We all know carb loading is key for runners tackling a marathon, but did you know peanut butter is also considered one of the best foods for runners?
The nut butter, which often gets a bad rap on account of its high calorie and fat content, holds a whopping seven grams of protein in just two tablespoons. That's the same amount you'd find in a piece of meat, the Globe and Mail reports.
And it's not just the protein that helps fuel athletes. According to Runner's World, the combination of fat, protein and fibre is what keeps runners feeling full and energized for longer.
Non-runners can also benefit from the nutritional powerhouse that is peanut butter. A 2002 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association noted that by consuming a single serving of peanut butter five days a week can lower a woman's risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
The benefits of peanut butter are so appealing that news site Stuff.co.nz reports some runners are actually packing peanut butter sandwiches to-go as alternatives to energy gels.
While eating and walking doesn't seem like too much of a struggle, eating while running is a whole different story. So, if you're thinking of powering through with peanut butter, we recommend taking a minute or two to eat it while standing still or better yet, sitting down.
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