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When Kristy Baumann’s clients are looking for suggestions for a pre-run snack, the dietitian often has a somewhat surprising recommendation: Pop-Tarts.
Baumann, who specializes in working with distance runners, recently shared on her Instagram how, though Pop-Tarts are often demonized as “junk food,” they actually contain exactly what athletes need before a run: easily digestible, simple carbs that convert to quick energy and won’t cause GI issues.
It’s a recommendation that shocks runners and non-runners alike, she says, since there’s a misconception that exercise should be fueled by non-processed foods, or foods that we think of as “healthy.”
But in reality, says Baumann, simple carbs (including sugar!) are a runner’s best friend. So if you’re wondering what to eat before running 5K, 10K, or whatever your preferred distance is, reaching for a Pop-Tart could give your pre-run snack not only a nutritional upgrade, but a fun and convenient one.
What to look for in a pre-run snack
For Baumann, the first order of business is often convincing clients to eat something before a run. Not only can it improve your performance by providing additional energy, but it can actually be a key injury-prevention tool. If you run too long on an empty stomach, your body may begin breaking down protein for fuel, which means it’s depleting the amino acids in your muscles, leaving you at a higher risk of hurting yourself.
“There’s so much benefit to eating besides just feeling good on your run,” she says.
The best kind of pre-run snack gives you a quick source of energy without causing GI issues or sitting too heavy in your stomach. This means you want to look for foods that contain simple carbohydrates (which, unlike complex carbs, digest quickly for that immediate energy boost), and are low in fiber and fat, which are more difficult to digest and may bother your stomach.
The case for Pop-Tarts pre-workout
The Pop-Tart fits the bill in terms of its nutritional profile: It’s full of simple carbs, both in the breaded outer section and the filling inside, says Baumann, and it contains almost no fiber, minimizing the risk of a mid-run dash to the bathroom. Plus, each tart’s nearly 34 grams of carbs are densely-packed: Compare that to the classic pre-run snack of a banana—which on average has 28 carbs but is typically larger than a Pop-Tart—and you’ve got more bang for your proverbial buck and less food sitting in your stomach as your run.
The Pop-Tart is also highly convenient—Baumann says she literally eats one while walking out the door for her runs. And you can’t discount the joy of having a nostalgic childhood throwback. But the real proof is in the pudding (or should we say the frosting?): “I’ve had so many runners try it and say it helped them a lot,” Baumann says.
Pop-Tarts aren’t the only sweet treats that can fuel your run: Baumann says candy (think gummy worms and Swedish Fish rather than chocolate), dry sugary kids’ cereals (like Lucky Charms), Stroopwafels, graham crackers, and Eggo waffles all check the boxes of high in simple carbs and low in fiber.
Though these snacks might not be something we think of as part of a healthy diet, Baumann says it’s important not to think of foods as “good” or “bad”—all foods can serve a purpose in our lives, including before a run. “We have to look at the big scope of things,” she says. “There’s absolutely a time and a place for all foods to fit.”
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A new Mother stand in her daughters nursery as she takes a moment to enjoy Motherhood and soak it all in. She is dressed comfortably and holding her baby close to her chest as the two bond.
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As a two-mom household, some could say it’s a bit cliché that my wife and I opted for a gender-neutral nursery. Sure, we’re fierce advocates for society accepting and embracing all kinds of identities across the spectrum—gender identity included. But the reality is, we were excited for one of life’s greatest surprises: Not finding out the sex of our baby until birth.
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Truth be told, couples from all walks of life are embracing the gender-neutral baby movement. Beyond surprise gender reveals, gender-neutral baby names are on the rise—and have been trending upward since the 90s. In 2024, 17% of new babies were given gender-neutral names.
“Over the past year, we’ve seen search volume on Pinterest shift toward nursery designs that break away from traditional themes,” says Sydney Stanback, Global Trends and Insights Lead at Pinterest. “Searches for “unisex nursery” have grown 340%. This rise in gender-neutral and thoughtfully designed nurseries reflects how parents are using Pinterest to design spaces that feel unique, and aligned with their style.”
The Pinterest trends team also says that, in recent years, people have become more daring and expressive in their home design, and instead of designing nurseries with traditional colors or themes, parents can create spaces that can evolve with their kids while allowing for more creativity and self-expression. The 2025 Pinterest Predicts trend, Primary Play, is a great example of this.
“[With Primary Play] we're seeing people embrace a more maximalist aesthetic, incorporating murals, patterned furniture, and playful details to make their spaces feel more personal,” adds Stanback. And that trend includes nurseries too.
No matter if you’re keeping gender a mystery for the surprise or simply want to break the status quo of pink and blue decor, designing with gender-neutral nursery decor can be a whole lot of fun. Here are nine nursery items that defy “traditional” gender norms.
Color is often the first decision parents make when designing their child’s nursery. And if you’re eager to build out a nursery that goes beyond gender binaries, then the world is your oyster. In stereotypical gender-neutral nurseries, parents tend to opt for neutral colors, like off-whites, tans, and beige tones. But genderless nurseries don’t have to be boring, you know.
“Gender-neutral nurseries continue to trend, but that doesn’t mean everything has to be beige,” says Latifah Miles, Senior Commerce Editor at Babylist. “There are many different ways we see gender-neutral come to life, whether through a monochromatic neutral, a bold color expression, or a sweet theme, like woodland animals.” For our nursery, my wife and I chose bright pops of color, like burnt orange, earthy greens, or even muted shades of burgundy. And for our primary wall color, we went with Benjamin Moore’s 2025 Color of the Year: Cinnamon Slate. This heathered plum meets velvety brown and brings an instant sense of calm and serenity to any room—regardless of gender.
Of course, cribs know no gender. A sleeping baby is a sleeping baby (and we love that). Baby brand Nestig tops our list of some of the most beautifully designed and high-quality nursery furniture. Whether you’re building out a registry for twins or welcoming your second or third little one, you won’t regret investing in Nestig (trust us). The Willow Crib has a timeless design and grows with your kid, converting into a toddler-size bed over time. The neutral-toned Natural Wood frame—constructed from sustainably harvested, solid Brazilian pine—makes a great choice for gender-neutral nurseries.
Match your crib with Nestig’s Willow Dresser, which comes in the same color palette. Oversized drawers—that roll out butter-smooth—offer ample space for onesies and adorable outfits for kiddos of all genders. Its top is wide and deep enough to serve as a changing table (the Evolur Eva Changing Pad fits perfectly). We plan to use the top dresser drawer to house our diaper-changing gear and the bottom two for clothing.
Moms love muslin because it’s exceptionally soft, highly breathable, super absorbent, and gentle on the skin. Swaddles, blankets, and burp cloths are common to find in muslin fabric—as are crib sheets. This type of fabric also helps regulate body temperature thanks to its open-weave structure. Just make sure the muslin sheet you choose—like you’ll find with the Blissful Dairy brand—is well-fitted. Crib sheets that are too loose pose a potential safety concern. Blissful Dairy makes a variety of colors, but we chose retro yellow and beige to complement our non-gendered nursery’s earth tones.
While some parents may pick a rug that blends in with the nursery, a bold rug can also serve as a statement piece in the room. A vibrant, patterned rug can also do wonders for a baby’s visual and cognitive development. Ruggable recently teamed up with ceramic potter, designer, and author, Jonathan Adler, to create a bright, modern, and playful printed rug that works great in any room. I love this rug for its vibrant pattern and for the fact that you can wash it in your washing machine (great for those unexpected spit-ups and spills).
If you’re working with a smaller nursery like we are, you may need to get creative on storage. The three-tiered Ikea RÅSKOG Utility Cart is cute and functional, and comes in a mix of retro and neutral colors that will match any nursery. Since it’s on wheels, you can pack it full of toys, diaper-changing items, or other baby gear, and transport it around the house. Another hack for this cart is adding the bamboo NORRÅVA Lid to your purchase to turn the cart into a makeshift side table as needed.
No matter your baby’s gender, sleep is beyond important for their well-being. That’s why it’s important to consider all of the tips and tricks for getting your baby to fall and stay asleep. Happiest Baby brand’s SNOO, an innovative (and pretty magical) bassinet that mimics the motion and sounds of the womb to help your baby fall (and stay) asleep, has become a go-to for many parents.
While we didn’t splurge on the SNOO for our normal bassinet, we did snag a SNOObie. This all-in-one smart soother for babies doubles as a sound machine and night light. It plays four doctor-designed audio tracks, including SNOO’s beloved white noise and calming lullabies. You can also filter through a rainbow of colors and brightness levels to find the perfect fit for your little one’s nighttime routine.
Because our gender-neutral nursery has an earthy, natural vibe to it, we’ve looked out for products and accessories to complement the room’s aesthetic. The Jool Baby Nova Nature swing was a perfect fit for this reason. We love the natural beechwood toy bar and hanging mobile toys that match the gender-neutral tones of our nursery.
For quiet nights in the nursery listening to soft music and a daytime hang-out spot for family time in the living room, there are many things to love about this sleek and soothing swing. It features five levels of side-to-side swaying motions to help calm your baby. It also only weighs 7.25 pounds, making it easy to move around the house. You can stream music through the built-in speaker via Bluetooth or select 10 pre-set melodies built into the Baby Nova. It’s important to note: If baby does fall asleep in the Baby Nova, transfer them to a firm surface for sleeping.
Even though it’s not a core nursery item, we had to invest in the Stokke Tripp Trapp 2. This simple, burly, and sleek high chair was recommended to us by many parents in our network. It comes in a mix of colors but we went with the natural wood to match the rest of our nursery items.
Its lightweight design makes it easy to pick up and move into rooms adjacent to our nursery, like our kitchen and dining room. We love that this high chair’s seat and foot plates adjust to fit kids as they grow. The seat insert can also be removed, transforming the chair into a seat for toddlers, teens, and adults up to 242.5 pounds.
