A healthy diet is important

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10 ESV

As most runners know, eating a diet high in protein is essential for our bodies to function properly. However, most runners concentrate solely on their carbohydrate intake (think gels, gummie bears, M&M's, oranges, potatoes and bananas) when running or racing long distances. But now, new research suggests that protein intake before and during a marathon is just as important, if not more important, than our obsessive carbohydrate ingestion. Higher protein consumption, they went on to say, is related to better performance times and lower reduction of lean body mass after the marathon. That's good news right? And while the recommended dietary allowance for is protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of bodyweight daily, athletes, they say, should generally consume more—up to 2.4 grams per kilogram of bodyweight, depending on their goals.

And you know, while improved performance and faster recovery times are a great reason to be sure our diets contain the right nutrients and macronutrients, there's a reason far greater for us to seek to take in proper nutrition... so that we can perform the "good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." You see, you and I are God's workmanship, specifically and uniquely created by Him to serve Him. And we can only do that as we should when our bodies are functioning as they should. Which means you and I have a responsibility as believers to consume only pure and whole (spiritual and physical) foods that will properly fuel our bodies and our minds.

So when making choices on what foods to eat, let us remember that food is fuel—nothing more, nothing less. What we put in is what we get out. And if we want to be all that God designed us to be, we must make our physical and spiritual nutrition a priority.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that what we eat, what we listen to and what we watch will affect the way we "walk" and perform the "good works" you created in advance for us to do. Help us to be conscience and careful to only consume those things that are pure, wholesome and good Lord that we might serve You to the best of our ability. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!