[1]
My workouts generally happen first thing in the morning. If it doesn’t happen then it generally doesn’t happen at all.
For many years I never ate anything before a workout. I would exercise hard and then need to eat large quantities of food. I was starving! Within the past year I started to experiment with eating small amounts an hour or so before and I’m finding that I’m not as famished.
The ideal pre-exercise meal should include foods that are high in carbohydrates and protein and low in fat and fiber. It’s also important to drink water a few hours before exercising and throughout your workout. I still need to work on this.
Here are a few of my favorite foods to eat before my run or visit to the gym [2].
Oatmeal
[3]
Oatmeal is a great option before a workout. Your body can generally tolerate it well and it provides a boost of energy. Add fruit and nuts to make it the perfect pre-exercise food.
Banana
[4]
Grab a banana before you head to they gym. They’re filled with natural sugar and are considered a carb. Your body relies on carbohydrates for energy and fuel.
Power Smoothie with Chia Seeds
[5]
Chia seeds are all the rage [6] and they’re a perfect pre-workout addition to your smoothie [7]. I like to blend frozen organic strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and apple juice with a teaspoon of chia seeds and a handful of frozen spinach. They’re great for pre-workout snack since they are easily digested.
Orange
[8]
Eat an orange before you exercise. Oranges are a quick energy source and they’ll help keep you hydrated.
Slice of Whole Grain Bread Before a Workout
[9]
Cut yourself a slice of whole grain bread for some good carbohydrates before your workout. Top it with some peanut butter or another nut butter to add protein. Make sure you eat well before you exercise.
What do you eat before your workout?
photo credit: Edson Hong via photopin [10] cc [11] , emmadiscovery [12] via photopin [10], Muhammad Ali Mir [13] via photopin [10]cc [11] , MadalenaPestana [14] via photopin [10]cc [11], madlyinlovewithlife via photopin [10]cc [11]