Most of us don’t really think much about a pre-workout snack. When it comes to working out, eating before the actual workout keeps your blood sugar ready to get to work. That means a generous amount of energy for muscle building and strength. However, the best foods to eat before exercising heavily depend on your personal goals and the type of work out you prefer. Of Course, what you eat after is equally essential in building stability and developing bigger and stronger muscles. Here are a few top picks for what you can eat before working out.
Scrambled eggs, veggies, and avocado
If you don’t have time to prepare anything delicious, eggs can provide you with the right amount of protein needed for you to work out. You can boil for a few minutes and consume the yolk to get all the eight essential amino acids that help boost recovery and muscle building. Veggies are great nutrient-rich powerhouses that can give you a healthy dose of energy no matter what you pick. Avocado is packed with healthy fats to add to your energy production.
Banana, whole grain bread, and almond butter
Every athlete knows the value of taking bananas. The fruit is rich in natural sugars, carbs, and potassium, which is essential in preventing muscle cramps. Bread provides you with enough carbohydrates to be used in the workout, while almond butter is packed in healthy fats.
Blueberries, oatmeal, and protein powder
If you are going to work out after one or two hours, you may want to consider eating oatmeal as the carbs in oats are broken down slowly. This means that energy release is slower than usual, and you can stay up to 2 hours without having to eat to restore energy for a workout. Blueberries, cherries, and raspberries contain antioxidants—powerful substances for cell damage prevention. You can never go wrong with protein powder, especially when you have no additional proteins.
Steamed vegetables, rice, and chicken thighs
If you prefer taking balanced meals or your workout schedule kicks in after a meal, consider taking some classic proteins with complex carbs and lots of vegetables. Your body needs the fiber in vegetables as they help with digestion. As for the chicken, just eat your favorite part. You can also opt for beef with great natural fats that prevents you from getting hungry during workouts.
Protein smoothie
Smoothies are full of energy-giving nutrients. So whether you choose to go for milk mixed with bananas and berries or avocado mixed with greens and peanut butter, the choice is yours. If you have time, make and take a bottle or two with you and take sips whenever you can. Smoothies have fast-digesting carbs, and healthy proteins and fats help boost energy production.
Go for what works for you
If you are not a smoothie person, let it go. Look for what works for you or keeps your energy up during and after a workout. Remember, the whole idea is to keep your energy levels high. Pay attention to timing. If your workout lasts 30 minutes, your portion may not be the same as a person working out for two hours. Play around with time and find out what time works best for eating and working out.