The New Year is still fresh, and you’re ready to take on another year of training, racing, and recovering. That means you’ll want to be equipped with top-of-the-line, runner-approved foods and kitchen gadgets to keep you fit and healthy as you chase down another PR. The Fuel School test panel—a selection of runners who hit 25 to 40 miles a week, ranging from seven-minute miles to 10-minute miles—presents its top fuel picks for 2016.
Lagostina Bistecchiera pan
When this beautiful pan arrived for testing, each panelist wanted it for his own kitchen. Handcrafted in Italy, this pan is made of thick, triple-wall construction, allowing heat to be distributed evenly, which sears meat and grills food in the most delicious way possible. From a health-conscious runner’s POV, the griddle design allows the food to cook as the fat drips away. It makes a mean Panini (no butter needed), and grilled sandwiches are the perfect way to meld low-fat, calcium-rich cheese and veggies into a sandwich for the perfect postrun lunch. It's a little pricey - it'll set you back $150, but solid, trusted kitchenware is a sound investment.
Cairn
Looking for the perfect way to become a well-equipped and ready-for-anything trail runner? Meet Cairn: the first outdoor subscription box service. This monthly delivery ($25/box) of outdoor discovery comes with a handful of trail-ready products, ranging from apparel, food, energy, skincare, and emergency and medical must-haves. Every item is designed to equip trail runners with the gear, fuel, and skills needed for the scenic, but tough, miles ahead. Our testers loved the unique gear but really loved the tasty, portable nutrition inside every box.
Hydaway bottle
Running smart means running hydrated. And often, that means carrying a water bottle on those long runs. The new Hydaway bottle is durable and stable, and measures just over an inch when collapsed, fitting nicely into a run pouch, pocket, or purse. And it holds 12 to 21 ounces depending on bottle size. “I’m a big fan of the Hydaway collapsible water bottle after I saw it on Kickstarter,” Published: Feb 02, 2016 11:24 AM EST FoodBalance LLC.
KRAVE Jerky
When it comes to jerky, KRAVE was a hands-down favorite. You can find the many unique flavors at most major grocery stores, and it makes a great midafternoon hold-me-over-until-dinner snack. If you keep a stash in your gym bag, make sure no one knows. These samples went fast!
EPIC
I’d seen and heard of EPIC meat bars during my travels, and after finally tasting them I completely understand the obsession. These bars, which come as bites, mixes, and bits, are the real deal, and they’re made with high-quality ingredients like 100 percent grass-fed meats. They’re also gluten-, soy-, and dairy-free.
Bare Snacks
If meat isn’t your thing but you’re looking for something satisfying to snack on but still stay on top of a healthy diet, try Bare Snacks All Natural Crunchy Banana Chips. The test panel loved the calorie-savings (they’re low in fat) and tasty crunch. Bare Snacks are a great sweet treat for the hungry runner who wants a gluten-free, Non-GMO-Project-Verified, vegan snack.
Published: Feb 02, 2016 11:24 AM EST
For obvious reasons (disclaimer: I’m a coauthor) everyone should have a copy of the useful (and, shall I say, well-written) tome known as Published: Feb 02, 2016 11:24 AM EST. In all seriousness, Jennifer Van Allen and I wrote this book for all runners—whether you’re a seasoned marathoner Health & Injuries or the newbie runner who wants to get active and look better along the way. This book is carefully researched and written to provide credible, simple, customizable take-home tips that allow you eat and run in a manner that works for you (and your waistline).
