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The Best Pantry Staples for Runners

These pantry staples for runners are long shelf life foods that will improve performance and recovery.

clear jars with pantry staples

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One of my favorite topics for runners is eating enough, as you probably know. While I think many people focus on the training aspects of running, I prefer to focus on fueling.

Running and training is nothing without sufficient, adequate and proper fueling.

And if you’re ready to follow your marathon training nutrition plan, what you choose to put in your body based on what’s available is imperative. 

With fall marathon season here, it’s weird to not be experiencing the excitement leading up to races, like the Boston Marathon and Chicago marathon.

But truthfully, these healthy pantry staples are great for runners to eat year round (and work great as athlete snacks), and can be monumental leading up to the spring 2021 marathon season. 

I’ve written about pantry staples for healthy eating, and I’ve written about many of these when recovering from a half marathon.

So, why not combine them and discuss the best pantry staples for runners, which is loosely based off of this grocery list for runners

Having an efficient pantry is a key for eating properly. I love getting many of my pantry staples from Thrive Market!

The prices are unbeatable and they have such a variety and selection – kinda like Trader Joe’s and costco in one!

These long shelf life foods are great for getting more bang for your buck, and always having runner-friendly food options available.

Plus, they make for great Thursday night dinner ideas and exciting mid-week Wednesday night dinner pick me ups, and even eating for marathon training nutrition with many of these staples.

That being said, today I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite pantry staples for runners. This is another post in my spring sports nutrition collection.

pumpkin granola recipe batter in blue bowl before baking

Instead, these kitchen staples have a great home in the pantry and are foods that last a long time.

Some of these foods are more processed than others, but that doesn’t necessarily make them unhealthy!

If you want to learn more about that, check out whole vs. processed foods.

Pantry staples make quick easy meals for athletes come together in a convenient fashion.

thrive market
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Carbohydrate Pantry Staples

As we all know, carbohydrates are a runner’s best friend and the instant fuel and energy for runners.

Therefore, carbohydrates should make up the bulk of kitchen staples for runners and food pantry items.

Whether you’re a new runner looking for nutrition advice or a seasonal one, carbs are essential. 

Eating certain carbohydrates at distinct times can really help with reducing stomach pain during running and reducing stomach pain after running. 

Oats, granola, maple syrup are staples for runners

Especially carbohydrates with superstarch, like those from Generation UCAN. I always keep the energy bars and hydration powder on hand!

And, fortunately, many of these on the pantry list for runners are long shelf life foods, meaning you don’t have to replace them as often.

Ucan fueling
Click here to order

You can buy them in bulk to save money and not worry about them going bad.

Buying in bulk is also one of my favorite tips to save money on groceries!

Here are our favorite carbohydrate pantry staples, which can work great as pre game snacks:

Now, let’s break each one down a little further. All of these are great staples for meals for vegan runners!

Oats

Probably my most recommended pantry staple for runners.

Oats are so versatile and can be a blank canvas for toppings and flavor. Whether you like a bowl of hot oats, overnight oats, sweet potato baked oatmeal or vegan energy bites with oats, these are a must-have.

Full of complex carbohydrates, fiber, iron and beta-glucans (great for lowering cholesterol), these will help provide quick energy as well as longer lasting energy.

Dried Fruit

I always have raisins on hand because they are the easiest possible snack around. I also love dried mango and tart dried cherries, which you can get in bulk at Costco. And Sunmaid’s sour raisins are my favorite!

Tart cherries (and tart cherry juice) are great for runners and may help with muscle recovery and reducing inflammation from oxidative stress.

Dried tart cherries are great for runners

Pasta

While there are many types of pasta on the market, I like the good old white and wheat pasta.

Pasta is the most basic pantry staples for runners, and as easy of a meal option as they come. It’s great for mixing with vegetables and can cook up quickly, when you’re hangry hungry after a run.

If you choose pasta-alternatives or other protein pastas, be sure you’re still getting sufficient carbohydrates in your meal.

If you have more time, we love this veggie pasta bake in our house. Sometimes I make a few each week (and freeze one) to quickly reheat. Or, use egg noodles as a base in this easy egg noodle stir fry

Veggie Pasta Bake with one piece missing

Granola & Trail Mix

The best easy snack for runners. You get the nutritional boost of oats, dried fruit, and healthy, inflammation-reducing unsaturated fats from nuts and seeds.

I love the Ancient Grains storebought one, but it’s so easy to make your own (like this pumpkin peanut butter granola or coconut maple cinnamon granola).

Ancient grains granola from Costco

Maple Syrup

Maple syrup is a great carbohydrate and simple sugar source for runners. But, another reason it’s on the pantry list for runners is because it also has micronutrients, like zinc, iron, manganese, potassium and calcium.

I love buying this at Costco because you get a much larger size for your money. True maple syrup (and you want the real stuff) can be expensive, so this is one of my pantry staples for runners to buy in bulk.

Sweetpotatoes and Potatoes

Another no-brainer that this deserves on kitchen staples list.

Sweetpotatoes are bursting with complex carbs, which help to replenish those glycogen stores that runners deplete after long runs.

Plus, they also have ample beta carotene, an antioxidant and a precursor for Vitamin A, which can help with recovery and immunity.

Additionally, they have Vitamin C, iron and potassium.

I love them in my sweetpotato breadsweetpotato ginger energy bites and ground turkey sweetpotato burgers.

Sweet Potato Energy Bites

Sweetpotatoes are also a food to cook once and reuse throughout the week and into the future (a freezer friend)!

If you need inspiration, check out these 25+ leftover sweet potato recipes.

Whole Wheat Bread & Baking Essentials

We usually have loaves of bread on hand, and I do a lot of baking with white whole wheat flour and almond flour.

These almond flour oatmeal muffins are great energy-rich snacks and easy to grab and go and take for a post-workout snack or to the office.

Protein Pantry Staples

Some of these contain carbohydrates too, but have a larger proportion of protein. Usually, when we’re hungry and need food quick, we turn to carbohydrates.

And they may satisfy that initial hunger, but often times, we need more substantial energy, in the form of protein and/or fat.

So, keeping these kitchen staples on hand will be a life saver.

beans and legumes for runners

Kodiak Cakes

I’m a sucker for pancakes, and Kodiak Cakes makes it easy to make them quickly (not just reserved for Saturdays). They also use whey protein powder to up the protein content in pancakes, making them a more well-balanced meal option.

Still, great to add fruit, seeds, and nuts/nut butter for a more complete meal.

This is one of my favorite post long run meals. Plus, they contain carbohydrates too.

Kodiak Cakes with fruit and peanut butter with running watch

Canned salmon and tuna

One of the quickest sources of protein and healthy fats. I love to buy the bulk cans of canned tuna or salmon at Costco, and they usually last a few months.

Adding seafood into your diet can be as easy as adding tuna into pasta – this tuna pasta salad without mayo is a great start!

When I need a quick snack or meal, I just pop some on bread or an english muffin for a sandwich, or have some with crackers and hummus.

If you want to disguise the taste a little more, form them into zucchini salmon fritters!

Considering how nutrient-dense canned fish is (and how budget friendly it is!), it is a fabulous option for cheap meals for college students.

Kirkland canned pink salmon

Quinoa

Quinoa can be bland on its own, so I always like to cook it in chicken broth or coconut milk.

I also love a good cheesy quinoa or using quinoa in this turkey taco quinoa skillet.

Quinoa is great for a quick salad option, quinoa mango salad, or mixing with legumes, canned bean recipes or canned tuna.

Plus, it’s a complete protein (meaning it contains all the essential amino acids that our body can’t make) with 8 grams of protein per cup (cooked).

Quinoa is another one of my favorite pantry staples and long shelf life foods. Buying it in bulk saves alot of money!

Mango Lime Quiona Salad with spatula

Peanut Butter

If you’re a regular reader, this is not surprising. I don’t go a day without peanut butter.

I often involve it in multiple meals and snacks every day. It’s an easy source of protein and unsaturated fats (great for reducing inflammation after long runs), and also provides magnesium and zinc.

The Kirkland brand of peanut butter is my favorite. Not only is it just peanuts and salt, it is the ultimate creamy peanut butter.

And I’ve tried ALOT of peanut butters. Plus, the size alone is unbeatable. 

bread with peanut butter and banana

Or, if you prefer making your own peanut butter, this homemade salted peanut butter is a game changer.

Lentils and Canned Beans

Legumes, lentils and beans represent ways to add plant-based protein to your lifestyle!

Canned beans are certainly one of the pantry staples because they cook in minutes and can be added to anything (pasta, rice, salads, soups).

I prefer canned beans (rather than dry beans) on the pantry list for runners because they cook much quicker, and usually, time is of the essence!

Beans and lentils are so versatile – these kid friendly lentil recipes also work for adults, too!

Easy vegetarian dinner with chickpeas and vegetables

Chickpea Pasta

Love having this on hand as an alternative (with more protein) to regular pasta.

We like to mix them together and add some frozen vegetables and cheese in for a quick meal!

Chickpea pasta with canned salmon

If we were talking about fridge essentials, I would also add eggs (the most versatile ingredient there is, in my opinion) and yogurt. And for freezer essentials, frozen vegetables are a staple in our house.

Other Pantry Staples

  • Flax Seeds and Chia Seeds – These are easy toppings for salads, oatmeal, yogurt, baked goods and more. Extra unsaturated fats, iron, calcium, protein and other micronutrients. Plus, so many benefits of chia seeds for runners!
  • Coffee – There is some research showing that caffeine may be an ergogenic aid in regards to sports performance, but it is on an individual basis (as we all react differently and may be sensitive to different amounts).
  • Olive Oil or Avocado Oil – Avocado oil is great for high heat cooking, but both options are great sources of unsaturated fats.
  • Electrolytes – Electrolytes are vital for runners, especially in warm weather running. We lose electrolytes through sweat, so it’s important to replenish them for optimal performance. They help with the exchange of nutrients and waste products between cells, fluid balance, blood pressure, regulating pH and more. You can find them in single serving packets or in bulk. 

I love UCan, Skratch and Nuun

Nuun tub and skratch electrolyte packets

Well, there you have it. Those are some of my most-used pantry staples and what’s on my pantry list for runners.

Curious to hear what’s on yours!

What are your favorite pre/post run pantry staples?

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  1. Great list!! Did you use Vega protein powder during pregnancy too? I know you’re supposed to consult your doctor and it’s more of a personal choice but just curious. I’m pregnant and still enjoy protein powders.

    1. I did! This recent pregnancy I mainly used the Garden of Life one just because I bought it once and really liked it. But yes, would definitely talk with your doctor. Congratulations on your pregnancy, Dee!

  2. Oats is my favorite carbohydrate and quinoa for my protein. I would usually prepare overnight oats for my breakfast, this can last me not feeling hungry until lunch time. Then quinoa for lunch and dinner. These 2 are the best superfoods for me.

  3. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that granola at Costco but I’m definitely going to look for it when I go this weekend. Looks tasty! I’m all about the Kirkland peanut butter too. When a late night hangry feeling sets in, give me a spoon and that peanut butter and I’m good to go.