Why Free Range Eggs Matter to Runners

This post was created in partnership with Pete and Gerry's Organic Eggs. All the views expressed here are my own. 

Eat to run. Run to eat.

For most runners I know, both are true. We eat to maximize our performance on the run and we run because we really, really like pizza and burgers and beer and wine and cupcakes.

When training ramps up and big goal races are on the calendar I tend to tune in carefully to what I’m putting in my body in terms of nutrition and hydration. If I want to run my best I also need to fuel my body as best I can. That means incorporating nutrient dense foods into my diet so that I’m fueling, repairing and helping my body recover.

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My go-to source of protein after nearly every single one of my early morning training runs is two Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs. My morning doesn’t feel complete without them. I pair a few over easy eggs with leftover roasted potatoes, some sautéed onion and a few baby tomatoes. That keeps me fueled for the day ahead and provides my body with the building blocks to help repair tired muscles.

Egg Nutrition

Eggs aren’t just a great protein source, they are high in essential vitamins that can be really beneficial to runners. Eggs are an excellent source of vitamin D and other fat soluble vitamins like A, E and K. When you incorporate eggs into your diet, use the whole egg! The yolk of the egg, which contains most of the fat (4.5g) is also rich in Choline. The yolk of one large egg can contain 147g of choline, about half the daily recommendation. According to a study on the importance of choline and acetylcholine in marathon runners, this essential nutrient to cell function is especially beneficial to endurance athletes where the brain-body connection and neuromuscular messages are so critical (Conlay, L. et. all, 1992).

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Pete and Gerry's Organic Egg Farm Tour with RunFarGirl

Cage Free vs Free Range

Not all eggs are created equally, which is why purchasing Pete and Gerry’s Free Range Organic Eggs is important to me as a runner. Many egg producers have adopted the “cage free” label, but according to the USDA, cage-free doesn’t mean hens have access to the outdoors like consumers believe.

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Pete and Gerry's Free Range chickens hanging out with my kids at our Pete and Gerry's Farm Tour.

Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs are Certified Humane by Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC), which has more stringent requirements than the USDA. This level of certification ensures that hens on each of Pete and Gerry’s family farms are outside for at least 6 hours each day and have a minimum pasture space requirement of 2 sq. ft per hen. You can find out more about Certified Humane from HERE.

So instead of mixing up that post-run smoothie, try cooking up a few Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs instead!

What is your go-to post-run breakfast?

-Sarah

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