Guest Blogger: Team Beef Runner Katie Morris, Scott County ![]() When people think of a runner’s diet, they may imagine loaves of bread, large spaghetti suppers and mounds of mashed potatoes. It is true that running requires muscle-fueling carbohydrates but the idea that those must come from starchy bread products is far from the truth. Earlier this year I set out to revamp my highly processed diet into one focused around whole foods and the results have been pleasantly surprising. When I first began running in 2007, I took “carb-loading” very seriously. The night before a long run I would plan a pasta feast and the next morning I would slather peanut butter on bagels or toast. This often led to cramping after my run was over but I thought these types of foods were necessary for a runner to get through a long run. After years of eating this way I became intrigued with the idea of cleaning up my diet. To get the ball rolling I committed to the Whole30, an eating plan designed to be a short- term nutritional reset. For 30 days I ditched sugar, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, dairy, gluten and legumes in favor of fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood, eggs and good fats from fruit, oils, nut and seeds. I experienced many benefits such as higher energy levels, improved quality of sleep and loss of inches. My favorite part of the program, hands down, was the food I got to eat. While I no longer strictly follow the Whole30 framework, I have continued to focus on meats, vegetables, fruits and fats. Beef in particular continues to play a large role in my family’s meals. Unquestionably, the cut of beef we use the most is the flank steak. It is affordable, quick and easy to cook and has great nutritional stats. Best of all, even my picky 3 and 6-year-old boys will eat it.
Here are some of the ways we enjoy it:
These changes to my diet have, if anything, improved my running. I have more energy to train, I am able to fuel my body in way that is filling and delicious, and I never have to turn down a good steak. Even without the typical bagel and pasta, I still get plenty of carbs to help me get across that finish line at my goal time.
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AuthorKiah Twisselman {All thoughts and opinions are that of the authors and do not directly reflect the ideas and beliefs of the Kentucky Beef Council.}
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