i mentioned in my last post about my constant hunger and atlanta apples had a question about it.
What you said about your constant hunger got my attention — when I’m running high(ish) mileage, I just cannot figure out what to do about it. I know you’ve posted about what you eat before, but are there any go-to snacks that you eat in the afternoon or before bed when you’re that hungry? Or can you somehow ignore it? Would love some advice…
my answer? i snack, A LOT.
this is what my desk looks like on a daily basis at work:
i bring a lot of food with me (i often joke that’s how i get through the day), but i definitely have some go to snacks that help me out. it does depend on what time of day i am running, but typically i have been doing evening runs lately so my snack pattern will be:
morning (post breakfast):
greek yogurt with blueberries and granola
afternoon (post lunch):
zbar (with lunch), apple, plain oatmeal, and a banana about an hour before i run.
post run:
i usually snack on something when i get home from running quick. when i am in my really healthy modes i try to eat cut up veggies with hummus or something on that lines, but a lot of days right now its some crackers with cheese.
post dinner:
i usually have to eat something or my stomach will keep me awake at night, so i try to have an apple (which also can solve my sweet tooth craving), a small bowl of cereal, or a mini luna bar (love these!).
some days i snack more, some days i snack less, just depending on the week, what i ate for lunch, and how i am feeling. i do make sure to snack on something every couple hours because i do get hungry, but i think just listening to your body to know the difference between if you really are hungry and need something to eat, or if you are bored is important. especially when running/working out a lot it is so important to give your body the fuel it needs. it definitely makes a difference in your performance.
so those are some of my favorite snacks! what are yours?
also here some of my previous posts regarding food/eating:
hungry – dealing with hunger during marathon training
how i fuel (during)
how i fuel (pre-run)
clean it up – trying to eat cleaner
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last night i met up with the girls at one of my favorites trails – lafayette-moraga!
me, kristin, kerry, tara, maritza
and bentley 
i love being able to meet up with all the girls after work! we were all doing different distances at different speeds so we kind of broke up once we got going, but it was so nice to see everyone and to know we were all out there together. tara was doing her long run that day so i ended up running with her the entire time. we took a couple detours and went on a little adventure like we like to do (and i ended up with mud all down the back of my legs), but it just makes the run more exciting.
when i first started running my legs were dead. they were so heavy and i felt terrible. on top of it, this trail is pretty much an uphill climb the first 4 miles so that didn’t help anything, but i just kept on running. i took a gu in the middle somewhere because i just was feeling really low on energy and it definitely helped. it also helped having a buddy! it’s been a while since tara and i have ran that far together, we used to run together all the time at the end of last year, so it was really nice to chat and just have company.
we picked it up some on the way back, using the downhill to our advantage, and finished just as the sun was setting. i was so thankful to have her out there and to get all 12 miles done AND get another hillier run in too! i really would have considered cutting it short early in the run if i wasn’t out there with someone. last week i was dreading taper, after this week i think i might be ready for it!
12.0 miles/1:55:48/9:39 avg pace
a couple recovery runs and a 20 miler to go!
have a great weekend!
I love all of your tupperware – I feel like sometimes all I do is carry around tupperware full of food with me!
Good luck on the 20 this weekend!
It takes preparation to eat well on the go! Now I don't feel alone about the snacking! Have fun on your 20 miler!
your desk looks like mine. i average about 7 tupperware containers a day. you should see the size of my lunch bag!
I looooooove snacking and we have some of the same ones!
I also like the pre-packaged trail mixes that TJs sells, pumpkin seeds and lots of fruit. A LOT. Oh and light string cheese. ♥
Doggie crotch shot :-/
My husband jokes that I eat all the time. True! I snack on Zbars, low fat cottage cheese with blueberries, plain blueberries (by pint), chocolate (every night), oatmeal with blueberries (for breakfast and post dinner). I don't deny myself anything, but my rule is that I have to have my veggies and fruits (4 different colors)in first!
I often have way too much tupperware at my desk too. Some of my favorite snacks… 1/2 Cliff Bar, Larabars, greek yogurt, granola, nuts, piece of fruit, veggie sticks w/ hummus, etc.
Best wishes on the 20 miler!!
Ha — runner's really are so much alike, aren't we?! Like others have commented — my desk is also littered with plasticware filled with snacks — I have to eat every 3 hours or I'll start craving donuts and fried chicken!
Staples for me are:
– Agave (for the longest time my co-workers thought it was a bottle of whiskey)
– Plain FF greek yogurt
– Hummus — if I can't make it Costco sells individual containers of it. Yeah, I know it's not "clean" as my homemade version and the packaging is environmental unfriendly but give me a break — I work FT and have 3 kids!
– Baby carrots (w/hummus)
– Raw almonds
– Cottage cheese and blueberries
– Milk (fortunately my company keeps the fridge stocked with organic milk)
– Apples and almond butter or peanut butter w/flaxseed
– Broccoli crowns (w/hummus)
– Erin Baker's Super Granola (protein packed — hey it's the official granola of Ironman!)
BTW — did I mention my coworkers call me food nazi?
Side note: Aron just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog. Great tips, motivation, and validation that a greater community of like-minded people lead a similar, crazy, great, and exhausting lifestyle!
Junko
very inspirational! I used to just snack on fruit all day but since I realised I need more protein I try to sneak in some toast with PB and hummus when I can… Good luck on the 20 miler!
Great post! I am taking notes for when my mileage munchies hit.
I love snacking! How much time do you spend each night preparing for your next day of snacks?!? Thats my biggest problem. I'm hungry pretty much ALL day and could snack that much but I feel like I NEVER have time to pack snacks!
I've missed you & your blog while I was gone! I promise to be back to my normal commenting self asap! Hope all is well & good luck w/20 this weekend! xoxo
p.s. i love the crotch smelling bently pose! TOO funny!
Wow you do eat lots of snacks! I only have 1-2 per day, but I probably eat bigger meals. I like Kashi and Luna bars.
thank you thank you thank you!! i've been dealing with this my whole training cycle and i always have food on me no matter where i'm going or for how long i'll be gone haha!
the easiest snacks are bars or apples but if i can i bring cereal and a yogurt to munch on
Great job on the run with Tara! Your legs have every right to be tired at this point! You'll do great on the 20, I know it. Wish you could fly up here and I could return the favor by taking you on one of my favorite routes.
Traveling poses an even more difficult problem carrying easy snacks. I stock up on Luna and Mojo bars and oranges/apples. Anything easy to carry and doesn't take up too much room! Doesn't mean I don't find the occasional splurge on the road though
that's a lot of snacks! I'm just starting out, and trying to lose weight while going from walking to running to hopefully the 2011 LA Marathon. I put down 19 miles last week and only lost 1 measley pound! Do you cluster your carbs around your runs, and eat more proteins the other times? Your snack schedule looks like a lot of carbs 24/7
You don't write much about your eating habits, so it was interesting to read this!
You must be getting your nutrition right since you're running some speedy times!
My favs are greek yogurt with granola, fruit or almonds. Or fruit, granola and almost just by the handful. YUM!
Some snacks I enjoy: cottage cheese, bananas/apples w/ peanut butter, Lara Bars, graham crackers w/ peanut butter.
Those are great snack ideas…and congrats on getting those 12 miles in
thats what my desk looks like by the end of the work day too! and the kitchen sink each night when both me and the husband dump in our tupperware??? crazy! i snack a lot during the day ~ sometimes i wonder if i snack so much because i'm so bored all day at my desk or if i really need the snacks or if my body is just so use to it. my stomach will seriously growl at me if i miss a snack time! my favorite snack lately has been light string cheese
My best and most satisfying snacks are hard boiled eggs, cheese, mixed nuts and roasted chick peas. I think my body craves protein, and salt.
Ooooo, thanks for this post! I get very snacky with high mileage. MY favorite remedies? Greek yogurt with granola, plain soy milk smoothies, kashi oatmeal packets, plain nut butter, dark chocolate, grapefruits (sooooo much fiber), carrots with pb or hummus, egg puffs, mini sandwich crackers, dried fruit, etc. Haha, can you tell I like food?
Seriously I know I eat more than David and sometimes I feel crazy, but I need the fuel! This clearly made many of us feel better and I love all the ideas that everyone shared
That's what my desk looks like at work! I try to have fruit & nuts, yogurt with some cereal and more fruit, veggies with hummus, Babybel cheese… mmm, now I'm hungry!
Awesome job on the long evening run!
That's what my desk looks like at work! I try to have fruit & nuts, yogurt with some cereal and more fruit, veggies with hummus, Babybel cheese… mmm, now I'm hungry!
Awesome job on the long evening run!