EPISODE #148: Eat, Run, Thrive: Professor Gardner Shares the Truth About Fueling with Science

In this episode of RUNWITHALLI LIVE, I’m joined by Professor Christopher Gardner, PhD — a world-renowned nutrition scientist, Rehnborg Farquhar Professor of Medicine at Stanford, and Director of the Stanford Nutrition Studies Research Group.For over 30 years, Professor Gardner has led groundbreaking human nutrition studies exploring the real-world impact of diets like Mediterranean, Ketogenic, Vegan, Low-Fat, and Low-Carb on heart health, glucose levels, inflammation, and overall well-being. He’s also a former chair of the American Heart Association’s Nutrition Committee and recently served on the 2025 U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.Our conversation dives into everything from: What to eat (and avoid) to feel and perform your bestWhy nutrition is key to long-term endurance performanceThe role of the gut microbiome and personalized nutritionHow to make healthy food taste unapologetically deliciousAnd why "stealth nutrition" might be the next big thingFun fact: I took Professor Gardner’s 8-week Stanford nutrition science course, which completely changed how I view performance fueling. It inspired me to deepen my own nutrition education so I can better support runners like YOU.Whether you’re a marathoner, weekend warrior, or just looking to fuel your best life, this episode will leave you informed and inspired.Hit play, and let’s dive into the science (and joy!) of food for performance with Professor Gardner.Connect with Professor Gardner:Nutrition Group WebsiteOnline Nutrition CourseInstagramTwitter/xLinkedInVisit Apple Podcasts to support the show, and click the "+Follow" button! Your support helps me better understand your preferences and find the time and resources necessary to ensure every new episode is fantastic while making it live!Thank you for listening! Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREE Support the showThe RUNWITHALLI LIVE Podcast is hosted by Alli Felsenthal, founder of RunWithAlli Coaching and virtual run coach to runners around the world. Each episode brings expert guests, honest conversations, and practical tools to help you train smarter, race better, and love the process. Whether you’re chasing your first finish line or a new PR, you’re in the right place.ENJOYED THIS EPISODE? Your support helps this podcast reach more runners who need it. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It’s the #1 way to help the show grow: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/runwithalli-live/id1510066149Share this episode with a runner who needs to hear itSubscribe so you never miss an episodeWORK WITH RUNWITHALLI 1:1 Run Coaching. Personalized plans from the mile to the marathon → runafastermarathon.comFollow on Instagram → @runwithalliJoin the newsletter for weekly training tips, athlete wins, running science, and more → http://runafastermarathon.com/newsletterFree community with free weekly resources → Discord