Nutrients and Runners-Matt/Zach

For runners the most important nutrient is carbohydrates. In endurance exercise carbohydrates are the primary source of exercise and are efficient. When you are endurance running the high calories from carbohydrate loading is important as the amount of energy lost from training requires a higher calorie load. Fats and proteins are important as well but before workouts and races they should be eaten sparingly as they take longer to digest. A common strategy for endurance runners is to load up on carbohydrates the night before and the morning of a race as they digest quickly and provide long term energy. Simple carbohydrates are not recommended, most of your carbohydrate should be complex such as the ones from pasta or rice.