Our Top 5 Runner-Friendly Recipes of 2021

With the end of the year all but here, we’re looking back on some of the recipes we’ve published that stood out with you, our audience. The most popular choices are all functional, health-supporting foods that are easy to make and even easier to love. Head into the New Year with these five go-tos in your pocket, and you’ll have a jump-start on any healthy habits you’re vowing to make.

Iron-Rich No-Bake Granola Bars

Melting chocolate over Elyse Kopecky's no-bake granola
Melting chocolate over Elyse Kopecky's no-bake granola

These granola bars from Elyse Kopecky topped the list this year, and it’s the perfect season for them: The high iron content in this recipe makes for an ideal winter burnout buster. Running high mileage can deplete your iron stores, and it’s a key component for energy. This no-bake snack is loaded with chocolate, nuts, and blackstrap molasses.

Find the recipe here.

Hormone-Balancing Turkey Coconut Curry Soup

Elyse Kopecky's turkey coconut curry soup in bowls is a hormone balancing recipe
Elyse Kopecky's turkey coconut curry soup in bowls is a hormone balancing recipe

Another favorite from Elyse Kopecky, this soup recipe aims to help you balance hormones that may be out of sorts. It combines protein-rich, lean turkey with delicious curry flavor and hearty noodles. The healthy fats from coconut milk are what your body needs when your hormones aren’t functioning properly.

Find the recipe here.

Flourless Chocolate Chip Chickpea Blondies

chickpea-blondies
chickpea-blondies

This is a dessert with perks: These blondies, made with chickpeas, load up on protein and fiber and maintain a low glycemic index to avoid blood sugar spikes. Try them at least an hour before your next workout and your body (and tastebuds) will thank you.

Find the recipe here.

Three New Superhero Muffin Recipes

pumpkin-streusel-superhero-muffin
pumpkin-streusel-superhero-muffin

(Photo: Erin Scott)

The OG superhero muffin is a runner favorite recipe and weekly staple, so when Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky released a new book with tons more superhero muffin recipes, we had to try them all. These three were our standout favorites (and apparently yours, too!).

Find the recipes here.

Thai Quinoa Salad

Shalane Flanagan's favorite Thai quinoa salad
Shalane Flanagan's favorite Thai quinoa salad

Delicious, nutritious, and a Shalane Flanagan fave, this recipe has it all. Touted as Flanagan’s preferred marathon training meal, this salad hits the crunchy, savory, umami-heavy note that so many drab salads are missing. The quinoa adds protein and the peanuts provide healthy fats to keep you full.

Find the recipe here.