Foods to add to your grocery cart this spring, these seasonal foods will keep you running strong during the spring racing season

While parts of the country are still grappling with the last of their winter weather, runners can take heart knowing that spring is on its way. Not only do the warmer temperatures mean we can finally break out our shorts and t-shirts and work on our watch tans, they also mean local produce will begin popping up on grocery store shelves. As you’re doing your shopping in the next few weeks, look out for these foods to give your nutrition a spring cleaning.

Asparagus

Asparagus season starts early, so expect these slender green stalks to show up at your local farmers market any day now. A fantastic food for runners, asparagus contains the antioxidant glutathione, which helps repair the oxidative damage that occurs in your muscles after long, hard runs. This can help reduce your recovery time so you can feel fresh for your next run.

Asparagus also contains inulin, a prebiotic fibre that supports gut health. Having a healthy gut is important for runners because it keeps your immune system strong, which becomes even more crucial when you’re in the middle of a hard training block.

Beets

These earthy veggies have been in the spotlight before, thanks to their ability to increase the levels of nitric oxide (NO) in your blood, which increases blood flow to the muscles, stimulates mitochondria growth and strengthens muscle contractions, leading to significantly enhanced endurance in athletes. (Bonus: have some watermelon with your beets to boos their effects)

Beets are also high in folate, which helps your body regenerate healthy red blood cells that are needed to transport oxygen to your muscles during activity, as well as magnesium and potassium, both important nutrients to help you recover after a run.

Kale

Kale has hefty doses of over 20 nutrients and contains more than 45 different flavanoids that fight against oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. This can help you recover faster after hard runs and reduce muscle soreness so you can continue training, day after day.

Strawberries

Local strawberries start appearing on grocery store shelves near the end of spring and the beginning of summer, and they are worth the wait. These tasty little berries contain high levels of polyphenols and vitamin C, both of which can help repair muscle damage after a run. They’re also a good source of potassium, which can replace what you lost through sweat after a warm spring run.

Salmon

While you can get salmon year-round, spring is prime time for this healthy fish. Salmon is an excellent source of DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease, improve your brain health and reduce your risk for injuries. They’re also great for fighting inflammation, which is especially important for runners, who often have higher levels of inflammation caused by heavy training. Salmon is also a great choice for runners who don’t eat dairy because it’s high in calcium and vitamin D, which are important for bone health.

Spring onion and garlic scapes

Both spring onions and garlic scapes are full of sulfur-containing compounds that fight inflammation to help speed up recovery after a hard run. Milder than regular garlic and onions, these goodies are delicious when tossed into a salad or stir fry. (As a bonus, you can often find large bundles of garlic scapes at farmers markets for barely a few bucks!)

Cucumber

The humble cucumber is a spring salad staple and contains at least 73 different phytonutrients, including Quercetin and Naringenin, two antioxidants that can reduce your risk for illness and injury. They’re also fantastic for re-hydrating after a warm run, thanks to their high water content.

posted Tuesday April 19th
by Brittany Hambleton