--- title: Food and Drink Myths description: Knowing how to fuel your body for a workout may be as difficult as the workout itself. Learn about the myths and facts regarding your food and drink intake. image: https://blog.landice.com/hubfs/Food-myths.jpg --- [![Landice logo with red roller and white typeface](https://blog.landice.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Landice_white-letter-logo-2023.png?width=215&height=45&name=Landice_white-letter-logo-2023.png)](https://www.landice.com)   - [Residential](https://www.landice.com/collections/residential-fitness-equipment) - [Treadmills](https://www.landice.com/collections/residential-treadmills) - [Bikes](https://www.landice.com/collections/exercise-bikes-residential) - [Elliptical](https://www.landice.com/products/e7-elliptical-landice-achieve) - [Genesis Folding Treadmill](https://www.landice.com/products/m2-genesis-treadmill) - [Clearance](https://www.landice.com/collections/clearance) - [Commercial](https://www.landice.com/collections/commercial-fitness-equipment) - [Treadmills](https://www.landice.com/collections/commercial-fitness-treadmills) - [Bikes](https://www.landice.com/collections/commercial-fitness-exercise-bikes) - [Elliptical](https://www.landice.com/products/e9-elliptical-landice-achieve) - [Rehabilitation](https://www.landice.com/collections/rehabilitation-fitness-equipment) - [Treadmills](https://www.landice.com/collections/rehabilitation-treadmills) - [Bikes](https://www.landice.com/collections/rehabilitation-exercise-bikes) - [Elliptical](https://www.landice.com/products/e9-elliptical-landice-achieve) - [Accessories](https://www.landice.com/collections/accessories) - [Blog](https://blog.landice.com/blog) [![Landice\_logo (1)](https://blog.landice.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Landice_logo%20(1).png?width=258&height=54&name=Landice_logo%20(1).png)](https://landice.com/) - [Residential](https://www.landice.com/collections/residential-fitness-equipment) - [Treadmills](https://www.landice.com/collections/residential-treadmills) - [Bikes](https://www.landice.com/collections/exercise-bikes-residential) - [Elliptical](https://www.landice.com/products/e7-elliptical-landice-achieve) - [Genesis Folding Treadmill](https://www.landice.com/products/m2-genesis-treadmill) - [Clearance](https://www.landice.com/collections/clearance) - [Commercial](https://www.landice.com/collections/commercial-fitness-equipment) - [Treadmills](https://www.landice.com/collections/commercial-fitness-treadmills) - [Bikes](https://www.landice.com/collections/commercial-fitness-exercise-bikes) - [Elliptical](https://www.landice.com/products/e9-elliptical-landice-achieve) - [Rehabilitation](https://www.landice.com/collections/rehabilitation-fitness-equipment) - [Treadmills](https://www.landice.com/collections/rehabilitation-treadmills) - [Bikes](https://www.landice.com/collections/rehabilitation-exercise-bikes) - [Elliptical](https://www.landice.com/products/e9-elliptical-landice-achieve) - [Accessories](https://www.landice.com/collections/accessories) - [Blog](https://blog.landice.com/blog) [Menu](https://blog.landice.com/blog/food-and-drink-myths#nav) [Home](https://landice.com)   /   [News](https://blog.landice.com/blog) # News # Food and Drink Myths July 15, 2019 [![Food and Drink Myths](https://blog.landice.com/hubfs/Food-myths.jpg)](https://blog.landice.com/blog/food-and-drink-myths)   [Over the years, I have heard a lot about what to eat, what to drink and when to do it. Some of the information is useful and some of it just doesn't add up.](https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/healthy-eating-for-runners?fbclid=IwAR3kfssg8DLy8aSVhUmfHB2WDV1s4IfZR24fring09_of-z2n8zpn9X59MM) [While food is fuel, we may be the only species that has trouble knowing how to fill up the tank. All the other animals in the kingdom know what to do, except us. And to compound this, it seems everyone has an opinion on what works -- and they're willing to tell you about it.](https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/healthy-eating-for-runners?fbclid=IwAR3kfssg8DLy8aSVhUmfHB2WDV1s4IfZR24fring09_of-z2n8zpn9X59MM) [Not that we have all answers, we did go through some of the more common things we athletes (and I mean, people who exercise) encounter. Below are some of the myths we wanted to share with you and some of the current thinking about them.](https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/healthy-eating-for-runners?fbclid=IwAR3kfssg8DLy8aSVhUmfHB2WDV1s4IfZR24fring09_of-z2n8zpn9X59MM) # [Myths and Facts ABOUT FOOD & DRINK](https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/healthy-eating-for-runners?fbclid=IwAR3kfssg8DLy8aSVhUmfHB2WDV1s4IfZR24fring09_of-z2n8zpn9X59MM) [**Myth:** Carbs are bad for you.](https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/healthy-eating-for-runners?fbclid=IwAR3kfssg8DLy8aSVhUmfHB2WDV1s4IfZR24fring09_of-z2n8zpn9X59MM) [**Fact:**](https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/healthy-eating-for-runners?fbclid=IwAR3kfssg8DLy8aSVhUmfHB2WDV1s4IfZR24fring09_of-z2n8zpn9X59MM)[For some reason carbs have gotten a bad name. It went from being something that fuels your body and gives you energy to something that’s supposedly going to make you gain weight. The truth, though? They’re pretty crucial and shouldn't be avoided.](https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/healthy-eating-for-runners?fbclid=IwAR3kfssg8DLy8aSVhUmfHB2WDV1s4IfZR24fring09_of-z2n8zpn9X59MM) [Carbs are essential for body functions. And if you’re an athlete, or someone exercising a lot, your body *really* needs carbs to maximize your performance and also to help you build muscle. Your body uses carbs to replenish your body with the glycogen that was used up during your exercise session. Without the carbs, your body would dip into its own stores of protein to get the glycogen, possibly leaving your body short of the protein it needs to help your muscles recover and grow.](https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/healthy-eating-for-runners?fbclid=IwAR3kfssg8DLy8aSVhUmfHB2WDV1s4IfZR24fring09_of-z2n8zpn9X59MM) #### See our new M1 video. Click to play [**Myth:** Carb-loading is essential before a race.](https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/healthy-eating-for-runners?fbclid=IwAR3kfssg8DLy8aSVhUmfHB2WDV1s4IfZR24fring09_of-z2n8zpn9X59MM) [**Fact:** When I was running high school cross country, the team would get together for a big pasta dinner the night before a race. In fact, to this day, some of the big races sponsor carb-loading get togethers before the big day. The thinking is is that carbs provide power, and you need power during a race. However, eating too many carbs will cause weight gain because when muscles pack in glycogen, they also add water — and therefore weight, giving you more to carry around on your race.](https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/healthy-eating-for-runners?fbclid=IwAR3kfssg8DLy8aSVhUmfHB2WDV1s4IfZR24fring09_of-z2n8zpn9X59MM) Try eating carbs a full day before a race. In fact, carbs eaten days earlier or for breakfast before a race do not seem to impact performance. **Myth:** Low-carb, high-fat diets are a proven way to improve performance. **Fact:** This approach forces the body to use fat as its fuel source instead of glycogen (which is the fuel created from carbs). We have more fat stores in our body than glycogen, so the theory goes that with this diet you can run further without needing to restore your fuel supply. This eating plan caught on first with the ultramarathon community and is trickling down to shorter races. [One study](http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/25/should-athletes-eat-fat-or-carbs/) of serious athletes showed that exercising strenuously in the afternoon, depriving yourself of carbohydrates afterward, training gently the next morning and then swallowing a mound of pancakes might be a useful way to improve endurance and performance. But **there is not much science showing that this type of diet enhances performance in the average athlete.** **Myth:** Dairy products are fattening and unhealthy. **Fact:** Dairy products are an important food group because they have [protein](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/Dictionary/P/protein) your body needs to build muscles and help organs work well, and [calcium](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/Dictionary/C/calcium) to strengthen bones. Most dairy products, such as milk and some yogurts, have added vitamin D to help your body use calcium, since many Americans don’t get enough of these nutrients. Dairy products made from fat-free or low-fat milk have fewer calories than dairy products made from whole milk.  **Myth:** You need prepackaged energy products to run. **Fact:** If goos, gels and sports drinks turn your stomach, you prefer less-processed products or even if you just want to save money, you can make your own fuel. It’ll take some testing and culinary skills, but it’s possible (and the only option people had before running fuel became big business). Nature has made it’s own energy foods in the form of raisins, dates or dried cherries. You can make your own sports drink with water, salt and sugar or create your own energy gels by puréeing and combining things like bananas, honey, peanut butter, lemon juice, agave nectar, coconut water and salt.  **Myth:** Choosing foods that are gluten-free will help you eat healthier. **Fact:** Gluten-free foods are not healthier if you don’t have [celiac disease](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/celiac-disease) or are not sensitive to gluten. Gluten is a [protein](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/Dictionary/P/protein) found in wheat, barley, and rye grains. A health care professional is likely to prescribe a gluten-free eating plan to treat people who have celiac disease or are sensitive to gluten. If you don’t have these health problems but avoid gluten anyway, you may not get the vitamins, fiber, and minerals you need. A gluten-free diet is not a weight-loss diet and is not intended to help you lose weight. **Myth:** Sports drinks are healthful beverages. **Fact:** Sports drinks are a notable tool for effective training and racing. However, outside of long and/or hard workouts, when you significantly deplete your glycogen stores, they’re of little benefit. In fact, casual athletes are likely to never need them. Except when you use them for performance for training purposes, they fall into the category as other sugary beverages, and provide little quality to your diet. Instead of a sports drink choose juice, a low-sodium vegetable drink, low-fat milk, or good old water. Making the switch will enhance your diet with nutrient-rich beverages instead of excess sugar.      Share: - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ### Also in Landice Fitness Blog [![Stretching after a gym workout, a woman improves mobility and eases muscle stiffness. This practice enhances recovery and fosters long-term health with targeted post exercise care.](https://blog.landice.com/hubfs/Woman-stretching.png)](https://blog.landice.com/blog/incorporating-flexibility-and-mobility-exercises-into-your-routine) ##### [Incorporating Flexibility and Mobility Exercises into Your Routine](https://blog.landice.com/blog/incorporating-flexibility-and-mobility-exercises-into-your-routine) April 02, 2026 [View full article →](https://blog.landice.com/blog/incorporating-flexibility-and-mobility-exercises-into-your-routine) [![Panoramic Side view of beautiful young asian woman running on treadmill and listening to music via headphone with arm a smart watch for tracking speed during sports training in a gym.](https://blog.landice.com/hubfs/Mental-Health.jpg)](https://blog.landice.com/blog/the-mental-health-benefits-of-regular-cardio-exercise) ##### [The Mental Health Benefits of Regular Cardio Exercise](https://blog.landice.com/blog/the-mental-health-benefits-of-regular-cardio-exercise) December 17, 2025 [View full article →](https://blog.landice.com/blog/the-mental-health-benefits-of-regular-cardio-exercise) [![Smiling Young Active Female using a theraband exercise band to strengthen her arms muscles in the studio sitting in butterfly position](https://blog.landice.com/hubfs/Woman-stretching-with-band.jpg)](https://blog.landice.com/blog/what-you-do-outside-workout) ##### [What You Do Outside Your Workouts Is Just As Important](https://blog.landice.com/blog/what-you-do-outside-workout) April 16, 2025 [View full article →](https://blog.landice.com/blog/what-you-do-outside-workout) [![Landice logo with red roller and white typeface](https://blog.landice.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Landice_white-letter-logo-2023.png?width=150&height=31&name=Landice_white-letter-logo-2023.png "Landice logo with red roller and white typeface")](https://blog.landice.com/) #### Company [Find a Dealer](https://www.landice.com/pages/dealer-locator) [Service Locator](https://www.landice.com/pages/service-locator) [Cookie Policy](https://www.landice.com/pages/cookie-policy) [Privacy Policy](https://www.landice.com/pages/privacy-policy) [Proposition 65](https://www.landice.com/pages/proposition-65) [Terms of Use](https://www.landice.com/pages/terms-conditions) [Marketing Kit](https://www.landice.com/pages/hsa-fsa)[HSA/FSA](https://www.landice.com/pages/hsa-fsa) #### Support [Order Parts](https://www.landice.com/pages/landice-parts-request-form) [Product Manuals](https://www.landice.com/pages/owners-manuals) [Product Registration](https://www.landice.com/pages/landice-product-registration-form) [Technical Manuals](https://www.landice.com/pages/technical-manuals) [Technical FAQs](https://www.landice.com/pages/technical-faqs) [Shipping FAQs](https://www.landice.com/pages/shipping-terms-faqs) [Technical Support Contact](https://www.landice.com/pages/technical-support-contact) [Technical Videos](https://www.landice.com/pages/technical-videos) [Warranty Cards](https://www.landice.com/pages/warranty-cards)   #### Customer Service [Sales Support Contact](https://www.landice.com/pages/landice-sales-support-contact) [About Your Order](https://www.landice.com/pages/about-your-order) [Financing Information](https://www.landice.com/pages/product-financing) [Landice Warranties](https://www.landice.com/pages/warranties) [Return Policy](https://www.landice.com/pages/landice-return-policy) [Residential FAQs](https://www.landice.com/pages/residential-faqs) [Terms & Conditions](https://www.landice.com/pages/terms-conditions) [Contact Us](https://www.landice.com/pages/contact-us) [Do not sell or share my personal information](https://www.landice.com/pages/data-sale-opt-out)   ###### Exclusive offers straight to your inbox Join to get special offers, free giveaways, and once-in-a-lifetime deals. © 2026 [Landice](https://landice.com/). 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