Training? Eat Pizza!

I just had lunch with a particularly wonderful PETA Pack member, and she told me that she found herself craving pizza last week. She was feeling a bit tired, took a day off training, ate some veggie pizza, and then had a GREAT run the next day. Are you feeling more tired than usual? Don’t forget that your body is doing a lot for you right now. Your metabolism is different. You’re burning calories and building new muscle. If you’re feeling hungry…eat!

Avoid potato chips or a double order of fries (which I have been craving like mad lately). Those will give you calories and fat, but not much else. Go for the pizza! A good veggie pizza has more calories than a salad, but not empty calories. You’ll get lots of complex carbs, which you really need right now, and some extra protein and vitamins and minerals from the veggies. Other good foods to try: Veggie burgers with pasta salad instead of fries on the side, Coach Darren’s smoothies, tofu-and-vegetable stews over rice (think curry), peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and of course…pasta! Lots of it! You can get wheat-free pasta, or whole wheat, or just plain. Don’t cover it with cream sauces or olive oil. Go with a nice tomato sauce and throw in your favorite chopped veggies (frozen is fine if you’re short on time).

Here’s some more on food. Don’t diet now, you’ll run out of energy, but avoid the fattiest of foods as well. Think carbs! Let me know if you want more tips.

Alex
p.s.
So far I’m winning the war against French fries, and the huge bag of corn chips here in the office kitchen. It calls my name every time I walk by. I’m eating tons of rice and veggies and tofu, spaghetti (Thanks, Aydan!), oatmeal, pretzels, apples, carrots, and PB&J’s. So much of the good foods that I’m too full for chips!