As you are probably aware, commercial versions of many sport nutrition products are not always the healthiest option. Commonly packed with artificial flavours, refined carbohydrates, denatured proteins and sometimes even harmful fats, I certainly did not want to consume anything that did not put overall health first. Some commercial options are not as bad as they once were; however, I like to know exactly what goes into mine and keep them completely natural. I opt to make my own. Whole food energy bars, sport drinks, energy gels, energy pudding, post workout recovery drink, whole food meal replacement smoothie and even performance pancakes – all part of my specific sport nutrition program.

The body’s first choice for fuel during intense exercise is simple carbohydrate. However, once the body has burned all the simple carbohydrate available it will then opt for available complex carbohydrates. It is in the best interest of the athlete to ensure the body is provided with enough simple carbohydrate to fuel activity so that complex carbohydrate is not relied upon. If the body has to resort to burning complex carbohydrate while exercising at a high intensity it will have to use extra energy in order to convert the complex carbohydrate into simple carbohydrate. Additionally, if too much protein is eaten before intense exercise it will likely cause muscle cramping due to the fact that it requires more fluid to be metabolized than does carbohydrate or fat. Also, protein in not what you want to have your body burning for fuel. Protein is for building muscle, not fuelling it. When protein is consumed in place of carbohydrate immediately before exercise, and therefore burned as fuel, it burns “dirty,” meaning that toxins are created as a result of its combustion. The production and elimination of toxins is of course a stress on the body and as such causes a stress response. Ultimately endurance will decline.

For a pre exercise snack, the most important factor is digestibility. If the food eaten shortly before a training session or race requires a large amount of energy to digest, it will of course leave the body with less, the last thing needed before exercise. Additionally, hard-to-breakdown food will require more blood be sent to the stomach to aid in the digestion process. Of course when blood is in the stomach it can’t be in the extremities delivering oxygen and removing waste products, which is a requirement for optimal physical performance. It is also not uncommon for a “stitch” to occur in the diaphragm area if food has not been digested completely before a workout or race, especially an intense one, begins.

For high-intensity shorter training and racing, it is beneficial to fuel up on simple carbohydrate. The healthiest source of this is fruit. Dates are a good choice since they are rich in a simple carbohydrate called glucose. Glucose goes straight to the liver for immediate energy. The body does not have to convert it to a different form to utilize, making glucose-rich-foods the ideal primary fuel before or during a high-intensity workout. However, it burns quickly, meaning that if glucose is the only carbohydrate source, it will have to be replenished about every 20 minutes after 1 hour of intense activity to keep the body adequately fuelled.

If I’m going to perform a mid range to longer workout that lasts up to 3 hours, but is still quite intense or compete in a race such as a marathon, I will have a nutritionally balanced raw bar. In addition to the dates,  I include a small amount of alkaline protein, usually raw hemp, and an EFA source such as ground flax seeds or soaked almonds for prolonged, high net gain energy. In my new book, The Thrive Diet, I also include recipes for sport drinks, energy gels and recovery smoothies.

Try this recipe before your next run.

These nutrient-packed bars are easy to make and offer a convenient way to carry whole food nutrition with you.

1 cup fresh or soaked dates

1/4 cup almonds

1/4 cup blueberries

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/4 cup ground flaxseed*

1/4 cup hemp protein powder*

1/4 cup unhulled sesame seeds

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp lemon zest

Sea salt to taste

1/2 cup sprouted or cooked buckwheat (optional)

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

In a food processor, process all ingredients except the buckwheat and frozen blueberries. Knead buckwheat and berries into mixture by hand.

To shape as bars, flatten the mixture on the clean surface with your hands. Place plastic wrap over top; with a rolling pin, roll mixture to desired bar thickness. Cut mixture into bars.

Alternatively, form mixture into a brick; cut as though slicing bread.

Makes approximately 12 50-gram bars.

* For even greater nutrient value, ground flax and hemp protein can be substituted on a 1:1 ratio with Vega Whole Food Smoothie Infusion or, better yet, Vega Whole Food Meal Replacement.

Brendan Brazier is one of only a few professional athletes in the world whose diet is 100 percent plant-based. He’s a professional Ironman triathlete, bestselling author on performance nutrition, and the creator of an award-winning line of whole food nutritional products called VEGA. He is also a two-time Canadian 50km Ultra Marathon Champion.

Nominated in 2006 for the Manning Innovation Award, Canada’s most prestigious award for innovation, Brendan was shortlisted for the formulation of VEGA.

In 2006, Brendan was invited to address US Congress on Capitol Hill, where he spoke of the significant social and economic benefits that could be achieved by improving personal health through better diet. The focus of his speech was to draw attention to the role that food plays in the prevention of most chronic diseases currently plaguing North Americans.

In 2007 Brendan returned to Capital Hill to lobby against the Farm Bill and was named one of the 25 most Fascinating Vegetarians by VegNews magazine.

Brendan’s latest book, The Thrive Diet (Perseus 2008), includes 100 plant-based whole food recipes and a sport-specific section with recipes for homemade energy bars, sport drinks, energy gels and recovery smoothies.

Brendan is from Vancouver but spends most of his time on the road. When not on the road he resides in Los Angeles.

Jon’s Jungle Gym product is my favorite piece of training equipment. It weighs less than a pound and easily fits into my suitcase. Since I live most of my life on the road, it’s ideal. I can do a high-quality full-body workout in my hotel room. Combined with running, it’s all I need to stay strong and lean while traveling!

- Brendan Brazier: professional ironman triathlete, two-time Canadian 50km ultra marathon champ, bestselling author of The Thrive Diet and formulator of Vega.