What to Eat Before a Workout: Essential Tips for Optimal Performance

Eating the right foods before exercising can enhance your workout performance and help you achieve your health and fitness goals. It also helps you to stay hydrated and energized so you can get the most out of your gym session. Here are some essential tips for ensuring you eat the best foods before your workout.

Choose Complex Carbs

The ideal pre-workout meal should include complex carbohydrates to provide fuel and energy during activity. Carbs are the primary energy sources the body needs for prolonged physical activity and should make up the majority of your pre-workout meal or snack. Complex carbohydrates take longer to digest than simple carbs, so they don’t cause a sudden spike in blood sugar. Good sources of complex carbs include whole grains, beans, legumes, vegetables, fruits, and nuts.

Limit Fat and Fiber

Though healthy fats and fiber are essential for any diet, eating foods that are high in fiber and fat before exercising can slow down digestion and cause bloating and gastrointestinal discomfort — not exactly what you want when you’re ready to workout. To avoid these side effects, limit your intake of fat and fiber before exercise and focus on eating nutrient-dense complex carbohydrates.

Add Lean Protein

Protein provides the building blocks for muscle growth and repair. Eating a balanced macronutrient meal before exercising will provide you with the nutrients you need for a successful workout. Lean proteins that are low in saturated fat, such as skinless poultry, fish, lowfat dairy, and beans, provide the ideal balance of amino acids and can easily be digested before a workout. Try adding some lean protein to your pre-workout meal or snack and you’ll be ready to get your sweat on!

Taking the time to plan your pre-workout meal can make a big difference in your results, preventing fatigue and gastrointestinal distress while keeping your energy levels up throughout your workout. Follow the tips above to ensure you’re consuming the right foods before exercise and your body will thank you!