Best foods to eat before and after a workout

Photo: Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries.

Simple carbs will boost energy before a workout.

There’s no need to eliminate eating before training. It can even give you a huge boost of energy if you know the right foods to eat and when to eat them!

We often get clients complaining of dizziness or a growling stomach because they haven’t eaten before training.

Get the most out of your workouts by eating the right foods.

Pre workout meal

Include some simple carbohydrates, something that will digest quickly and give you that boost of energy you need right away.

Typically you’ll hear “Always eat complex carbohydrates, they’ll leave you feeling fuller for longer.”

Ignore that advice. You need some quick energy before training.

Pre workout meal ideas

  • Fruit (banana, apple, pineapple, strawberry, any fruit)
  • A slice of white toast with strawberry jam
  • Cereal: Wheatbix, corn flakes, or any cereal that you enjoy ( keep it reasonably nutritious!). Add some fruit to it to really get you going!
  • Honey in water: A few teaspoons of honey in warm water will digest very quickly and leave you feeling ready to train.

These are only a few ideas. Experiment yourself and see what does the trick for you.

Post workout meal

I’m sure you’ve heard about the ‘window of opportunity’ when it comes to a post session meal. Typically within 30 minutes after the session.

What this means is that after training, anything that you eat will be stored in your muscle as your bodies cells are more receptive to replenishment within that 30 minute mark post workout.

Or so it has been said.

There is a little controversy on this topic, but what we can tell you is that post workout meals are important!

Include protein and carbohydrate, so your body can replenish its glycogen stores and help repair the muscle tissue.

Post workout meal ideas

  • Whey isolate protein powder + milk (or water, whichever you prefer)
  • Chicken breast and mashed sweet/white potato
  • Boiled/scrambled eggs and a banana
  • Can of tuna with some brown rice

Try these out and find what works for you. Make sure you also stay hydrated as that’s very important too!

Need help with your pre and post workout meals? Give us a call!

Beyond Fitness Personal Training