What Should I Eat Before a Workout? “Should” I Eat Before Working Out?
Posted on July 1, 2009 by diane
I’ve often wondered about this, and I’ve read some conflicting opinions in various articles. Here’s the lowdown on what to eat before working out to make sure you’re fueled but not too full:
DO NOT workout on an empty stomach.
When you exercise, your body’s main fuel is carbohydrates that have been stored in the muscles and liver in the form of glycogen. When glycogen stores are depleted, your body will indeed tap its fat reserves, but it will tap your muscles as well. You will not have the energy you need to power through a tough workout, and tough workouts are the only way to tone your body!
Eat an easy to digest snack 20-30 minutes before working out.
Eating too much before a workout can make you sluggish, but eating too little can make you feel like you’re starving in the middle of your exercise. Try to eat about 200 calories within an hour before your workout, with most of these calories coming from carbohydrates (see below).
Pre-Workout Snack Ideas
* Fresh fruit such as apples, watermelon, peaches, grapes, or oranges
* Small container of organic yogurt with 1/2 cup of fresh fruit
* Apple with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
* A banana and 20 mini-pretzels
* Egg whites and a whole grain english muffin
* 1/2 Banana and a small container of organic yogurt
* 1 cup of cereal with 1/2 cup of skim milk
Stay Hydrated!
Don’t forget to drink plenty of water throughout the day as well as before and during your workout. If you feel parched your body is already too thirsty!
Here is a video from trainer Jillian Michaels answering this very question:
