“What’s going to be left for them to advertise? No Coca-Cola. It’s going to be like string cheese,” Ratliff said.

She fuels herself through marathon days with apples, string cheese, protein-packed energy bars and Greek yogurt, which an aide keeps handy in an insulated bag.

She recommends they eat easily digestible snacks with a balance of carbohydrates and protein, such as granola, string cheese and smoothies.