Pre workout nutrition is one of the most important challenges every athlete faces. Not eating enough calories before working out can leave you tired, light headed, and overall exhausted. Eating too many calories prior hinders weight loss and can make you sluggish. Running on a full stomach is no one’s idea of fun! The outcome of your workout is decided in the hours leading up to your sweat session, so make the right decisions regarding your pre workout meals.
Whole Wheat Toast, Banana, Peanut Butter, and Cinnamon
Carbs are crucial for your workouts. As you may already know, carbohydrates give us the energy to workout. Unfortunately, carbs don’t keep you full. That’s where the peanut butter comes in! Add a banana to regulate potassium (a lot of potassium is lost when sweating) and a dash of cinnamon to regulate bloodsugars.
Greek Yogurt and Trail Mix
Sugars from dried fruits found in trail mix are a great pick me up. The sugars will keep blood sugar from crashing mid-workout. However, we must warn you not to over do it. The fat content found in nuts make them harder to digest. If you go overboard, you could begin to feel sluggish!
Smoothies
Great for before workouts and after, smoothies have a slew of benefits. Customize your smoothie blend based on your workout needs. Be sure to use fresh fruit, and greek yogurt, which has the perfect amount of protein. Remember, only 10-20 grams of protein are needed before a workout.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal should be considered a powerhouse in regards to food. Oatmeal is low glycemic, slowly releasing it’s sugars over a long period of time. Adding fresh fruit will keep you hydrated.
Apples and Almond Butter
Full of necessary vitamins and minerals, combining apples and almond butter will keep you energized throughout the duration of your workout. Add some granola if carbohydrates are needed!
Espresso
If you are feeling sluggish, or just looking to maximize your workout, espresso could be perfect. Add a couple shots to your pre workout smoothie. Studies show that the steady stream of caffeine helps users to workout longer, and it helps to burn fat!
ChickPeas
No prep is required for this tasty treat! Eat about 1/4 a cup of chickpeas. This alone gives you 10 grams of protein, 30 grams of carbohydrates, and 9 grams of fiber.
Egg Whites
Delicious and nutritious. One egg white provides a whopping 4 grams of protein and no fat.
Leave a Reply