• Spartan race training will challenge you physically and mentally, sticking to a healthy diet will help your body keep up.
• It’s essential to incorporate nutrients your body will best benefit from to make training sessions more effective.
• Conveniently, a lot of establishments near Pretty Huge Obstacles serve healthy food that can not only fill your stomach, but please your taste buds, too.

  
  

Spartan Race and your diet

When you sign up for Spartan Race or any obstacle course racing event, you’re getting yourself into a physically and mentally demanding series of tasks. That’s why it’s important to create and stick to a training plan that includes exercise and good habits that will prepare your body for the race. Eating well is one of those crucial good habits. 

Everything your body digests has some kind of effect on you. In order to perform at your utmost, you have to be eating the best foods for fueling up and staying strong throughout the training process, and of course, during the race itself. For starters, you’ll need to allot more energy to your muscle groups with carbohydrates, and balance out the sweat and exertion with plenty of water.

Some things to look out for

Nutritional needs are not universal. According to Alissa Rumsey, the spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, our dietary needs depend on our individual goals and body fat percentage. Gender also makes a huge difference here. Women tend to have more body fat because of their estrogen levels, therefore they need less calories. Women also lose a lot of iron during menstruation. Rumsey recommends that they increase their intake of iron-rich foods like fish, leafy greens, and fortified grains for optimal health conditioning.

For all participants, Spartan Race training involves a great deal of upper-body strength training in comparison to running events. In this case, a bit of extra protein like another slice of chicken or a glass of chocolate milk after training will go a long way to maintain a good energy level.

Where to eat before or after a session at PHO

Poké Poké

Poké is a dish that originates from Hawaii. Traditional poké ingredients include raw tuna cubes, soy sauce, sesame oil, red onions, seaweed, and a garnish of scallions, but Poké Poké gives you the freedom to get creative by customizing your order based on what you like. For a killer post-workout meal, try the Samurai. It has both tuna and salmon, plus a nice serving of vegetables.

Craft Salad

Your Spartan PH journey will have you eating salads more frequently than you’re used to. Get your fix at Craft Salad for food that is nutritious and delicious at the same time. Some of their salads have salmon or chicken, which is more replenishing than just veggies. But if that’s not enough for you, you can order a side of pumpkin soup and still be in healthy food territory.

Hummus Elijah

Mediterranean food is known for being flavorful, fresh, and full of garlic. Hummus Elijah is not just healthy; it’s also vegetarian and vegan-friendly. This restaurant can make their dishes taste great even if they’re all greens. If you’re unfamiliar with Mediterranean fare, you can start with the classic Hummus Elijah: tahini, chickpeas, olive oil, and herbs and spices for flavor. For a protein heavy option, order it with eggs on the side or sauteed mushrooms and onions. 

Cibo

Fans of Italian cuisine will want to make Cibo part of their Spartan Race food plan. They source ingredients locally and some straight from Italy, so they’re definitely legit. A good pre-Spartan diet eliminates most or all processed food, and Cibo can fill that void with nutritious, aromatic meals. Craving for some recovery food after training? Try their Pollo Arrosto, a roast organic quarter chicken with rice and roasted vegetables on the side.

Rackshack

The brainchild of the people behind RACKS, Rackshack offers a more relaxed atmosphere with plenty of sauce options that can meet your personal spice tolerance. Bring your workout buddies along and split a Groupie Platter. It includes pulled pork, sausages, and ribs. In a place like Rackshack, it’s easy to get tempted to forget your diet and indulge. Just remember that protein is vital, but you shouldn’t overdo it. 

Nomi Café

You don't have to go far for a quick, nutritious post-workout boost. Head on over to Nomi Café at PHO's second level for some healthy and refreshing smoothies, optimal recovery meals, and a great place to chill. We've got a special menu just for Pretty Huge members and visitors, too!

Good eating gives you edge

Long before you face the starting line, you can set yourself up for success by following a healthy diet while you train. Don’t hesitate to try restaurants and dishes you’ve never tried before. You might even discover your next favorite healthy meal as you go about experimenting.