is obviously important to power your run and replenish energy stores, but so is protein, as this improves carbohydrate usage and supports muscle recovery. Fat and fibre should be limited as they slow the transition of food through the  gut and can be a source

When you're sidelined by injury your natural reaction should be to cut back on calories until it's time to return to training - and burning energy. But the healing process demands fuel, too. "It's like fixing a house," says sports dietitian Cynthia

Some people think it's a calorie-heavy food, and so it is if you eat it by the kilo, but in sane amounts it's a terrific food for triathletes. Its carbohydrate content gives an energy boost and its fibre content keeps you feeling full for longer and helps keep

also offer protection against some cancers.Red PotatoesThe humble - and let's be honest, it's not much to look at - potato has had a bad reputation in terms of nutrition because we have a habit of frying it in fat, covering it with cheese or mixing

Q. I want to practise my nutrition for race day but my trainer says I should wait until a few weeks before the race so I get the maximum benefit - is he right?A. It's imperative that you experiment during training to find out what will work best

to nutrition, its definition evolved. The calorie we now see cited on labels (as kcal) is the amount of heat required to raise 1kg of water by 1 degree Celsius.Here's the problem: your body isn't a steam engine. Instead of heat, it runs on chemical energy

ate delivered energy and good nutrition. That meant turning to whole foods."Appleman lost six stone and ran his first marathon. The key has been planning. "It can be tough to find healthy options on the go," says Appleman. Nutritionist Ruth Carpenter