With the marathon coming up in 4 days (eek!) lately there have been lots of carbs happening around here. But unlike past marathons, I’m no longer stuffing my face with bagels, pasta, and pretzels. I realized that those foods don’t make me feel as good so I’ve switched to other sources of carbs such as potatoes, bananas, and squash. Here are some of the foods I’ve been eating lately!
WIAW: All the Carbs
Potatoes
Mostly sweet potatoes but also white and baby red. I don’t think I could ever get sick of potatoes but it was kind of embarrassing how many I bought at the grocery store last week.
Bananas and plantains
I fried a plantain over the weekend and used in for breakfasts throughout the week. I also eat at least one banana every morning. I have a bag of frozen bananas that I use in smoothies as well.
Squash
Butternut and spaghetti are my go-tos. I brought butternut squash to Thanksgiving last weekend and it was a big hit! And Spaghetti squash is one of my favorite options to roast over the weekend and use in meals during the week.
Fruit and dried fruit
I eat a lot of apples and pears throughout the week. I’ve also been snacking on raisins, but as I complained about last week they make my fingers sticky🙂
Paleo baked treats
Instead of turning to sugary cookies and snacks when I need a treat, I usually have something made thats baked with ingredients like almond flour, honey, and coconut oil to eat. These aren’t necessarily high in carbs, but I eat them as a better alternative to sugary snacks.
What are some of your favorite carbs?
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A Day of Non-Training Eats
Wow your food looks a lot like mine this week! I even made paleo cookies twice since I had to tweak a recipe. From here on out lots of potatoes and plantains for me!
All this stuff seemed to work well for me! Although I feel like Im gonna need a break from potatoes after this week:)
I don’t think I’d be able to pass up on raisins. Such a great source of iron as well. Maybe try carrying around baby wipes with you to help out w/ the stickiness. Ha!
I will have to try that! I’ve still been eating them. They really are a great snack!
I live on sweet potatoes as it is but before a race? it’s all about the potatoes and bananas. Perfect running foods.
Yup I have had so many of both this week. I may actually need a break from them after the race:)
Eeeeeek!!!! Four days four days!!!:):)
And now that Im finally responding to comments its only 2!
Great assortment of food – and since it is what you have been working with in recent months it is a great choice (nothing worse than changing up right before a race!).
I actually wonder if that is half the problem with ‘carbo loading’ for many blogging runners – so many avoid carbs like the plague regularly (or eat 3 strands of pasta and OMG I am SO full!) and then try to eat it like a frat house meal plan the week before a race? I exaggerate … but you get what I am saying?
Can’t believe this is only 4 days out! 🙂
I know exactly what you mean! Even when I was eating a lot more grains as a carb source I was pretty consistent about it so my body didn’t go into shock the week of the race!
The marathon is so close – how exciting!!! I can’t wait for you to kill it!
I’ve been big on potatoes lately as well. My favorite carb will always be pasta though – I’m a self-proclaimed addict.
Haha I used to be as well! I think I go through phases where I eat too much of the same thing and then get sick of it:)
I love potatoes too. I didn’t used to, now I eat both regular and sweet potatoes. I do have a few recipes and I’ll add in a few more than the recipe calls for. And I always have bananas at home. I throw one in my lunch every day to keep me from cramping. It may be a coincidence, but if I don’t have bananas, I end up with Charlie horses in my calves.
Wow, well I have heard at the potassium in bananas is good for preventing cramps. I usually eat a banana every day in the morning but I hate bringing them in my bag because they usually end up with brown spots.
These are the healthiest carbs ever. My favorite carbs come in pizza form 😀
Trust me, there is a time and a place for pizza for me as well:) In fact I am thinking there may need to be pizza on Sunday night.
I love spaghetti squash. I didn’t think that it had many carbs in it though. I have been on a potato kick lately too. I just bought a 5lb bag and I never do that, but it was a good deal.
I guess compared to pasta it doesn’t have a lot of carbs. I wonder how long a 5 lb bag will last? We probably bought about 5 lbs of a variety of potatoes last weekend.
You’re going to rock this marathon! I’ve been all about potatoes lately too – especially smashed baby potatoes. Maybe it’s a fall thing?
Maybe! Mashed potatoes with our Thanksgiving meal last weekend were sooo good. Im excited to eat them again for Thanksgiving #2 next week!
I eat a lot of the same carbs as you do. I also enjoy kabocha squash and butternut squash a lot of the time. Another good one that sounds weird is sweet potato, apple, cinnamon and carrot baby pouches. All organic, just fruit and really good for on the go 🙂
I haven’t been able to find kabocha squash at my grocery store, but Im gonna continue to look out for it!
Those pouches do sounds kind of weird but Im sure they are good if they have sweet potatoes in them!
FOUR DAYS!
… Actually almost THREE days now since I’m writing this at night 🙂 How exciting! How are you feeling? Geared up and ready to go??
And now that I am finally replying its 2 days!:) I guess I am as ready as Ill ever be:)
I absolutely LOVE plantains. I would eat plantain pancakes every morning with almond butter before my runs during marathon training!
Ooh I need to try plantain pancakes- they sound really good!
I’m so excited for your marathon. I’ve just discovered spaghetti squash – so good. And I’m all about sweet potato nachos lately.
Never heard of sweet potato nachos…sounds interesting! And Im glad you discovered spaghetti squash!
I think they’re worth trying – http://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/10/sweet-potato-irish-nachos.html
They look great! Thanks for sharing the link!
Great pre-marathon carb choices. I can totally understand how these would make you feel good and also give you energy.
Good luck with the marathon!
Exactly! And thank you!
I’m all about white potatoes, sweet potatoes and squash leading up to races. I also eat Basmati rice (because I’m on that paleo bandwagon for rice), and have been known to have quinoa as well – both are great if your guts agree with them. I also make my paleo pancakes (a banana, tahini, an egg, and cinnamon) for weekend long runs.
Good luck with your marathon!
Next time around I want to try out some types of rice maybe as a dinner before a long run. Your pancakes sound great! And thank you!