There's a reason some athletes feast on spaghetti before running marathons. A workout does your body little good if you don't give it the food it needs. Some foods energize your body for exercise, while others--such as high-protein foods--help your muscles rebuild after strength training. Even people trying to lose weight need to carefully select foods that will prepare their bodies for exercise and help them recover afterward.
Bananas
Grabbing a banana before a workout is a smart way to energize your body. Not only is it compact enough to fit into your bag for a pre-exercise snack, it's also not as burdensome on your stomach as a full meal. Most importantly, bananas are rich with potassium. In an AskMen.com article on workout snacks, nutrition correspondent Sabrina Rogers states that potassium keeps your nerves and muscles functioning as they should. During a hard workout, your body is apt to lose potassium due to its short storage life--which is why it's smart to give your body extra before exercising.
Yogurt
If you want an energy boost before a workout, Rogers recommends yogurt. It initiates enzyme activity that aids metabolism and gives you the fortitude for cardio exercise or weight lifting. If you're on a diet, try low-fat yogurt, which is as little as 130 calories per 8 oz. bottle, with 15 grams of energizing carbs and 11 grams of protein.
Nuts
Nuts have omega-3 and omega-6 that invigorate your body before a workout, while their high protein content helps muscles recover afterwards. In her Forbes article "Top Workout-Fueling Foods," health writer Allison Van Dusen states that a small portion of about two tablespoons is best to keep your total fat intake low.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal has the special ability of regulating your energy levels due to its fiber content, which gradually releases carbs into your system. This means that eating oatmeal before a workout helps to ensure you have a constant stream of energy and won't suddenly lose steam. According to Rogers, oatmeal also has B vitamins that give you an energy boost.
Spaghetti
Spaghetti's high carbohydrate content may give it a bad reputation among people trying to lose weight, but spaghetti is excellent at fueling your body for a tough workout, such as a long run or weight lifting. This is because it contains complex carbohydrates, according to Rogers. When your body starts running out of glycogen, or stored energy, workouts become increasingly difficult. Complex carbs prevent this fatigue by giving your muscles more glycogen. Rogers recommends having half a cup of whole wheat pasta; give yourself time to digest for a couple of hours if you have more. Have a big bowl the night before a marathon.
Lean Meat
Lean meat is a healthy option to refresh your body after exercise. According to Van Dusen, your body craves protein and carbohydrates after a workout, which lean meat provides. She lists lean chicken, lean roast beef, turkey and grilled fish as some of the most wholesome sources. They help your body recover from intense exercise and energize you for the rest of the day--or even for your next workout.
Member Comments