 30g of carbohydrates 30 minutes to one hour prior to a run will give you that extra boost of energy to get through your workout.

Some easy pre workout snacks include: 

4. Recover with a Post Workout Snack

Lastly, we need to focus on the 3 R’s of recovery: Refuel, Rebuild and Rehydrate when thinking about a cross country runner diet. What we eat after running can really benefit us.

Contrary to popular belief, you are not done with your workout once you stop running.

Instead, you are done with your workout once you have had your post recovery snack.

The best post run meal or snack should focus on a ratio of 3:1 of carbohydrates to protein.

For example, if your snack has 30g of carbohydrates you want to pair it with 10g of protein. This combination helps to replenish the glycogen stores in your muscles while helping to repair muscle damage done during the workout.

Some great post workout snack ideas include: 

  • Chocolate Milk 
  • Greek yogurt with fruit 
  • Turkey Pita with an Apple
  • Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
Chocolate milk after a run

A common question I always get is when to have the post workout snack.

While time ranges vary considering on who you ask as well as your training goals and future training, I always recommend the sooner you can start your recovery nutrition the better. 

If you’ve only done a short run or workout, you may choose to skip the pre or post workout snack, depending on the intensity and your goals.

This is where working with a dietitian can be helpful to form an individual nutrition plan!

Adding these nutrition tips into your training regimen can help improve energy levels, performance, and recovery.

It is a lot to focus on all at once, so take one tip you want to start with and slowly try to incorporate it, rather than aiming for all four at once.

Nutrition is very individualized. If you have any questions related to your individual needs, work 1-1 with a sports dietitian to help you fuel your training!

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