5 foods you should eat to power your work out

5 Foods to eat before working out

Part of getting the most out of a work out at the gym is knowing what to eat before you hit the gym, and to a lesser extent when you should eat it. The “when” is a little more about preference in my experience. Clients with a faster metabolism or low blood sugar generally need to eat closer to their work outs where as folks with high blood sugar or a slower metabolism don’t always prefer eating too close to their work out. Trust your instincts on the timing and listen to your body. It will take some experimentation but eventually you’ll find your optimum window.

Now let’s talk about What to eat before you train. Here are 5 foods I’ve found to help myself and my clients optimize our work outs together.

1. WHOLE GRAINS
This is an old stand by. Whole Grains such as oatmeal provide complex carbs that our body can break down into sugars for long lasting energy.

2. PROTEIN
Whether its a shake or a chicken breast it’s always a good idea to front load your protein. it can give you a leg up on your muscle recovery needed after you break your body down through strenuous exercise.

3. FRUIT
Fruit before training is a fantastic way to spike your blood sugar and give your body the quick energy needed to get through a HIIT workout like boxing or crossfit. although not very dense with calories like some other options you won’t feel the difference as you power through your work out.

4. WATER
Ok, not technically a food but this is still a reminder that you NEED to hydrate before, during and after a work out to keep yourself feeling optimal the whole time.

5. SWEET TARTS
You read that right, Sweet Tarts. The little candies Sweet Tarts have the main ingredient of glucose, NOT sucrose. glucose turns to glycogen and glycogen is what your body needs to power its muscles. For my clients on a low carb diet and for my fighters about to step into the ring, sweet tarts are a stand by. Plus when you’ve been eating clean and working hard it can feel like a little treat!