Post Run Breakfast Ideas for Athletes

It can be helpful for athletes to have ideas for nutritious breakfasts they can enjoy after a morning run. Let’s take a look at the recovery nutrition needs of athletes. Then we will explore ideas for creating a healthy post run breakfast for athletes.

Nutrition Needs Following a Run

Following a morning run, athletes should focus on building a breakfast that can support their bodies with recovering from the workout.

Recovery nutrition is particularly important for runners when the amount of time between workouts is limited. This includes athletes who are doing multiple workouts in a single day or back-to-back days of intense running sessions.

There are three key concepts athletes should keep in mind to support recovery:

Hydrating – Replace fluid and electrolytes lost in sweat during the run
Carbohydrates – Refill energy stores used during the run
Protein – Consume protein to help build and repair lean muscle mass

Post Run Breakfast: Hydration

Following a morning run, it is important for athletes to replace the fluid and electrolytes lost in sweat. Weighing before and after activity can help athletes determine how much fluid was lost in sweat during the run. To replace the fluid, runners need to drink more fluid than the amount lost in sweat (1).

For example, for each pound of body weight lost during the activity, athletes should aim to drink ~20-24 oz (2.5-3 cups) of fluid. When you have limited time before your next run, replacing this fluid is especially important to ensure you start the next run in a hydrated state.

Post Run Breakfast: Electrolytes

In addition to fluid, athletes lose electrolytes when they sweat. The main electrolyte lost in sweat is sodium. Thus, including sodium in the post run breakfast can help athletes with replacing sweat losses. In addition, the sodium will help the athlete better retain the fluid they drink after a run (2).

Ideas for including sodium in your post run breakfast include:

Cheese, cottage cheese
Turkey sausage, deli meat
Bread, bagels (salt added as a preservative)
Salted nuts, nut butters, seeds
Vegetable or tomato juice
Condiments: Salsa, ketchup

*Note: Talk with your doctor or a sports dietitian nutritionist about staying hydrated if you are on a low-sodium diet or are required to limit your fluid intake.

Post Run Breakfast: Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates provide the body with the energy needed to perform at its best. During a run, the body’s stores of carbohydrates become depleted. Therefore, consuming carbohydrates with your post run breakfast is important to help replenish these stores.

Sources of carbohydrates that runners can enjoy at breakfast following a run include:

Bagel, bread, English muffin, wraps, tortillas
Fruit: Fresh, dried, frozen, canned in natural juices, 100% fruit juice
Oatmeal, grits, breakfast cereal
Milk, yogurt
Fruit smoothie

Whole Grain Carbohydrates

When possible, runners should look to include whole grains in their sports nutrition meal plan. Whole grains contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them a nutritious addition to an athlete’s diet.

When selecting whole grain items, read the package to ensure the product is 100% whole grain. When reading the ingredient list, the word “whole” should be listed as the first ingredient in the product, such as whole wheat, whole rye, or whole oat.

Post Run Breakfast: Protein

Including protein in the post run breakfast is important to support the repair and building of lean muscle mass. I find adding protein to breakfast is an area on which many athletes, including runners, need to place additional focus.

Following a morning run, athletes should aim to consume ~0.25 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. In general, this calculates to be in the range of 20-40 grams of protein, with larger athletes needing more protein than smaller athletes (3).

Runners can easily meet their protein needs at breakfast with food. Below are several ideas for ways athletes can add protein to their post run breakfast.

Eggs

Eggs are a convenient way for athletes to add protein to their post run breakfast. One large egg contains 6 grams of protein. The majority of the protein in the egg comes from the egg white (4 grams), however, the yolk is rich in vitamins and minerals.

Eggs contain choline, important for cognitive function, as well as selenium, riboflavin, Vitamin K, and antioxidants (3). Thus, eggs are a nutritious addition to a runner’s morning meal.

Ultra-Filtered, High-Protein Milk

Ultra-filtered, high-protein milks are filtered to remove the lactose and contain a concentrated protein and calcium content. A cup of ultra-filtered milk provides ~13 grams of protein compared to 8 grams in a cup of regular milk.

Athletes can add ultra-filtered milk to their oatmeal, breakfast cereal, smoothie, or enjoy it as a drink to boost the protein content of their post-run breakfast.

Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein, providing ~28 grams of protein per 1 cup serving (depending on the brand). With the post run breakfast, athletes can enjoy cottage cheese topped with fruit, seeds, or nuts for a nutrient packed meal.

Athletes who do not like the texture of cottage cheese, can try blending it into a smoothie for added protein. The cottage cheese will make the smoothie extra creamy without altering the flavor.

Another great use for cottage cheese at breakfast is mixing it into eggs before scrambling them. The cottage cheese will add protein to the eggs and give them a creamy texture.

Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is a great way to add protein to an athlete’s post run breakfast. Depending on the brand, Greek yogurt contains ~21 grams of protein per cup, while regular yogurt has ~7 grams of protein.

Athletes can use Greek yogurt to make a parfait with frozen berries and whole grain breakfast cereal. Greek yogurt also makes a great addition to a fruit smoothie and can be used as an ingredient in preparing protein overnight oats.

Plant-Based Protein Sources

There are a variety of ways athletes following a plant-based diet can add protein to their post run breakfast. Here are several plant-based protein sources athletes may consider adding to their meal.

Soy milk, soy yogurt, tofu
Vegan egg substitutes
Nuts, nut butters, beans, seeds
Greek-style, plant-based yogurts
High-protein, plant-based milk

Post Run Breakfast: Restaurant Options

Athletes who need a quick breakfast can find ways to meet their nutrition needs at restaurants. Here are several ideas for breakfasts that athletes can get enjoy following their morning run.

English muffin breakfast sandwich with ham, egg, and cheese, 100% orange juice
Bagel with nut butter, sliced fruit cup, low-fat milk
Potato and egg breakfast tacos with salsa, 100% fruit juice
Greek yogurt and fruit parfait, avocado toast, low-fat milk
Oatmeal with berries and walnuts, banana, chocolate milk

Post Run Breakfast

You are now set with a variety of ideas for creating a post run breakfast for athletes that supports their recovery nutrition needs. For additional sports nutrition tips for athletes, check out my blog: Dinner for Athletes: 11 Easy Ideas.

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About the Author

Mandy is a Sports Dietitian Nutritionist in the San Antonio, TX area. She is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian, a Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, a Licensed Athletic Trainer, and is a Certified Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine. Mandy has experience working with athletes at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. She believes the key to reaching one’s full potential, both in everyday life and in sports performance, relies on a healthy nutritional foundation. Learn more about the work Mandy does here.