5 healing foods

FOODS THAT BOOST ENERGY
Whether you're injured or just tired, these foods will help you bounce back fast
By Kelly Bastone

PUBLISHED 03/01/2007
Runners would no sooner skip prerun carbs than dash out the door bare-foot. But when the miles are done, those same athletes might not think much at all about what they eat, as long as they get something. Injured runners logging time on the bike might even skip a meal altogether, in fear of gaining weight. Big mistake. Whether you're recovering from a tough tempo run or tendinitis, food delivers the nutrients your body needs to repair itself, making smart eating crucial to a strong body and a speedy recovery. "Recovery is just like fixing a house," says Cynthia Sass, R.D., a sports dietetics specialist in Tampa, Florida. "A crack in the foundation requires raw materials to patch things back together. In the body, those raw materials come from what we eat."

A combination of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals helps your body heal microtears from exercise and overused tendons and sprained ligaments. "Every part of the body is dependent on food for repair," says David Grotto, R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. On a cellular level, those repairs are constant, sidelining injury or not. Over time, if cells don't get the nutrients they need, muscles and connective tissues can weaken, leaving them more susceptible to injury. "The decisions we make with our fork can set up roadblocks against future injuries," Grotto says. So along with stretching, and icing if you need it, these healing foods will help you get back on the road as quickly as possible.

(1)Red Bell Pepper
Just one red bell pepper provides 380 percent of the recommended Daily Value of vitamin C, a nutrient crucial for repairing connective tissues and cartilage. By contributing to the formation of collagen, an important protein used to build scar tissue, blood vessels, and even new bone cells, vitamin C facilitates the healing process. "Work in vitamin C throughout the day, every two or three hours or so," says Sass, for five daily servings. Runners-up: papaya, cantaloupe, oranges

Read about the other 4 HERE