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You won the battle over apathy. You have summoned the willpower to get to the gym and push your body to its limit. Do yourself a favor, and make certain your body is properly fueled with the energy you need to keep going. These healthy pre-workout snacks will help you maintain energy.
1. When to Eat?
Timing is everything. Eat too soon and you will not receive the nutritional benefits of your pre-workout snack. Worse, undigested food will make you sluggish and tired. Tufts University recommends eating 30 minutes to 4 hours before you exercise.
Calorie consumption is key though. You should stay between 50 and 100 calories if you are eating 30 minutes prior to a workout. When you have an hour before a workout, try to eat 100 to 200 calories. 2 hours or more prior to a workout, eat 200 to 300 calories.
2. Carbohydrates or Protein?
Carbohydrates are the fuel your muscles need to survive your workout. When you consume carbs, they are converted to glucose which is what your muscles need to keep you from feeling tired and weak. If you want to survive your exercise regimen, you are going to need to fuel up on carbohydrates.
The need for carbohydrates may increase pre-workout if you’ve avoided carbs early in the day or consume a low-carb diet.
If you think you can skimp on protein, you are wrong. Compared to consuming carbohydrates alone, the ISSN recommends combining carbohydrates with protein which has proven to increase endurance performance. Over the course of your workout, your bodies muscles begin to breakdown. Consuming protein not only slows the breakdown of muscles, it helps muscles recover and grow.
3. What about Fat?
Healthy fats are an important part of a balanced diet. They are excellent for controlling hunger because they digest slowly. During a workout, you need your fuel to burn energy quickly. This is why carbohydrates, which quickly convert to glucose, are the fuel of choice for a pre-workout snack. For the best results, and to avoid feeling bloated, minimize your fat consumption in pre-workout meals.
4. What to Eat?
Examples of carbohydrates:
- Small Fruit (banana, apple, berries, etc.)
- Oatmeal
- Granola
- Whole-wheat bread
- Rice cakes
Examples of proteins:
- Greek yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- Nuts/Seeds or Nut/Seed butter
- Eggs
- Sliced meat
- Protein powder
Have fun and be creative. When picking healthy snacks pre-workout, just remember to pick a carbohydrate and a protein. A quick and flavorful idea is an apple with almond butter. Or, need a quick snack to go? Try these almond butter protein bars. Greek yogurt is a star because it combines protein and carbs. Try adding a handful of granola and a touch of honey to Greek yogurt for a quick snack on the go. If you have access to a microwave, a hearty bowl of steel-cut oats with nuts and protein powder is a dynamite snack.
Not sure what to eat after your next workout? Try one of these easy and delicious post workout snacks that will aid your exercise recovery.
