Monday 22 July 2013

6 Foods That Are Great Pre-Workout Snacks

By Mark Robinson


Two prerequisites of a good workout are a steady stomach and availability of ample energy to the body. However it has been observed that people have a tendency to skip meals before a workout for either lack of time or lack of knowledge. After reading this article you will be left with no more doubts about what to eat before your workout. The tummy friendly recipes enumerated below are ideally protein laden and easy to prepare.

1. A whole-wheat bagel with jam:

These together contain both complex and simple carbs and therefore give the digestive system an easy go. Simple carbs are utilized much faster than the complex kind so a mixture of the two is preferred to fuel up your workouts comfortably from start to finish.

2. Protein shake with added carbohydrates:

A good way to benefit from protein and at the same time stay energized with carbohydrates is a protein shake. It is also an easy on-the-go snack. It is advised to prepare a shake with juice and water and avoid milk as it may cause mucous. Thereafter you can add a banana or oats to load it with carbohydrates.

3. Oatmeal:

Oatmeal is great for morning workouts when you run on empty and cannot have a meal 1-2 hours before you workout. It gets on with the system pretty well and quickly too. Added fruit will get into bloodstream even more quickly and give you the desired energy.

4. Greek yogurt:

The Greek variety of yogurt usually much less sugar than the regular types, and a lot more protein. It is also really easy to prepare (you don't have to) and is perfect (in small amounts) before intense workouts. To add some extra kick, try tossing in some honey or cut up fruits.

5. Brown rice with chicken:

For those who plan to work out after lunch or dinner, brown rice is ideal with tofu or chicken. Brown rice is a better source of complex carbohydrates than white rice. This bland meal sits well and gives a good amount of protein and carbohydrates.

6. Legumes:

Beans and lentils are again a great source of protein and carbohydrates, an excellent slow release energy source. It is therefore ideal for workouts beginning after 1-2 hours of a meal. It is advised not to overeat as legumes might induce flatulence due to gas inducing natural sugars called oligosaccharides and you might get noticed by others in the gym for wrong reasons!

Timing of the meal is of great significance. The foods mentioned here are best to be had before your workout but even they can trouble you mid workout if not allowed to digest properly. It is best to have a meal at least 45 minutes before you begin workout and if it is a heavy meal, workout shall commence even later. While it is true that certain foods settle well and get into the bloodstream fast, you might feel sluggish when working out on a full stomach. It can even cause cramps as blood is pulled away from the stomach while exercising.

When there just isn't enough time for a bigger meal, even a small snack within that 45 minutes prior to exercise, it is still a wise choice to at least have a small snack.




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