No matter what time of the day you are exercising, properly fuelling your body is crucial in maximizing your workouts! When you’re on the go (or waking up in the wee hours of the morning) having a quick and portable pre-workout snack can help give you energy, curb hunger and fuel your muscles.
It is recommended to eat a well balanced meal 2-3 hours before a workout as well as maintaining proper hydration throughout the day and avoiding irritating or ‘heavy’ foods that can leave you feeling bloated and uncomfortable.
However, 20-30 minutes before exercise it is important to be eating foods that are easily digestible, naturally stimulating and contain fast-acting carbohydrates.
Here are some excellent choices for a pre-workout snack:
A piece of fruit or natural fruit and vegetable juice
Dried Fruit and Nuts (preferably soaked)
Coconut Oil
Raw dark chocolate
Protein Shake (with water)
Chia Pudding with berries
Lyza’s Power Balls (see your eating plan for recipe!)
Tip: If you can’t tolerate having solid foods in your stomach before your workout, opting for liquid fuel can be a better option than not eating anything at all. Try mixing (in blender or food processor) 1 medjool date (soaked and pit removed) with 1 tablespoon of a good quality coconut oil and consuming mixture 20-30 minutes before working out (or during if you’re working out for longer than 90 minutes). Coconut oil is a medium chain triglyceride that is converted by the liver into an energy source for the body. Medjool dates are not only deliciously sweet, but are packed with nutrients and are a source of easily digestible carbohydrate and fibre.
