If you’ve been sweating it out in the gym for months but still can’t see the desired results, poor eating habits could be the culprit. Good nutrition is necessary to give your body the required fuel it needs to last through a rigorous exercise session.
So, what exactly should you be eating before a workout? Why exactly is it important to eat right before a workout? I get a lot of questions about this topic, and in this blog post, I am going to answer all of them so that you can make a whole pre-workout nutrition plan for yourself. Eating right is as important as exercising if you want to achieve your desired fitness goals.
Why is it important to eat before a workout?
When you’re working out, you are digging in to your body’s energy reserve and draining it all at once. Squatting, dancing, weight lifting, or cardio exercises — whatever it is that you’re doing, all of them require energy.
If you want a good workout session, you need to provide your body with the necessary fuel it needs. Eating the right foods can give you enough power to survive through a workout. However, a lot of people believe otherwise. It’s a myth that you shouldn’t eat anything before a workout. It could actually be detrimental for you.
When you’re exercising, your body requires a certain level of sugar which acts as a fuel for it. If it doesn’t get enough of this fuel, the body starts converting your own muscle tissue into energy. You want to focus on building muscle through workouts,right?So, it’s actually counterproductive to miss out on nutritious meals before a workout.
You could also end up feeling slightly dizzy or weak if your body isn’t getting enough fuel for a workout.
When Should You Eat Before A Workout?
When you eat your meals is as important as what you eat. If you want to get the best results out of your training sessions, you need to eat complex carbohydrates at least 45 minutes before you head for a workout.
You should avoid eating right before a workout. During a workout, you are putting strain on your muscles. At the same time, if your stomach is also trying to digest food, you will not be able to workout optimally. If you are doing abdominal exercises, then you might even end up vomiting.
What Should You Eat Before A Workout?
Everyone is always talking about proteins when it comes to a pre-workout meal. But the truth is, you also need carbs and fats. Surprised? Each of them has an important function to play during your workout.
Proteins, made up of amino acids, allows your muscles to rebuild as well as repair. On the other hand, carbohydrates directly affect your blood sugar levels. If you get the right amount of carbohydrates, you can get enough energy to go through a workout.
Fats are important because they help to maintain optimal hormone levels. They also provide slow-burning fuel which can assist in getting enough energy for long workout sessions. So, the bottomline is clear — you need balanced meals before a workout. Here are some suggestions for balanced pre-workout meals:
- Quinoa
- Oatmeal with banana and almonds
- Couscous
- Sweet Potato
- Eggs and toast
- Yogurt with almonds and nuts
- Granola Bar or Bliss Bombs
- Whey Protein Shake
- Fruit Smoothies
- Muesli
- Green Apple
Which Foods Should You Avoid Before A Workout?
When you’re exercising, a large amount of blood is pumped to all the muscles in your body that are working. During this time, your stomach receives less blood flow. So, you do not want you stomach to work hard to digest food when you are exercising.
These are some foods that you should absolutely avoid eating before a workout, mainly because they are harder to digest:
- Beans
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Fried Food
- Carbonated Drinks
- Desserts
- Spicy Food
Are you eating right before your workout? If you have any questions about pre-workout meals, please mention them in the comments section.