What's your pre-workout fuel?

[MatthewFitbit]

What's your pre-workout fuel?

A properly-timed bite to eat before a workout can help to burn fat, build muscle, and recover for your next activity. These snacks will incorporate a balance of carbs, protein, and fats, and can keep you moving both during and after your workout. Here's on of my personal favorites, to kick us off:

Blend the following completely in your blender:

1/2 banana
1/2c frozen açaí puree
1/4c frozen blueberries
1/2c greek yogurt
handful of spinach
1/2c almond milk/juice
1 tbsp honey

This will give you a smoothie that tastes fantastic, and offers a good amount of protein along with some good fats that will serve you well in your workout (grab a handful of almonds or a scoop of peanut butter for even more). It's quick to digest, so that you can get on with your activities without slowing down. 

What's your go-to food for getting the energy you need before a workout or activity? Share your favorite recipe or snack and maybe try out some of the suggestions here!

[jenninaustin]

Thanks for this! I definitely plan to try this on Weds morning before my 6 a.m. kickboxing class. 🙂 I think it will kick my typical boiled egg to the curb. 😉

[Jabrat]

I make my time-released Smoothies with:

1/2 Cup of Greek Yogurt (Fat-Free)

1/2 Cup Almond Milk

1 Scoop of Protein (Natural) Powder Mix (Time Released)

1 Cup Frozen Mangos

Ice (I add a little at a time to get the right consistency)

Sometimes I add a Banana

I use my Nutribullet !  Love it ! 

[JerryW]

I used to make juices and smoothies before I ran in the morning. But I am often out the door by 5am these days and my juicer/blender makes plenty of noise (which isn't appreciated). Most days now I grab a piece of fruit and multigrain bread. Any thoughts on the optimal timing for eating before a workout? I've heard an hour, but that won't work for me because I am already up before I like to eat.

[Ali]

I like a small bowl of whole grain cereal with lots of plain Greek yogurt and some frozen berries - whatever is in the freezer.

[CAGIRL]

I like to make two egg whites, have oatmeal, or a protein shake.

[cherfer]

I try not to eat less than an hour before I workout or I'll get heartburn

[Manticone]

I am sort of lazy, but before a longer work out, I keep it simple:

-1/2 a banana with a tiny bit of almond butter, a handful of raisins, and a few sips of tomato juice (I find the added potassium with a dollup of fat helps me go longer)

If I run, I do much the same, but add a few organic cornflakes to the mix.

I never eat more than about 1/2 cup of solid food before a run, and if I am swimming, I wait until I don't feel heavy (ie. I give my digestion a bit of time to work). I have major digestive problems, so I am always nibbling, rather than eating whole meals.

[krystalsjourney]

I have a maxi mussel protien shake 🙂 i have chocolate. And a raspberry one the raspberry one tasts like raspberry ripple ice cream 🙂 yummy i put a scoop of the protien shake with 300ml of semmi skimmed milk and they are deeelish xx

[MiclovinKahanca]

my pre workout is a bottle of ice water and a bannana and blueberry smoothie the water for the gym or run and smoothing for all the good stuff

[raaynn]

just a plain old banana, keeps me going and is pretty tasty too:)