When it comes to powering your run, knowing what to eat and drink can be tricky. If you’ve not got time for a energy gel alternatives for runners in the morning, or want to give your run that extra boost, we’ve been testing hundreds of running supplements over the past few months and found the following five were best for pre-run fuel:
AthleticTea Yerba + Ginseng Orange Matcha
This zingy brew, with Japanese matcha green tea and South American yerba maté, delivers a steady energy boost without the jitters of some caffeine drinks. The yerba maté supports your body in burning fat as fuel, great for endurance and weight loss. The ginseng helps to aid focus.
Beet It Sport Nitrate 400
Studies show dietary nitrates – like those in beetroot – can delay fatigue and improve blood flow. These 70ml shots of concentrated beetroot juice, taken in the days before training, deliver a performance-improving 400mg dose of natural nitrate and are so good they’ve been used in over 200 nutritional studies.
33Shake Shake Mocha
Ideal for fuelling morning runs, every shake packs 33 natural ingredients – such as oats, pumpkin protein, maca and Himalayan pink salt – each picked for flavour and nutritional punch. The mix of powders, seeds, nuts and dried berries is more substantial than a powdered shake and there’s a hit of caffeine from coffee in the mocha for a pre-workout charge.
Veloforte Pronto
If there’s a tastier way to top up your pre-run carbs, we’re yet to find it. Made from dried fruits, nuts and natural sweeteners, Veloforte’s real food bars serve up around 45g carbs along with proteins and fibre. There are six varieties but the Pronto’s 80mg hit of caffeine from guarana powder and matcha tea makes it the perfect pre-run snack.
Primal Pantry Apple & Pecan
These pleasingly simple fruit-and-nut combos make great running fodder. There’s 16-20g carbs per bar from natural fruit sugars, mainly dates – the fuel Moroccans swear by to power them through the Marathon des Sables. There are caffeine and protein options; all of them taste great and are easy on the tummy.
