17th February 2016 One of the most frequent questions I get asked by runners after a talk is how to prevent or cope with gastro-intestinal (GI) problems and transit troubles during training and races. It’s not an issue many like to talk about openly but it’s one that’s surprisingly common among endurance athletes. It is…
13th October 2015 One of the most common questions I get asked is about pre-workout nutrition and meal timing before a workout. How long before a workout should you eat to get the most benefit? Here’s my advice… The timing of your food before a workout can make a big difference to how you feel…
Updated 20th April 2016 What you eat and drink the day before the marathon as well as on the day can have a big effect on your performance. You’ll be burning approximately 2,600 calories over the course so consuming the right foods, avoiding dehydration and getting the timing right are all-important when it comes to…
4th January 2015 After a workout, good nutrition habits help your body to adapt to the stress imposed by exercise, so you can become fitter, stronger and faster. Whether you’re exercising to improve performance or build muscle, here are 5 nutritional strategies you should build into your training programme. Eat the correct amount of carbs…
20th June 2014 Sugar in its various guises (gels, sports drinks, bars, etc) is a long-standing staple of athletes’ diets but with the tsunami of negative press surrounding it, should you now be cutting it out? The simple answer is no. People who work out regularly respond differently to sugar than those who don’t. For…
1 November 2013 A few well-known sports scientists have recently challenged the conventional high carb diet dogma and begun promoting instead the idea that athletes can perform better on a low carb diet. What’s the evidence and should we all be cutting out carbs? Here’s my take on the low carb vs. high carb debate….
28 May 2013 The Paleo Diet has gained an almost cult-like following since the book by Professor Loren Cordain was first published in 2002. No longer is it seen as an offshoot of ‘complementary and alternative medicine’, now many regular exercisers are jumping on the low-carb Paleo bandwagon. So, should we all be switching? First,…
29 May 2012 The recent sunny spell has been good news for athletes hoping for a performance boost. Exposure to UVB rays raises levels of vitamin D in the body, which can help muscles function better, say scientists. Vitamin D is well known for its role in bone health but recent research suggests it may…
What and how much you eat before training can make a big difference to your workout. Choosing the wrong foods, eating too much or too little, or eating at the wrong time can affect your performance and leave you feeling hungry, uncomfortable or unwell. Eating the right pre-exercise meal at the right time ensures that…
