Healthy Eating Myths Wise runners eat this fall fruit often. Heres why you should fit them into your diet received an apple in their postrace snack bags (it’s the Big Apple, get it?). Smart runners eat the crisp fall fruit every day. Why? Here are five good reasons runners should consider heading to an apple orchard this season.
To Get (or Stay) Slim
Low in calories (less than 100 per fruit), apples are rich in a type of fiber called pectin, which studies show may help curb your appetite. One study showed eating an apple at breakfast helped subjects eat fewer calories at lunch. (Need a new breakfast staple? Try this Other Hearst Subscriptions.)
Should You Eat Before or After a Run
Pectin and other phytonutrients in apples help lower circulating cholesterol levels. A study from the Netherlands showed an apple a day cut death from heart disease by 50 percent. Another study, from UC Davis, showed eating two apples daily protected arteries from harmful plaque buildup.
RELATED: Prep great meals (in less time!) with Meals on the Run.
slow-cooker apple-cinnamon oatmeal
Quercetin, a flavonoid found in apples, may have far-reaching effects such as boosting endurance, improving immune health, and slowing the aging process. Eat the peel for the most benefits.
Give A Gift
With 20 grams of carbs, apples supply energy for your run (and also 4+ grams of fiber, which some runners tolerate better than others).
Because They’re Easy
Portable, durable apples stay fresh and crispy in the fridge for weeks. Up your intake by adding apples to salads and stuffing, baking them for breakfast, stirring into yogurt, or serving with cheese as an afternoon snack.
