The Best Foods to Eat Before a Workout
Blog Introduction: When it comes to working out, what you put into your body is just as important as the workout itself. Eating the right foods before a workout can give you the energy you need to power through and help you see results faster. Here are some of the best foods to eat before a workout.
Bananas
Bananas are a great source of carbohydrates and potassium, two nutrients that are essential for exercise. Carbohydrates are your body’s main source of energy, and potassium helps prevent cramping and supports healthy muscle function. Eat a banana about 30 minutes before your workout for sustained energy.
Oats
Oats are another great source of carbohydrates, and they also contain fiber. Fiber helps slow down the digestion of carbohydrates, which means that the energy from oats will be released more slowly and last longer than other types of carbohydrates. Oatmeal is a great option for breakfast before a morning workout.
Coffee
Coffee is a great way to get an extra boost of energy before a workout. Coffee contains caffeine, which is a natural stimulant that can help improve your performance. Just be sure to drink it black or with very little milk or sugar so you don’t offset the benefits with too many calories. Drink your coffee about 30 minutes before working out.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is packed with protein, which is essential for muscle growth and repair. It’s also a good source of carbohydrates for energy. Choose plain Greek yogurt so you don’t get any added sugars, and mix in some fruit or nuts for extra flavor and nutrients. Eat Greek yogurt about an hour before working out.
What you eat before a workout is just as important as the workout itself. Eating the right foods can give you the energy you need to power through and help you see results faster. Bananas, oats, coffee, and Greek yogurt are all great options for pre-workout meals. So next time you’re getting ready to hit the gym, be sure to fuel up with one of these energizing snacks first!
What is the best thing to eat before a workout?
These great ideas of the best pre-workout foods will give you plenty of energy for your training session:
- Fruit smoothies.
- Yogurt parfaits with granola and fruit.
- Bananas.
- Oats.
- Whole grain bread with a couple of slices of lean meat.
- Chicken with rice and vegetables.
- Apples with peanut butter and raisins.
- Greek yogurt.
Is it OK to workout on an empty stomach? Working out on an empty stomach won’t hurt you—and it may actually help, depending on your goal. But first, the downsides. Exercising before eating comes with the risk of “bonking”—the actual sports term for feeling lethargic or light-headed due to low blood sugar.
Is it OK to eat 30 minutes before a workout? Good hydration is also linked to enhanced performance. Pre-workout meals can be eaten three hours to 30 minutes before a workout. However, choose foods that are easy to digest, especially if your workout starts in one hour or less. This will help you avoid stomach discomfort.
What should you not eat before a workout?
Worst Things to Eat or Drink Before a Workout
- Granola or Protein Bars. 1/12. These might seem like a good idea before you hit the gym, but there’s no clear definition of what they really are.
- High-Fiber Vegetables. 2/12.
- High-Fat Food. 3/12.
- Yogurt. 4/12.
- Smoothies. 5/12.
- Flaxseed. 6/12.
- Fast Food. 7/12.
- Energy Drinks. 8/12.
What is the best thing to eat before a workout? – Additional Questions
How can I boost my energy before a workout?
Here we look at what to eat before a workout to help give you an energy boost.
- Water. Water is the most important yet overlooked nutrient for athletes.
- Banana.
- Orange.
- Watermelon.
- Fresh Fruit Juice.
- English Muffin.
- Yogurt.
- Applesauce.
What foods make muscles grow?
Muscle building foods for gaining lean muscle
- Eggs. Eggs contain high quality protein, healthy fats, and other important nutrients like B vitamins and choline ( 1 ).
- Salmon. Salmon is a great choice for muscle building and overall health.
- Chicken breast.
- Greek yogurt.
- Tuna.
- Lean beef.
- Shrimp.
- Soybeans.
What is best to eat before and after a workout?
Experts say the best way to go is a snack that’s a combination of carbs (to give you fuel) and protein (to get your body ready to build and repair muscles). Some ideas include a banana and some peanut butter with crackers, a handful of nuts and raisins, or a hardboiled egg.
Should I eat before or after a workout?
While the importance of eating before a workout may vary based on the situation, most scientists agree that it’s beneficial to eat after exercise. Research shows that some nutrients, particularly protein and carbs, can help your body recover and adapt after exercise.
Is it OK to eat a banana before working out?
The bottom line. Bananas are rich in nutrients like carbs and potassium, both of which are important for exercise performance and muscle growth. They’re also easy to digest and can slow the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream, making bananas a great snack option before your next workout.
What should I eat before a workout to build muscle?
Here are some suggestions for pre-workout fuel:
- A peanut butter and banana or PBJ sandwich.
- Greek yogurt with berries.
- Oatmeal with low-fat milk and fruit.
- Apple and peanut or almond butter.
- Handful of nuts and raisins (two parts raisins: one part nuts)
Should you eat before gym?
Eating before a workout
Ideally, try to eat a well-balanced meal three to four hours ahead of your workout. Your plate should feature carbohydrates and a moderate amount of lean protein. Limit fats and fiber, which digest more slowly and can upset your stomach while bouncing around during a workout.
Is coffee a good pre-workout?
Consuming coffee 30–60 minutes before your workout or sporting event can help delay fatigue and increase muscle strength and power. Keep in mind that the stimulating effects of caffeine from coffee can cause sleep problems if consumed too close to bedtime, as well as increase anxiety in some people.
How much should I eat before workout?
The general guideline is to eat a full meal three to four hours before exercising, a higher carbohydrate snack two hours before, and/or a smaller, easy-to-digest carbohydrate right up until you start.
What should not eat after workout?
1: “Avoid pure protein right after the workout, because your body will just use it as energy again,” says Collingwood. Also, steer clear of foods that are mostly sugar (cookies, candy and the like) or mostly fat like a handful of nuts (without yogurt or fruit to balance the fat) or fried foods.
What is the best timing for exercise?
“Exercising at 7 a.m. or between 1 and 4 p.m. helps your circadian clock to ‘fall back’ in time, making it easier to wake up earlier,” Heisz says. If you need to train your body to wake up later in the morning, try working out between 7 and 10 p.m. “The best time to exercise is when you can fit it in,” Arciero says.
Which food is best after workout?
Here are a few examples of quick and easy meals to eat after your workout:
- whole grain toast and almond butter.
- cereal with dairy or soy milk.
- Greek yogurt, berries and granola.
- protein shake and banana.
- quinoa bowl with sweet potatoes, berries, and pecans.
- whole grain crackers with string cheese and fruit.
What do bodybuilders eat before morning workout?
Before your morning workout, fuel your body with whole, minimally processed carbohydrate and protein foods such as:
- oatmeal.
- whole grain toast.
- fruit.
- beef jerky.
- eggs.
- milk.
What should I eat 30 minutes before my workout?
If you are eating 30-60 minutes before: It is recommended that you eat a high carbohydrate, moderate protein, and low fat snack before exercising. (See examples below.) If you are eating 2-3 hours before: It is recommended that you eat a high carbohydrate, high protein, low fat meal before exercising.
What should I eat before a workout to burn fat?
These are the top five foods to eat before working out, to help burn fat faster:
- Banana. Bananas are one of the best pre-workout foods ever.
- Oatmeal.
- Yogurt with fruits.
- Whole Grain crackers or toast.
- Nuts and Dried Fruits.
Are eggs OK to eat before a workout?
Whether you cook them scrambled or sunny side up, eggs provide an excellent source of healthy protein before your workout. Check out the benefits of eating this high-quality protein before your workouts: Eating eggs before exercising is ideal for building strength and repairing tiny tears in muscle fibers.
Do you burn more calories if you eat before or after a workout?
Does working out on an empty stomach burn more calories? No, the amount of calories burned during exercise doesn’t change based on whether you train on an empty stomach or not. However, more of the calories you burn will come from fat stores.