UAN:265 Article type:++add book link at top++ --This is adapted from the book, Eat Smart, Play Hard, by RW USA Nutrition Editor Liz Applegate. While they may not be found in the supplement aisle of your local supermarket or health food store, some

marathon or other endurance race. Carbohydrates are, after all, the top choice for fuel and the best energy source. "Runners should be taking in about 55 to 65 per cent of their calories in the form of carbohydrates,"says RW Nutrition Editor Anita Bean

to the bowl of pasta you were planning for lunch. You don't need a nutritionist to tell you that refined, processed foods such as cakes, biscuits and pastries have little nutritional value, but many complex carbohydrates are also refined, which complicates

, which release energy more slowly, are perfect nutrition in between sessions. Fibre is also a vital ingredient in a runner's diet. Soluble fibre is found in beans, oats, rye and fruit and slows the digestion of carbohydrate, producing a slower rise

out at around 1,500kcal from carbohydrate per day for most women and 1,800kcal for men. However, during the carb-loading period aim to up your carbohydrate intake to 8-10g per kilogram of body weight (Anita Bean, The Complete Guide to Sports Nutrition

juncture, it even threatens the foundations of exercise physiology.This is quite a change from the time, not long ago, when carbohydrate was King of all Exercise Land, and giving nutrition advice to runners was easy: eat carbohydrate before, during

shown them to be extra susceptible to bone-mineral loss because of their intense training.To keep your bones in peak condition, eat plenty of dairy products, or up your intake of calcium-fortified soya milk, tofu, salmon or broccoli.Carbohydrates

'd taken on too much... Neil Bolton A.Marathon runners need 30-60 g of carbohydrate per hour. A carbo gel has around 32g of carbohydrate so, in combination with the Lucozade Sport on course, a gel every 45 minutes would give you an average of 40g

"When you're training, time is of the essence," says sports nutritionist Drew Price (drewprice.co.uk). "Nutrient timing is the secret weapon employed by professional athletes to fuel training and race day, and to support recovery. "Carbohydrate

1. Always carry appropriate recovery snacks and drinks with you. Being prepared is an essential part of your training.2. Start eating and drinking immediately after exercise if you are training again within eight hours.3. Take 1-1.2g of carbohydrate