Fueling your body for big races

AUSTIN (KXAN) - This morning thousands of runners participated in the Livestrong Austin Marathon and Half Marathon.

The run takes several hours and is not an easy task. Runners have to fuel their bodies before, during and after the race. Snap Kitchen came into the KXAN News studio to talk about some healthy choices that help runners stay in shape.

Their chef made Snap’s simple but satisfying egg salad. Eggs are rich in protein and vitamin K. This makes them a great food choice for after the race. Protein mends muscles faster than just carbohydrates, and vitamin K is essential to keeping bones healthy.

Runners should also fuel up on carbohydrates, potassium and continue drinking water or sports drinks to ensure hydration. Grains such as pasta or bread and fruits and vegetables are great sources of carbohydrates. Bananas and orange juice are full of potassium.

Sports drinks such as Gatorade are a good way to rehydrate but can be too high in sugar when added to carbohydrates. Water is always a great choice. If you are a runner, there are many foods you can eat on a regular basis to stay fit. These include beans, low-fat yogurt, sweet potatoes, and salmon.