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The Best Running Nutrition for Dietary Restrictions

Whether you're vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, or just trying to fuel your body with good, clean food, there are plenty of tasty running nutrition choices that fit your needs. Below, we've outlined what to watch out for as well as some of our favorite options.
Updated: July 8, 2021

Some of the best nutrition options

Dietary Restriction

Our Top Picks

Vegan Nutrition

Maurten Drink Mix 160

Shop Maurten

Gluten-Free Nutrition

Hammer Bar

Shop Hammer Nutrition

Dairy-Free Nutrition

Tailwind Rebuild Recovery Drink

Shop Tailwind Nutrition

Soy-Free Nutrition

Skratch Labs Sport Energy Chews

Shop Skratch Labs

Nut-Free Nutrition

SiS Bake Bars

Shop SiS


Vegan Running Nutrition

Be especially aware of:

  • Many recovery drinks use whey protein, which is a derivative of milk
  • Whey protein found in energy and recovery bars
  • Milk products that sneak their way in via chocolate
  • Some bars contain egg products

Our Favorite Vegan Options

  • Skratch Labs Vegan Recovery Drink Mix: A simple and tasty solution to your post-workout recovery needs with the Skratch Labs Vegan Sport Recovery Mix 12-Serving. This vegan recovery mix uses a blend of pea and rice proteins to improve muscle recovery and repair. It also includes probiotics for improved gut health and is designed with all-natural ingredients to provide an ideal ratio of carbohydrates to protein to replace glycogen in depleted muscles quickly and effectively.
  • Maurten Drink Mix 160: With only 5 natural ingredients, runners can fuel their run and avoid GI distress. Once digested, the acidity of your stomach transforms the mix into a hydrogel that contains high amounts of carbs resulting in hydration and energy.

Dairy-Free Running Nutrition

Be especially aware of:

  • Many recovery drinks use whey protein, which is derived from milk
  • Whey protein found in bars
  • Milk products that sneak their way in via chocolate

Our Favorite Dairy-Free options

  • Tailwind Rebuild Recovery Drink: Made with coconut milk powder for creaminess, this recovery drink can be mixed with water, but it's especially good with your preferred non-dairy milk alternative.
  • Skratch Labs Anytime Energy Bar: The Skratch Labs Anytime Energy Bar Individual is an excellent option for those seeking a clean snack between meals or extra fuel during a long workout. Your body can quickly digest the natural plant-based ingredients, providing continuous energy to help you perform at your best.

Gluten-Free Running Nutrition

Be especially aware of:

  • Wheat products used in bars and waffles
  • Grains like oats, barley, and rye, which are sometimes used in bars

Our Favorite Gluten-Free Options

  • Gu Energy Chews: GU Energy Chews are tasty gummies that offer all the nutrition and performance benefits of a GU Energy Gel while satisfying your craving for solid food. A blend of carbohydrates, electrolytes, and amino acids helps replace what you have lost during long duration runs so you can keep pushing your limits..
  • Hammer Gel: Hammer Gel is a great tasting fuel source made with real fruit and wholesome ingredients, ensuring you have reliable, sustained energy to drop the hammer when the pace picks up

Soy-Free Running Nutrition

Be especially aware of:

  • Soy protein is commonly used in both recovery drink mixes and energy bars

Our Favorite Soy-Free Options

  • Hammer Organic Vegan Recoverite: The Hammer Organic Vegan Recoverite 32-Servings offers a vegan recovery protein to help you recover quickly after a solid run without compromising dietary restrictions. Its organic pea protein and carbohydrate blend provide a well-balanced profile that is easy for your stomach to digest while also restoring energy.
  • Skratch Labs Sport Energy Chews: For those with soy-free dietary restrictions, this delicious long-run snack is made with a simple recipe that's easy on the stomach. Flavoured with real fruit and made without any colouring or flavouring agents, these chews are a simple solution to keeping your energy flowing.

Nut-Free Running Nutrition

Be especially aware of:

  • Energy bars often contain tree nuts, peanuts, or various other nut butter

Our Favorite Nut-Free Options

  • Clif Blok Energy Chews: Clif Shot Bloks Energy Chews supply your body with carbohydrates and electrolytes in a delicious chew form. Simple to handle and easy to eat while moving thanks to the Fastpak packaging design, chew a few before you run and stash them away for a mid-run energy boost.
  • GU Energy Chews: GU Energy Chews Individual are tasty gummies that offer all the nutrition and performance benefits of a GU Energy Gel while satisfying your craving for solid food. A blend of carbohydrates, electrolytes, and amino acids helps replace what you have lost during long duration runs so you can keep pushing your limits.

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Written by Kaleb

Originally from New England, Kaleb is a former collegiate soccer player who fell in love with everything running after becoming a Track and Field and Sports Performance Coach. Now, Kaleb enjoys splitting his time between the road and trails, while continuing to help youth athletes grow in the world of running.