Get Ready To runDisney: Carb-loading In The Magic Kingdom

Making sure that your body has enough energy to run the race is an important part of any runDisney Vacation. With the Walt Disney World Marathon taking place January 7th - 11th, 2015 we thought we'd take a look at some healthy options for carb loading while still enjoying your time at the Parks. Carb-loading can help you have enough energy to finish the race without hitting the wall.





Carb-loading increases your body's stores of glycogen to be used as fuel for your race, but to get the biggest benefit you need to think about getting ready weeks before your run, not just the night before. Athletes want to "gradually increase the carbs in their daily meals and start to cut down on fat, fiber, and protein." The day right before the big race it's best to avoid "high-fat foods"like creamy sauces, cheese, butter, and oils"as well as too much protein."

Breakfast
Magic Kingdom Area Buffets are great places to get the nutrition that you need if you don't over-indulge. Oatmeal, bread, pancakes, waffles, bagels, yogurt, bananas and juice are all plentiful options for breakfast at Walt Disney World and make for delicious easy-to-digest high carb eats. The Crystal Palace makes for a fantastic start to any Magic Kingdom morning, but if you'd rather stop for quick service, head right on over to Sleepy Hollow Refreshments for the sublime waffles.


Nutella Waffle From Sleepy HollowNutella Waffle From Sleepy Hollow


Lunch and Snacks
Pasta, rice, and potatoes are great for the day before your race our favorite spot to stop for lunch or a snack is the Liberty Square Market where refreshments include fresh fruit (remember to peel fruit to reduce its fiber content) and whole baked potatoes. Both available for snack credits on the Disney Dining Plan. Plus, if you missed that waffle for breakfast, Sleepy Hollow serves them all day long.


Baked Potatoes From Liberty Square MarketBaked Potatoes From Liberty Square Market


Dinner
Tony's Town Square Restaurant is the place to go for classic pasta in the Magic Kingdom with large plates of spaghetti in a sweet marinara sauce. However if you're leaving the Park early so that you can get a good nights rest, head on over to California Grill for fantastic sushi, or the Grand Floridian Cafe to try the miso-glazed salmon with lemon sticky rice. Many Disney race weekends also feature a special hard ticket Pasta in the Park event the night before the races, it's a fun way to celebrate with the runDisney community before you all set off on the marathon.


Spaghetti And Meatballs from Tony's Town SquareSpaghetti And Meatballs from Tony's Town Square


Hey guys! These meals are what I might eat if I was carb-loading before a race, but I'm not a doctor or a nutritionist and none of this should be taken for medical advice. Check out these source articles from Runners World and the Mayo Clinic for more information on how to Carb-load safely. Thanks so much to our friends over at the Disney Food Blog for exclusive use of their images.

Do you carb-load before a runDisney event? Leave a comment below and share your favorite spots for pre-race dining at Disney!

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