We all know that exercise should be paired with a healthy diet. We stay away from junk food, go easy on the alcohol, and try to get our 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Fitness is not a fad, it’s a lifestyle. But there’s one thing most people don’t pay much attention to–what you eat just before a workout.
I had a personal trainer who refused to start a session if I hadn’t eaten for more than one hour before our workout. He emphasised the need for my body to have fuel when I exercised. But not all foods are made equal. I couldn’t gorge on two packets of chips before my workout without my trainer being extremely disappointed in me.
What are the foods you should be eating before you put your body through an exercise session? Here’s what my trainer suggested to me and they worked like a charm.
1. Black coffee
Caffeine, as we know, is a stimulant and gets your body pumping with adrenaline. I personally don’t like coffee, especially when it’s black, so I’ve settled on drinking a lightly brewed cup of black coffee. Nothing too strong.
The results are amazing. You are alert and raring to go. Drinking a cup of black coffee also gets you to work out harder and for longer. Unless you suffer with anxiety, the caffeine rush is usually expended during the workout so that when you’re done, you won’t be feeling the angstyness that comes from imbibing too much caffeine.
2. Bananas
Bananas are nature’s energy bars. They taste good and you can eat them on-the-go. I usually eat a banana 15-20 mins before a workout. If you want the full power dose of energy, smear some peanut butter on your banana.
Moderate amounts of peanut butter is good for you because it contains healthy fat in the form of oleic acid, which is also found in olive oil. Bananas are also high on carbs and potassium, which helps in nerve and muscle function.
3. Dry fruits
What you want is a burst of energy so that you can power through your workout. Dry fruits are perfect for that as they are an easy source of easily digestible simple sugars.
So grab a handful of dried berries, apricots, figs, dates, raisins, and pineapple and you’ll be good to go.
So, the next time you are meal prepping, don’t forget to factor in the foods you should eat before a workout. Combined with exercise and an overall healthy diet, you will be on your way to being fit and fine in no time.
