Running without suppliments!

quinlivan

Hi All,

I've been running for the past 15 months now. I've gone from 0 to my second marathon since Jan 2013.

My question relates to Sporting Nutrition. I don't take Protein or Whey or anything and I'm wondering would now be a good time to start. Here is some background. I started running really for weight loss. I weighted over 19st, lost 3st purely with Weight Watchers and then started running at 16st. I went on and lost another 4st to reach a weight of 12st.

When I started training for the Dublin marathon my weight fluctuated up and down 7lbs but I wasn't too bothered as I was running. Same happened with Connemara. My weight is around 12st 7lbs now but my body shape is completely different to what it was before the marathons.

I run a lot (5 times a week) and go to Bootcamp twice a week for my cross-training. I dont feel like I'm missing out on anything, but having never taken them - how do I know what I might be missing out on? (if you get me)

Should I be taking any sport supplements? What would ye runners recommend?

morceli

quinlivan wrote: »

Hi All,

I've been running for the past 15 months now. I've gone from 0 to my second marathon since Jan 2013.

My question relates to Sporting Nutrition. I don't take Protein or Whey or anything and I'm wondering would now be a good time to start. Here is some background. I started running really for weight loss. I weighted over 19st, lost 3st purely with Weight Watchers and then started running at 16st. I went on and lost another 4st to reach a weight of 12st.

When I started training for the Dublin marathon my weight fluctuated up and down 7lbs but I wasn't too bothered as I was running. Same happened with Connemara. My weight is around 12st 7lbs now but my body shape is completely different to what it was before the marathons.

I run a lot (5 times a week) and go to Bootcamp twice a week for my cross-training. I dont feel like I'm missing out on anything, but having never taken them - how do I know what I might be missing out on? (if you get me)


Should I be taking any sport supplements? What would ye runners recommend?

No need to take anything if your getting everything from your diet. I'd stay away from supplements unless you have a need.

tomdempsey200

quinlivan wrote: »

Should I be taking any sport supplements? What would ye runners recommend?

thyroid

Cabaal

To be perfectly honest,
You don't need them, just eat properly and you'll be fine

What sort of mileage are you even doing in a week?

barryoneill50

If it's not broke...................

Alf Veedersane

Supplements are just to supplement something you're not getting enough of in your diet.

Eat properly and you'll get everything you need.

jane82

They do have calories in them. You have to remember that.
You can get pretty much any supplement from a better diet.
I wouldnt bother with them unless you felt you needed a certain foodtype and couldnt get it any other way.
Id work out my diet ins and outs. Then Id find the best ratio for a runner. Then Id get that into me dietwise.
For eg 30per cent protein 30 carbs. 40 fat.(this is just a wild ratio that counts to 100 google the proper one)
If I couldnt get my diet to this and needed say more protein Id go with a protein shake.
They arnt any better than food they just want you to believe they are.

rom

More protein with more exercise and you should be fine I have raw eggs in the morning, chicken breast for lunch and full fat milk. Took all that silly stuff too before. No need for it.

average_runner

Something I have started to take is Beetroot juice once a week, its good for you overall.
Get it in a juice shop in temple bar, contains apple,pear, beetroot,lime and other stuff.

jane82

rom wrote: »

More protein with more exercise and you should be fine I have raw eggs in the morning, chicken breast for lunch and full fat milk. Took all that silly stuff too before. No need for it.

I could be wrong on this but as far as I know a boiled egg is better nutritionally than a raw one.

lgk

jane82 wrote: »

I could be wrong on this but as far as I know a boiled egg is better nutritionally than a raw one.

Not much in it it seems, 10% more fat in cooked.

quinlivan

I should probably focus on getting more protein into my diet from dairy but apart from that, I'll stay clear of them of now. Like I said I don't feel like I need them, but then imagine if someone says: if you had been taking them you could be so much better.

They seem extremely expensive and when I am not looking to bulk up, I don't know if I really need need them

Thanks for the input

tunguska

quinlivan wrote: »

I should probably focus on getting more protein into my diet from dairy but apart from that, I'll stay clear of them of now. Like I said I don't feel like I need them, but then imagine if someone says: if you had been taking them you could be so much better.

They seem extremely expensive and when I am not looking to bulk up, I don't know if I really need need them

Thanks for the input

+1 for the beetjuice, definitely have noticed a difference since I started drinking it. I take antioxidants after every run aswell and this has also made a difference, recover way quicker than I used to. I take Astaxanthin and superphyte, plus a fruit & veg smoothie every day.

rom

SuperValu sell the good beetroot juice. Jack white. Good stuff.defo drops my heart rate a few beats.

wandatowell

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

thyroid

Having spent a few years suffering from an over active thyroid gland this is so true

tunguska

rom wrote: »

SuperValu sell the good beetroot juice. Jack white. Good stuff.defo drops my heart rate a few beats.

How much is it by the way? I get the same make(1litre) for 3.99 in dunnes but I've seen it at 6 quid in other shops.

average_runner

tunguska wrote: »

+1 for the beetjuice, definitely have noticed a difference since I started drinking it. I take antioxidants after every run aswell and this has also made a difference, recover way quicker than I used to. I take Astaxanthin and superphyte, plus a fruit & veg smoothie every day.

How often do you drink it? I tend to drink 500ml twice a week.

tunguska

average_runner wrote: »

How often do you drink it? I tend to drink 500ml twice a week.

1 litre lasts me 3 days so its around about 330mls per day. I mix it with lemon juice and cold water to make a pint.

Ososlo

I use the concentrated version (beetroot juice) that I get in Nourish that you dilute. Is this as good as the stuff you pour straight out of the carton? It works out a lot cheaper for me.

rom

Ososlo wrote: »

I use the concentrated version (beetroot juice) that I get in Nourish that you dilute. Is this as good as the stuff you pour straight out of the carton? It works out a lot cheaper for me.

Have you tried the stuff from the carton ?

Ososlo

rom wrote: »

Have you tried the stuff from the carton ?

I have tried the Beet-It from the carton but not the brand you mentioned in an earlier post which seems a lot cheaper. Just wondered if the concentrated stuff would be considered as nutritious.

Axiomatic

I found the best supplement I ever took and still do to this day is Cellfood.

lgk

Axiomatic wrote: »

I found the best supplement I ever took and still do to this day is Cellfood.

Based on the FDA warning, and other doubts, I'd steer clear! The claims all sound like what the homeopathy pushers were saying and use pseudo science to convince the gullible.

tunguska

Ososlo wrote: »

I use the concentrated version (beetroot juice) that I get in Nourish that you dilute. Is this as good as the stuff you pour straight out of the carton? It works out a lot cheaper for me.

Did you have a look at the list of ingredients with the concentrated version? Personally I always go for 100% natural as concentrated drinks tend to have sugar(and other things) added. The beet-it juice is something like 90% beet juice + 10% apple juice, nothing else. I know its more expensive but for your long term health I think its the way to go.

Brian?

lgk wrote: »

Not much in it it seems, 10% more fat in cooked.

Cooked egg protein has a higher bioavailability, so it's nutritionally superior.

Ososlo

tunguska wrote: »

Did you have a look at the list of ingredients with the concentrated version? Personally I always go for 100% natural as concentrated drinks tend to have sugar(and other things) added. The beet-it juice is something like 90% beet juice + 10% apple juice, nothing else. I know its more expensive but for your long term health I think its the way to go.

Never even thought of looking at the ingredients. Blonde moments...:o
It's '100% concentrated beetroot juice. No added preservatives' so I guess it's just as good!
Only downside, is that if it spills you're fc1ked as it stains so badly as it's so concentrated.

tunguska

Ososlo wrote: »

Never even thought of looking at the ingredients. Blonde moments...:o
It's '100% concentrated beetroot juice. No added preservatives' so I guess it's just as good!
Only downside, is that if it spills you're fc1ked as it stains so badly as it's so concentrated.

Ok it sounds solid enough. I reckon you'd have to contact the manufactures themselves to get the nitrate concentration and compare it with the non-concentrated version (Unless it states on the container what the nitrate concentration is).
The colour is very deep though, the amount of T-shirts I've ruined at this stage......

opus

Axiomatic wrote: »

I found the best supplement I ever took and still do to this day is Cellfood.

Had to Google that one, the very first hit isn't very encouraging!

CELLFOOD® (NuScience Corporation) is marketed as an "oxygen+nutrient supplement" for body detoxification, providing bioavailable oxygen to the body. However, the concept of ingesting oxygen is nonsense.

Will admit to drinking one of those litre cartons of beetroot juice split between the night before & the morning of any long races. Can't really say if it helps much but doesn't cause any problems and at the very worst it's some extra hydration.

Ososlo

opus wrote: »

Will admit to drinking one of those litre cartons of beetroot juice split between the night before & the morning of any long races. Can't really say if it helps much but doesn't cause any problems and at the very worst it's some extra hydration.

and it's one of your five/seven/whatever a day;)

dna_leri

jane82 wrote: »

I could be wrong on this but as far as I know a boiled egg is better nutritionally than a raw one.

lgk wrote: »

Not much in it it seems, 10% more fat in cooked.

I am intrigued by this. So boiling a humble egg creates fat. I wonder what chemical reaction is occurring here.

And if it's true, does that make it nutritionally better or worse?

I am sceptical of much of the information out there on nutrition.
This is a good example why.

average_runner

tunguska wrote: »

Ok it sounds solid enough. I reckon you'd have to contact the manufactures themselves to get the nitrate concentration and compare it with the non-concentrated version (Unless it states on the container what the nitrate concentration is).
The colour is very deep though, the amount of T-shirts I've ruined at this stage......

Hence why i go to staple foods in Temple bar and get a small bottle made up for me, 5 euro ago but saves the mess.

I am growing beetroot at the moment on the allotment, so there will be a mess to come!!!