“What should I eat before I work out?” Have you ever asked yourself this question? What does it matter what I eat before a workout anyways???
Well, for starters, if you don’t choose the right foods to eat before your workouts, then it might be difficult for you to keep up with all of those other people at the gym.
Secondly, if you make sure that your body has the proper nutrients and energy (through food) before any type of strenuous activity like exercising or playing sports, then your performance will significantly improve.
And thirdly, not only will you perform better during exercise sessions, but your body is going to feel so much better throughout the rest of the day too! You have more energy and focus — you feel fantastic!
Also, remember one thing along with proper eating, it is also important to have adequate gym clothing so that you can perform your best. For example, get elbow sleeves for lifting to avoid elbow pain or injury.
Ok, so now let’s learn about the ten best foods to eat before a workout so that you can start eating healthy today.
1. Bananas
They have been shown to help maintain blood sugar levels which means that your energy will not crash during a workout. This fruit also has a lot of other nutrients too, such as potassium which is good for muscular growth and strength.
Finally, bananas have been known to help people feel fuller for longer, which can prevent you from overeating as the day goes on.
2. Peanut Butter
The protein in peanut butter helps prevent muscle fatigue, so you can perform better throughout your entire workout routine.
Also, peanut butter has healthy fats, vitamin E, and fiber. It is a well-rounded food to eat before any type of exercise session.
3. Oatmeal
Oatmeal provides long-lasting energy because it is made from complex carbohydrates instead of simple sugars, which are usually found in most breakfast cereals.
Complex carbohydrates are broken down slowly, so you don’t get that spike in your blood sugar levels. Because of this, the energy from oatmeal lasts for a more extended period.
4. Eggs
The protein in eggs helps to repair muscle damage after a workout, which means that you will recover faster and be able to come back stronger! Furthermore, eggs are high up on the list of foods that are high in cholesterol which is good for your heart.
Eggs have been shown to improve brain function too — so that is a major plus if you are going to be exercising your brain with math or reading comprehension exercises.
5. Almond Butter
It’s made from almonds which are packed with great nutrients like magnesium, Vitamin E, manganese, riboflavin, etc.
These nutrients help out with things like cardiovascular health and energy production. Also, almond butter has less saturated fat than peanut butter, so it’s also better for your heart too!
6. Quinoa
This is one of the best sources of plant-based proteins around. Plus, it’s also high in magnesium which helps with recovery and muscle function.
If you haven’t tried quinoa before, then now is the perfect time to get used to this amazing grain!
7. Greek Yogurt
High up on the list of foods that are high in calcium, this is one food that you do not want to go without after your workout!
The calcium will help with bone health, while the protein will help with your muscles.
8. Avocado
This fruit is full of healthy fats, which is super important for optimal performance during exercise sessions because it provides long-lasting energy so you can power through all of those reps!
9. Dark Chocolate
As long as it’s eaten in moderation, dark chocolate can be a great source of nutrients like fiber, iron, magnesium, etc.
And although they might also contain some calories, the nutrients that dark chocolate contains will give you long-lasting energy and improve your mood as well!
10. Tomatoes
This fruit provides all of those antioxidants we need, which help with muscle recovery as well as cardiovascular health. They also taste delicious as a salad or on top of a sandwich!
So, whether you’re looking for a quick snack to eat before your workout or you want to plan out an entire pre-workout meal, these are all great options to choose from! Be sure to experiment with different foods and see what works best for you — everyone is different, after all. And if you’re ever in doubt about what to eat before working out, always consult a nutritionist or your doctor!
