ultra runner nutrition

[rhi]

Hello, i would say that my nutrition is fairly good, i eat well, which by ultra running standards means i eat alot, but its almost 100% of them healthy, and all natural. Im contemplating adding a protein supplment to the mix, and was wondering everyones comments on the subjects of protein powders. I don't want to bulk up, as it may alter my running a bit, and right now i am in top shape, and my intuflow and prasara practice is coming alot nicely. any suggestions?? just eat more salmon?

thanks
V

[James Boelter]

Adam,

I subscribe to Dr. Art Devany's view that protein powders really are not the best way to add calories and nutritional density to your diet. (In point of fact, he claims they are a waste or time and money, but I am not here to be blunt.)

You want your diet to be 'real food' as much as possible, which can be hard in our culture.

One possibility: canned coconut milk, with some added salt, maple syrup or honey (for taste) and diluted by 50% with water, then mixed in a blender. This, my friend is pure "energy in a can". And it is relatively inexpensive - one can costs between $.85 to $1.20 (depending on the brand name) and will provide enough for a couple days supplement.

Why coconut milk? Medium chain tryglycerides (MCTs). These are fatty acids that take a different physical (and enzymatic) route to the liver than long chain or short chain fatty acids - because of this, your system will burn them preferentially for energy, rather than store them as fatty tissue. In addition, coconut milk contains lauric acid and other compounds that have powerful supportive effects for the immune system and the digestive system, and have a 'sparing' effect for the essential fatty acids (EFAs) are needed for mental clarity and anti-inflammation functions in the body.

Be sparing in your first tries with coconut milk. It is VERY rich, and some people can experience digestive upset until their systems adapt. (The same is true for protein powders, BTW). But give it a try, and you may find it invaluable for your purposes.

(I base all this on personal experience and the book "Eat Fat, Lose Fat" by Dr. Mary Enig and Sally Fallon, if you want further reading on the subject).