Gotta Run!

 

INDULGING THE SALT TOOTH!

by Andrea Medalie

Pacing Team, Andrea Medalie and partner, Mark

Pacing Team, Andrea Medalie and partner, Mark

I happened to be watching the Today Show the other day when Matt Lauer was interviewing Chief Medical Editor, Dr. Nancy Snyderman, about salt intake. Nancy referred to a new study from the American Journal of Hypertension when she stated that we are making too big a deal about too much salt for normal healthy people, normal healthy kidneys!

 

According to the study, a healthy person should consume between 2645 and 4945 milligrams of sodium, or 1-2 teaspoons per day which is significantly higher than once thought. Conversely, consuming too little salt can actually be dangerous as you need sodium and potassium for cells to function and move fluids across.

 

Well, that was simply music to my ears!!! Granted, that was just one study, which differs
greatly from other research currently out there, so don’t rush out and start consuming a ton of salt!!  The American Heart Association’s CEO, Nancy Brown, does not concur, according to MedPage Today. AHA scientists contend there are flaws in this new study and stick by their recommendation of  less than 1500 mg of sodium per day.

 

Gotta Run: Taproom Logo

 

For me personally, the study makes enough sense. Based on my lifestyle, I don’t have to feel so guilty about giving in to my very demanding salty tooth when the opportunity arises. I’m not one of those endurance athletes who barely breaks a sweat! No way!!! After one mile of running, no matter the climate, I’m already drenched, like I just stepped out of a shower!!! I’m a “schvitzer” from way back!

 

They say sweating is healthy but I say “blah,” especially when my hair and clothes are dripping wet all the time. Sweating does, indeed, cause you to lose essential electrolytes in the process, thus warranting hard core athletes to replenish frequently, as needed. That might explain why my ever-present salty tooth comes on with such a vengeance during training, in particular, after a marathon/ultra.

 

Last week’s inaugural Tomoka Marathon in Ormond Beach, FL was no exception. With humidity levels very high, not to mention rather warm temps right from the start, serious schvitzing was inevitable!! With another successful pacing job done 4 hours and 20 minutes later, I crossed the finish line, grabbed a water then made a bee line for the Michelob Ultra beer! Ahhh!!!!

 

Gotta Run: Taproom beer

 

My stomach was still a little unsettled so my appetite hadn’t kicked in yet. By the time we reached the car to leave, I ripped of my sweat-soaked clothes, busted open my bag of Skinny Pop (with the perfect amount of salt) that greeted me as I jumped in! I couldn’t get enough! Exercising restraint, I sealed the bag when we arrived at the hotel then grabbed a shower and a nap.

 

Skinny Pop Popcorn

Skinny Pop Popcorn

 

When I awoke, my salty tooth reared its ugly head once more. So my running partner, Mark, suggested we find a local beer joint that offers food as well. We scored with the Daytona Beach Taproom. At first glance, the place did NOT look vegan-friendly at all! It was all about these monster burgers grilled right in front of you at the bar. No problem as I saw hand cut fries on the menu with sea salt and hemp seeds! I was more than willing to look the other way, especially since I was with my partner, Mark, who is not vegan/vegetarian, and I knew he had a hunkering for a burger post race! Mark is extremely supportive of my needs and is typically plant-based whenever he is with me. So how could I deny him his cravings? After all, I too, crave a nice big juicy burger with the fixings on a fluffy bun (don’t have a cow!).  A veggie burger, that is. Something savory and hearty that I can sink my teeth into.

 

Gotta Run: Veggie Burger

 

I was in luck! The Taproom offers a homemade veg-burger option that I had topped with sautéed mushrooms, lettuce, tomato and pickle. The cooks were cognizant of cleaning off the grill for my burger and the golden salty fries were cooked in a dedicated fryer. Very cool!!! They were so good that we had to order another basket! Hey, we worked hard for these!!! We washed our meals down with a smooth, dark IPA on draft!

 

Gotta Run: Handcut Fries

 

And why so much beer?? No, we are NOT alcoholics! We don’t do this every day. As beer continues to grow in popularity, it is being offered more and more at endurance events, as a post race staple versus those sugary sweet artificial sports drinks. The hops, barley or wheat found in beer are associated with recovery! That might explain the natural cravings for it, much like salt. Plus, it’s very refreshing!!! Everything in moderation, I say! If you train hard like I do, then I think it’s okay to indulge and satisfy your cravings from time to time without sweating it!

 

So it’s back to plant-based whole foods for now. We realize we can’t eat like that all the time. Working hard towards a goal and rewarding yourself perpetuates an appreciation for an otherwise “forbidden fruit” while avoiding frequent binges. Besides, after my post-race eating frenzy, my body actually craves fresh veggies, fruit and plant protein as fuel. That is, until the next race.

 

Gotta run!!!

Andrea “VeGAL” Medalie

 

Andrea earned an MS degree from The University of Florida and is a mom to 3 incredible sons. She works as an independent Speech and Language Pathologist within a diverse population in the Northwest Broward County, FL area. She LOVES to plan destination marathons (when budget allows) where she get to visit new cities and discover fab vegan/veg friendly restaurants/cafes/markets. Andrea has been a vegetarian for over 20 years, vegan for about 10. “It’s very exciting to see how society is beginning to truly embrace veganism for improved health, animal welfare and a greener environment!” she exalts. Andrea has developed a blog (book in the making) for vegan female endurance/hard core fitness athletes a.k.a.VeGAL (Vegan Girl AthLetes). Andrea’s territory is all of South Florida!  Contact Andrea to review your favorite veg-friendly restaurants within her territory.

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