What should runners eat to lose weight?

Runners wanting to lose weight should eat a combination of complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and healthy fats from a variety of whole or minimally processed foods like fruit, vegetables, fatty fish, eggs, poultry, tofu, beans/legumes, and whole grains. These foods support both weight loss and athletic performance. 

Modest weight loss achieved through exercise most likely won’t affect a runner’s overall performance so long as there is adequate intake of calories (particularly from carbs and protein), and pre- and post-run nutrition are prioritized. 

• Low-carb diets are not great for running but a modest reduction in carbohydrate (40-45% of daily calories) may help runners lose weight without sabotaging performance.

• To help preserve lean muscle mass, runners trying to lose weight should consume roughly 1.8-2.7 g/kg/protein/day, divided into 4-6 meals or snacks [

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• Furthermore, having a small meal or snack that provides 1 g/kg of carbohydrate and 0.5 g/kg of protein within 30-60 minutes of a run will promote muscle synthesis, which is important for runners trying to achieve weight loss while maintaining or increasing lean mass [

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