Why Top Runners Are Swapping Energy Bars for Pumpkin Pie Filling—You Won't Believe the Results!

It’s the middle of the night, and John LePino can't sleep. Despite having run over 100 miles in the last week, he feels restless. Hungry, instead of reaching for a cookie or a bowl of cereal like most would, he opens a can of pumpkin pie mix and digs in. In a bold move that might sound bizarre to many, he downs the entire 30-ounce can—an impressive 200 grams of carbs and 800 calories—spooning it straight from the container before drifting off into a satisfied slumber.

For LePino, a former collegiate runner at Wake Forest University and current coach, this midnight snack isn't just a quirky choice; it's a strategic one. Pumpkin pie filling is essentially a mix of pumpkin and sugar, making it a carbohydrate-rich food that helps fuel his intense training schedule. As Amanda Wagner, a registered dietitian nutritionist, recently noted in Runner’s World, "Carbohydrates really are the most important macro for a runner to take in. If they don’t, they risk injury, metabolic dysfunction, poor hormone health, and poor performance." This is particularly critical for athletes logging high mileage or preparing for marathons, where meeting caloric demands is essential for recovery and performance.

“It was truly a battle of how many carbs can I get in a 24-hour period,” LePino shared during a recent catch-up call. He learned early on that sufficient carb intake is crucial, especially after a workout. His frugal college runner perspective led him to choose pumpkin pie filling for its affordability and calorie density—each can costs around $4.00 and can be found in any grocery store. Just a tip for those interested: make sure to select pumpkin pie mix, which includes added sugars, rather than the plain pumpkin puree.

“Obviously pumpkin pie mix sounds really silly,” he remarked. “But really, I think what the average person can take from this is that carbohydrate intake is important.” Given the demands of high-mileage training, mixing in unconventional snacks can be a way to meet those needs, even if they seem unusual.

Tasting the Pumpkin Pie Filling

Intrigued by LePino's unorthodox snack choice, I decided to give it a try myself. As someone who enjoys budget-friendly running snacks like Rice Krispies Treats and fruit gummies, I was eager to see how it measured up. Purchasing a few cans of Libby’s Easy Pumpkin Pie Mix—a popular brand—I prepared for my culinary experiment late one evening.

The first spoonful was surprisingly delightful, reminiscent of the classic Thanksgiving dessert. The creamy consistency meant I didn't have to chew much, making it easy to consume. However, as I continued, an odd aftertaste emerged, leading to a stomach that quickly began to protest. How did John manage to eat an entire can? I opted to slow down, nursing my way through half a can, approximately 100 grams of carbs, before calling it quits.

The next day, I tried again, this time pacing myself and enjoying it more at the office despite a few raised eyebrows from coworkers. While I appreciated the convenience and the carbohydrate boost, I found it hard to recommend consuming a full can like LePino does. Each runner's needs vary considerably; John’s intense training regimen, averaging 15 miles a day, calls for higher carb intake than I require with my currently lower mileage.

“I don’t think your average person necessarily needs to do that,” LePino agreed, suggesting other carb-dense favorites from his college days, such as mango nectar and mango sorbet, that sound far more appealing. While my experiment with pumpkin pie filling was a fun diversion, it’s clear there are alternatives that might be more palatable and still meet carb-loading needs.

Ultimately, while pumpkin pie filling could serve as a quick source of energy, particularly useful during prerace carb loading, opting for conventional food options like actual pumpkin pie might be more enjoyable. After all, there’s a reason those classic carbs—like pasta and bagels—remain staples for runners: they are generally more pleasant to eat while still providing the necessary fuel for training and recovery.