The Night Before A Long Run Meal Ideas For Veggie Athletes:

Are you a veggie athlete that participates in endurance sports, such as running or triathlons? If so, it is important to note that your nutrition the day and night before a long training effort, such as a long run or a multi-sport day is JUST as important as your intra-sport fueling!

What you eat the day before, especially the night before, can make or break your workout the next day! Do you want to have endless energy or do you want to fade halfway through the workout or have to make multiple unexpected bathroom stops? While this is not 100% under your control, there are some general nutrition principles you can follow the night before to all, but guarantee a great long run, long bike ride, or long training day the next day.

So without further ado, here my tips as a sports registered dietitian and certified running coach that commonly works with plant-based endurance athletes! Of course the following tips apply to all types of eaters, so still read on even if you aren’t plant-based!

General tips for dinner the night before a long run, long ride, or multi-sport training session:

• Consider adding an extra serving of carbohydrates to your meal (i.e. eating an extra serving of rice, potatoes, or pasta).
• Avoid foods that are high in fat.
• Avoid foods high in fiber (unless you are used to a high fiber diet, but even then, proceed with caution).
• If you want a vegetable stick to lower fiber choices, such as carrots or peppers.
• Avoid foods that previously have caused you GI distress.
• Salt your food (especially if you are running in a warm outdoor or indoor climate).

Two examples of pre-long run dinners that follow the above tips:

What are your go-to meals the night before a long run, bike ride, or multi-sport training session? Share below! And if you feel uncertain about fueling the night before a long effort, especially as a veggie athlete, you may benefit from working with a sports registered dietitian like me! Feel free to contact me or fill out the interest form to begin the conversation about working together.