What should you eat before your work-out?
Exercise requires the right kind of fuel. If you eat the wrong foods, not enough food, or too soon or not soon enough before your work-out you will impact the effectiveness of the work-out. The timing of when you eat and what you eat is important. How can you exercise if you do not have the energy to carry you through your entire work-out?
Start with what to eat. Choose foods that are low-fat but have a high carbohydrate content. A banana is a great choice; small, quick, and easy. You could also eat a whole-wheat English muffin or bagel with a tablespoon of peanut butter spread on it. Try topping it with a couple of apple slices. Yogurt is a popular choice, requiring limited preparation time. Oatmeal is another good option.
How long before your workout is the prime time to eat? This can be individualized. One time frame will not work for everyone. Some people’s bodies will digest food faster than others. You don’t want to have the food sitting in your stomach during your work-out. That can be painful and hindering. You will need to experiment to find out what works for you. I would recommend allowing at least an hour. You may also try drinking water after eating to facilitate faster digestion.
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The bottom line is your body needs fuel to be at its best. Without the proper fuel you could just be wasting your time. You won’t be able to run as far, swim as many laps, ride as many miles on your bike, or lift heavy weights. Fatigue from lack of fuel will weaken your body and make you sluggish. It may seem counterproductive to those of you trying to lose weight to eat before a work-out. But eating the right nutrient dense foods will make your work-outs more effective and help with weight loss.
