Best Antioxidants for Athletes

The 10 Best Superfoods for Endurance Athletes

These foods are loaded with antioxidants that will help you withstand any physical challenge

By Justin Park fitbie

6 of 11

Image: Thinkstock

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds (yes, the same ones used on Chia Pets) are an ancient American staple known as “running food” to Aztec and Mayan cultures. The tiny, tasteless seeds recently got a nod in the paean to running Born to Run, as the primary fuel of the mysterious Tarahumara Indians of Mexico who run barefoot across miles of deadly canyons. Their unique nutrient profile makes chia seeds a great choice for endurance athletes. One tablespoon contains 6 g carbs, 6 g protein, 6 g fiber, and a very high level of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, making them a nutrient-rich energy source.

Search: How to boost energy

Back to Start

6 of 11

Keywords:

Receive expert training advice every week!

The 10 Best Superfoods for Endurance Athletes

sites/default/files/colorful-veggies-fruits-antioxidants-th.jpg

%5B%7B%22link%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F05%5C%2F27%5C%2Fmeatless-monday-five-bean-salad%5C%22+title%3D%5C%22Meatless+Monday%3A+Five-Bean+Salad%5C%22%3EMeatless+Monday%3A+Five-Bean+Salad%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%22image%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F05%5C%2F27%5C%2Fmeatless-monday-five-bean-salad%5C%22%3E%3Cimg+src%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fsites%5C%2Fdefault%5C%2Ffiles%5C%2Ffive-bean-salad-meatless-monday-juicebar_1.jpg%5C%22+%5C%2F%3E%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%7D%2C%7B%22link%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F05%5C%2F24%5C%2Ffast-food-calories%5C%22+title%3D%5C%22Fast+Food+Contains+More+Calories+Than+You+Think%5C%22%3EFast+Food+Contains+More+Calories+Than...%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%22image%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F05%5C%2F24%5C%2Ffast-food-calories%5C%22%3E%3Cimg+src%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fsites%5C%2Fdefault%5C%2Ffiles%5C%2Fhardees_1.jpg%5C%22+%5C%2F%3E%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%7D%2C%7B%22link%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F05%5C%2F24%5C%2Fclone-fitness-hacks-make-exercising-easier%5C%22+title%3D%5C%22Clone+of+Fitness+Hacks+to+Make+Exercising+Easier%5C%22%3EClone+of+Fitness+Hacks+to+Make...%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%22image%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F05%5C%2F24%5C%2Fclone-fitness-hacks-make-exercising-easier%5C%22%3E%3Cimg+src%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fsites%5C%2Fdefault%5C%2Ffiles%5C%2Fweekly-blend-5-17-people-exercising-juicebar_1.jpg%5C%22+%5C%2F%3E%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%7D%2C%7B%22link%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fget-fit%5C%2Ftips%5C%2Fbad-fitness-tips%5C%22+title%3D%5C%22The+Most+Dangerous+Fitness+Advice%5C%22%3EThe+Most+Dangerous+Fitness+Advice%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%22image%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fget-fit%5C%2Ftips%5C%2Fbad-fitness-tips%5C%22%3E%3Cimg+src%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fsites%5C%2Fdefault%5C%2Ffiles%5C%2Fthe-most-dangerous-fitness-advice-th_0.jpg%5C%22+%5C%2F%3E%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%7D%2C%7B%22link%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fslideshow%5C%2Factive-dogs%5C%22+title%3D%5C%22The+Best+Dog+Breeds+for+Active+People%5C%22%3EThe+Best+Dog+Breeds+for+Active+People%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%22image%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fslideshow%5C%2Factive-dogs%5C%22%3E%3Cimg+src%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fsites%5C%2Fdefault%5C%2Ffiles%5C%2Fbest-dogs-for-active-people-th_0.jpg%5C%22+%5C%2F%3E%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%7D%5D