It’s always a pleasure to work with people who are so knowledgeable about their specialism, and Anita Bean, author of The Runner’s Cook Book is one of those experts.

Sports nutritionist Anita Bean
In this film she shows us how quick and easy it is to make bite-sized DIY energy balls (recipe & book link below, scroll down), either as a snack before or after running, or to be wrapped up and taken on long runs and ultras.
Anita also explains in detail the micro-nutrients and properties of each of the ingredients and what benefit they have to runners either in terms of providing energy or promoting recovery.
Stay tuned to Wild Ginger Running YouTube channel for Anita’s favourite main course and pudding, coming soon. Also check out more nutrition advice for trail and ultra runners in my nutrition playlist here: bit.ly/Nutrition4TrailRuns
Watch the film here:

Get Anita’s book here:
The Runner’s Cookbook by Anita Bean
The Runner’s Cookbook: more than 100 delicious recipes to fuel your running
UK amzn.to/2F9oZeS
USA amzn.to/2S7k9UK
Canada amzn.to/2S1s2Lb
Having made several tasty meals from her collection of over 100 healthy recipes for runners, I really recommend this book. It also contains super useful info on fuelling for different distances of race including ultras, how to lose weight safely, the truth about supplements and sports nutrition products, and addresses common running nutrition myths. It’s an essential tool in your arsenal of running performance aids.
Why is nutrition so important for runners? Find out in Anita’s interview on Wild Ginger Running youtu.be/O9X5QIRQDBE
Recipe – DIY energy balls

DIY Almond, Cranberry & Dark Choc Chip Energy Balls – Anita Bean
Ingredients
125g oats
50g flaked almonds
50g dried cranberries
50g dark chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla essence
1.5 tbsp runny honey
125g nut butter
Method:
1 Mix all ingredients together with a wooden spoon or in a mixer
2 Squash into bite-sized balls or spread out and cut into flapjacks
3 Cling-film/foil wrap them (or for a more eco-friendly option, pop them into pre-used packaging for nuts, raisins, bread or other snacks)
4 Pop into your running pack and munch on your long run, or have a snack before or after running
5 EAT THEM!!! (They are delicious, watch out)
What alternative ingredients did you use in yours? Let me know in the YouTube comments.
Shelf life: I would say these would be fine for 1-3 days out of the fridge in a cool environment if you are using them on a long run, ultra or multi-day event. But if you plan to save them, I would refrigerate them for 5-7 days, or freeze them for 1-3 months. Thanks to Gina Thompson for asking this question as it is not covered in this film 🙂 Happy scoffing everyone!
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Twitter @AnitaBean
Instagram @AnitaBean1
Facebook www.facebook.com/anita.bean.12914
Website anitabean.co.uk/
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