There is no secret why fitness enthusiasts choose to eat certain foods before and after a workout-they each serve their purposes! What you fuel your body with can really make a greater impact in your health & fitness goals, even more than you may realize. The goal is also to control your insulin or blood sugar levels to keep your workouts successful! Check out these simple food swaps to beat the muffin top!
Let’s start with pre-workout snacks. You may have heard about the great big debate on whether or not its a good idea to eat before a workout. Here are some of the benefits to having a little pre-workout snack: less fatigue, more energy, and decrease chance your blood sugar will be low enough to make you faint!
Instead of aiming for a full meal right before your workout, try these snacks below. They are designed to give you the energy or carbs you need to make your workout count!
Pre Workout Snacks
- Dried fruits
- Fresh Fruits
- Oatmeal
- Quinoa
- Rice Cakes with Nut Butter
- Banana with Almond Butter
- Smoothie
- Whole grain cereal with a cup of almond milk
- Granola or fruit & nut bar such as KIND or Larabar
Post workout snacks are just as important. After all that work that you have just put your body through, it needs some refueling to recover. Think of your body like a tank filled with gas. That gas or pre-workout snacks fuels you up for that intense workout. After the workout, you feel worn out! Your body is simply low on fuel or gas and needs a snack!
After a workout, your body craves more protein to nourish those muscles that have just been put to work. Protein not only helps the muscles recover, but they encourage and facilitate new muscle growth! You don’t just need protein post-workout though-you also need some carbs for more energy! Here are a few great classic post-workout snacks that have been tried & true.
Post Workout Snacks
- Chocolate Milk
- Boiled Eggs
- Protein Shakes
- Protein Bars
- Cottage Cheese with Berries
- Greek Yogurt with Berries
- Peanut Butter on Wheat Toast
- Hummus with Baby Carrots
- Cheese & Whole Grain Crackers
- Nuts
Next time you fuel up for a workout, think about what you are putting into your body and whether or not it can help or hinder your routine!
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