Eat Your Way To Recovery

Sometimes getting sick or injured while training is beyond your control, but your food choices can prevent you from sitting on the sidelines—or help you recover faster.

Written by: Sally Berry, R.D.

Eat To Prevent Illness (colds, minor viruses)

Tip: Establish good pre- and post-training nutrition habits. Grab a recovery drink with quercetin-rich cherries and blueberries to prevent immune suppression, DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) and excessive tissue breakdown. Get lots of sleep—it assists with nutrient absorption and recovery.

Boost these nutrients:
Iron and zinc (seafood, lean meat, beans) to help prevent infections.
Vitamin C (citrus, fresh melon, berries, peppers); vitamin A (peaches, sweet potatoes, carrots, kale); vitamin E (nuts, seeds, oils) and selenium (seafood, brazil nuts) act as antioxidant protectors from damage caused by training.

FILED UNDER: Nutrition TAGS: Injury Prevention / nutrients / recover / Recovery Nutrition / Vitamins

Mario Fraioli

Mario Fraioli is the senior producer at Competitor.com. He was a cross country All-American at Stonehill College, has run 2:28 in the marathon, and coaches the Prado Women's Racing Team in San Diego.

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