The beginner’s guide to nutrition
Go back to basics with some simple food rules to keep training on track, says nutritionist Louise Pyne
SUPERDUPER
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Just as picking the perfect pair of trainers is an integral part of any new running routine, your diet should also take centre stage when you’re training. Many of us focus on meticulously planning out our workouts, from how we’ll warm up to the route we’ll take, but overlooking what you’re putting onto your plate can have some serious knock-on effects – slowing down progress and leaving you lacking in the energy you need to plough through tough sessions.
A great training session starts well before you slip on your kit: in fact what you eat in the hours leading up to training can determine how your sessions goes. Fuel up the right way and you’ll have improved strength, speed and endurance, while skimping on what you put into your body will only result in low energy, fatigue and a general lack of motivation. And it’s not just what you eat before your workout that’s important. Giving your body quality foods to help it recover is also essential to working towards your fitness goals, while eating a well-thoughtout diet in between training sessions gives your body the nutrients it needs to keep immunity levels high.