I’m just back from running the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and boy,what an experience! Exercising all day at high altitude requires the 4 big sports performance enhancers:
- salt
- water
- high-glycemic carbs
- caffeine
…in other words, lots of the tasty processed foods you can’t normally justify!
Crackers, energy bars, granola bars, pretzels, energy drinks, candy, bread, chocolate-covered espresso beans are all good ways to get quick energy when you’re in the middle of serious endurance exercise. You actually need low-fiber, high-calorie foods at this time because they are fast and easy to digest. Your stomach isn’t too good at digesting high-fiber foods when your muscles are using up most of your blood and oxygen.
Enjoy these junky foods during long bouts of exercise because after you recover, it’s time to get back to the fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins and unprocessed foods that are full of nutrients and fiber.
We all crave a little junk food sometimes and, in my book, this is one good reason to take up endurance sports!
