The Best Foods to Eat Before a 5 am Workout
Blog Introduction: For many of us, working out first thing in the morning is the only way to fit exercise into our busy schedules. But in order to make the most of our early-morning workouts, it’s important to fuel our bodies with the right nutrients. Eating a healthy breakfast before hitting the gym can give us the energy we need to power through our workout and start the day on a positive note.
So, what should we eat before a 5 am workout? Here are a few quick and healthy breakfast options that will give you the energy you need to tackle your workout head-on.
1. A Banana and Peanut Butter Toast
This classic breakfast combination is not only delicious, but it’s also packed with nutrients that will give you sustained energy throughout your workout. The banana provides carbohydrates for quick energy, while the protein in the peanut butter will help keep you feeling full and focused.
2. Overnight oats
Oats are a great source of complex carbohydrates, which provide sustained energy throughout your workout. Throw in some protein-rich toppings like nuts or Greek yogurt, and you’ve got a balanced breakfast that will give you all the energy you need to power through your morning workout.
3. A Protein Shake
If you’re short on time, a protein shake is a quick and easy option that will give you all the nutrients you need to power through your workout. Just be sure to choose a shake that’s low in sugar and high in protein. Adding a handful of spinach or kale is a great way to sneak in some extra greens, too!
Working out first thing in the morning can be tough, but it’s worth it when we see results. In order to make sure we’re getting the most out of our early-morning workouts, it’s important to fuel our bodies with healthy breakfast options that will give us lasting energy throughout our workout. So next time you’re wondering what to eat before your 5 am workout, reach for one of these quick and nutritious options. Your body—and your workout—will thank you for it!
What should I eat before my 5 am 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.
Is 5pm a good time to workout? Body temperature peaks at around 5pm (research suggests the best time to exercise is when body temperature is at its highest). Lung function tends to be higher in the afternoon than the morning, which translates into better endurance.
How do I prepare for a 5am workout?
12 Tips to Make Waking Up for Early Morning Workouts Easier
- Wake up with intention.
- Keep your alarm at a distance.
- Make your bed.
- Lay out your clothes the night before.
- Plan every minute of your morning.
- Make it a group effort.
- Find a workout that makes you actually want to wake up early.
What should we eat before evening workout?
7 best pre-workout foods
- Oatmeal.
- Brown rice with chicken.
- Protein shakes.
- Bananas.
- Peanut butter sandwich/Bagel with honey.
- Energy/Granola bars.
- Yoghurt Curds or dahi contain calcium and proteins and a bit of natural sugar present in small quantities.
What should I eat before my 5 am workout? – Additional Questions
What foods give you energy to workout?
Good snack options include:
- An energy bar.
- A banana, an apple or other fresh fruit.
- Yogurt.
- A fruit smoothie.
- A whole-grain bagel or crackers.
- A low-fat granola bar.
- A peanut butter sandwich.
- Sports drink or diluted juice.
How should I eat if I workout at night?
5 Sleep-Friendly Foods to Eat After a Late-Night Workout
- Yogurt. Most dairy-based foods are a good source of tryptophan, an amino acid that your body uses to produce serotonin and melatonin, which both help induce sleepiness.
- Almonds.
- Quinoa.
- Turkey.
- Oatmeal.
Should I eat before evening workout?
Eating Before Long-Duration Exercise May Improve Performance
Consuming slower-digesting carbs or eating several hours before exercise may benefit long-duration performance. For endurance athletes, other research has shown benefits of eating a high-carb meal three to four hours before exercise ( 21 ).
Is it better to eat before or after an evening workout?
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that you need to eat before you work out because your body cannot run, lift weights, swim or jump without energy. Exercising after eating is linked to better workout performance than exercising on an empty stomach.
What should I eat after evening workout?
Sample post-workout meals and snacks
- grilled chicken with roasted vegetables and rice.
- egg omelet with avocado spread on whole grain toast.
- salmon with sweet potato.
- tuna salad sandwich on whole grain bread.
- tuna and crackers.
- oatmeal, whey protein, banana and almonds.
- cottage cheese and fruits.
- pita and hummus.
What should I eat before an evening workout to lose weight?
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.
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.
How early should I eat before a 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.
Does eating before exercise burn more calories?
Research shows a pre-workout snack tops off your body’s store of ready-to-burn energy, which allows you to exercise with more intensity for a longer time. While it might seem counterintuitive to eat to lose weight, in this case, the proper nutrition allows you to burn more calories.
What is a good snack before a workout?
Apples, bananas and oranges are a cinch to grab on the go or to toss in your gym bag. Plus, they’re packed with easy-to-digest, energizing carbohydrates (roughly 15 to 20 grams of carbs apiece). As important as pre-exercise fuel is, don’t forget to replenish afterward.
How can I boost up my metabolism?
Here are 9 easy ways to increase your metabolism.
- Eat plenty of protein at every meal. Eating food can temporarily increase your metabolism for a few hours.
- Drink more water.
- Do a high intensity workout.
- Lift heavy things.
- Stand up more.
- Drink green tea or oolong tea.
- Eat spicy foods.
- Get a good night’s sleep.
How do you lose belly fat?
Trimming the fat
- Eat a healthy diet. Focus on plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and choose lean sources of protein and low-fat dairy products.
- Replace sugary beverages.
- Keep portion sizes in check.
- Include physical activity in your daily routine.
Where do you lose fat first?
Generally weight loss is most noticeable early on in areas where there is little fat, such as the clavicles. Women tend to lose weight all over, and experience fat loss first in their belly, breasts, and arms. Generally the last area they lose weight is from their lower body (hips and thighs).
What burns belly fat the fastest?
High-intensity interval training (HIIT): It is probably one of the fastest and most efficient ways to lose stomach fat and reduce the overall body fat percentage. HIIT is a high-intensity short period of exercise that usually doesn’t exceed 30 minutes, with short breaks of recovery periods of 30-60 seconds.
What are the 5 foods that burn belly fat?
7 Foods that Burn Belly Fat
- Beans. “Becoming a bean lover can help you lose weight and whittle your middle,” registered dietitian Cynthia Sass told Today.
- Swap your beef for salmon.
- Yogurt.
- Red bell peppers.
- Broccoli.
- Edamame.
- Diluted vinegar.
What foods help slim your waist?
Fill your slim waist diet with foods such as:
- Fruits: berries, apples, bananas, oranges, pears.
- Vegetables: leafy greens, sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrots.
- Whole grains: whole-wheat bread, quinoa, oats, brown rice.
- Lean protein: poultry, fish, lean red meat, legumes.
- Low-fat dairy: low-fat or nonfat milk or yogurt.
What should I eat to slim my waist?
Eating a healthy, varied diet that is high in fruits and vegetables — including soluble fiber, vitamin D, and probiotics — is the best plan for losing weight from your waistline. Avoiding refined carbohydrates, sugar, and processed foods whenever possible will help you cut calories and get rid of fat more quickly.