6 Non-Pasta Recipes for Carb-Loading Before the Broad Street Run

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Many of you have race rituals. For some, that means wolfing down a plate of the pasta for dinner. The allure of spaghetti and marinara may be strong, but there are other ways to carb-load, too. To give you some pre-race inspiration, here are six carb-rich, non-pasta recipes to try out before the Blue Cross Broad Street Run. 

Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole with Butternut Squash and Cranberries // This colorful, comforting casserole calls for a pound and a half of butternut squash (which provides plenty of antioxidants and vitamin A), chicken, heart-healthy wild rice and reduced-sugar cranberries for an essential energy boost. Bonus: the recipe takes less than an hour to prepare and can easily be doubled in case you need to bring something for your running club. (Your running friends will thank you.)

Quinoa Beet Burger // You’ve probably heard that beets are nature’s candy, but they’re also chock full of healthy carbs to fuel a long run. Rather than chow down on a beet salad, try whipping up some vegan burger patties with black beans, quick oats and protein-packed quinoa. This easy recipe suggests topping them with sliced tomato, onion, a little barbecue sauce and a creamy slice of avocado.

Farro Salad with Fava Beans and Corn // A carbohydrate double whammy thanks to corn and farro, this recipe is upgraded from side dish to meatless main course thanks to filling additions like a pound and a half of fava beans and chopped walnuts. Stir with a citrus and Dijon mustard vinaigrette and top with some pecorino cheese and you’ve got yourself an addictive dish to munch pre-race.

Banana Sandwich with Honey and Lemon // Your childhood favorite receives a grownup twist thanks to sourdough bread, lemon zest and thyme. The natural sugars from the honey and potassium from the bananas will give you an essential race day boost.

Fish Taco Bowls with Cilantro Lime Crema // Carb-loading shouldn’t be bland or tedious, so introduce this flavorful, brown rice-based bowl into your rotation. The recipe is light on spices (so as not to irritate your stomach) and packed with fresh veggies (cabbage, cucumber and onion), complex carbs, healthy fats (thanks avocado!) and protein.

Turkey Shepherd’s Pie Stuffed Sweet Potatoes // Sweet potatoes are one of the lesser known carb-dense eats to consume before a race. Fill up on these antioxidant-packed, anti-inflammatory vegetables by making a few turkey shepherd’s pie stuffed sweet potatoes. The recipe might seem intimidating, but once you bake the sweet potatoes and sautè the veggies, you’re basically done. Even better, the turkey filling can be frozen and reheated later.

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