Skip to Content

16 A runner’s guide to fuelling for a marathon

Looking to jazz up your lunch box? We've got it covered

By Jane McGuire
healthy snacks for work
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below//Getty Images

We've already worked out what the best healthy smoothie recipes for runners, but if you find that you're hitting the office biscuits at 3pm, it might be worth re-thinking your meal prep. To help you jazz up your lunchbox, we've browsed Pinterest for healthy snack ideas for work, to keep you away from the sweet stuff.

1

Red peppers

healthy snacks for work
Best wireless headphones//Getty Images

Did you know, a 1% fluid loss can affect your ability to think clearly? Red peppers are high in water. Dip them in guacamole for a healthy work snack.

2

Berries

healthy work snacks
Julia Khusainova//Getty Images

What should you eat before a 5K race.

Weve already worked out what the
3

Nuts

healthy snacks for work  
What should you eat before a 5K race//Getty Images

Don't go overboard here, but add nuts to your mid-morning snack time as they're packed with good fats, that help you feel fuller for longer.

4

Eggs

healthy snacks for work
Claudia Totir//Getty Images

As scrambling eggs in the work microwave is a little, well, antisocial, why not hard boil some in the morning?

A runner’s guide to dietary fibre?

Weve already worked out what the
5

Yoghurt

healthy snacks for work

Olga Chechot / EyeEm.

6

Hummus and carrots

healthy snacks for work
Sarka Babicka//Getty Images

Hummus gives you a steady supply of energy, rather than a blood-sugar spike followed by a crash. Also great with carrots.

Weve already worked out what the
7

Peanut butter and banana

healthy snacks for work
OksanaKiian//Getty Images

Whether you choose to eat it on a ryvita, a rice cake, or just on it's own, peanut butter and banana is a power combo if you're running home. It'll give you the energy you need, without weighing you down.

8

Rice cakes

healthy snacks for work
Richard Clark//Getty Images

It's a good idea to only bring in a single portion, to stop you devouring the entire pack. Smear with spreadable cheese for a healthy mid-afternoon snack.

Weve already worked out what the
9

Roasted chickpeas

healthy snacks for work
Michael Moeller / EyeEm//Getty Images

A protein-packed snack, to make your own, roast chickpeas with olive oil and salt in an oven, stirring now and again, for about 30-minutes or until they are crispy. You can add paprika or red pepper flakes for extra flavour.

10

Energy balls

There's plenty of recipes for healthy energy balls online. Make a big batch and only bring one portion in a day to avoid munching them all after lunch.

Weve already worked out what the
11

Air-popped popcorn

healthy snacks for work
Juj Winn//Getty Images

best healthy smoothie recipes for runners.

12

Overnight oats

healthy snacks for work
Arx0nt//Getty Images

If you've run to work and need a substantial snack to keep you going till lunch, stir almonds and banana into your overnight oats for protein and fibre.

Weve already worked out what the
13

Baked sweet potato

healthy snacks for work
Westend61//Getty Images

best healthy smoothie recipes for runners.

14

Smoothies

best healthy snacks for work
Add tahini to a small baked sweet potato wedges for a protein-packed, fibre-rich snack//Getty Images

A smoothie is the perfect morning snack to kick-start your day and it can also be one of the best ways to refuel after a run. We've rounded up the Olga Chechot / EyeEm here.

Weve already worked out what the
15

Banana oat energy bars

best healthy snacks for work

These oaty combos from RW contributing chef Lydia Maruniak are the perfect pre-run power snack. Plus, they’re natural and they taste much better than anything that comes in a plastic wrapper.

16

Hunger-boosting energy bars

best healthy snacks for work

Another one you can make on a Sunday night and snack on all week, these are energy-lifting and hunger-busting. We've also got a number of other healthy snack ideas perfect for work A runner’s guide to dietary fibre.

Watch Next 
healthy snacks for work
Weve already worked out what the