Which top 5 foods to eat before a morning workout
In order to have a good morning workout, you might want to get a little boost of energy from food. There are various foods you can eat before starting your morning workout in order to maximize your performance.
Following a healthy breakfast routine is as important as eating something that will help you (and your body) sustain it. SO what should you eat before a workout in the morning?
When your 5 am alarm clock goes off every morning Monday through Friday, you jump out of bed, slip on some sweats and a t-shirt, grab your bag and head out the door. You’re seeing gains and you’re feeling motivated to continue on this schedule. Perhaps you notice that some days you feel a little more energetic than others. You also realize that you’re not eating properly before your workouts.
When it comes to fitness, everything matters, including what you eat before a morning workout. Mind and body isn’t just a catch phrase. What you eat, and when you eat it, can have a great impact on your performance.
Think about it. If you eat a heavy meal, say for example a steak, and an hour later you’re trying to workout, will that work out for you? It’s likely that the answer is no. Your body needs time and energy in order to digest a big meal, let alone a steak. However, if you fuel your body with smaller portions that energize you, then you’ll be maximizing your time and effort when you train.
Now, if you’re trying to workout in the morning, then the golden rule about breakfast being the most important meal of the day is still applicable. In fact, it can be crucial. It comes down to a perfect mix of carbs and proteins. You don’t have to eat a lot. Aiming for a small, well-rounded breakfast can get you the long-lasting boost you’re looking for while sprinting your last mile on the treadmill.
Before your morning workout, you should aim to eat something at least 30 minutes before your workout and add a glass of water.
Not sure what to eat? Here are the top 5 foods for an iconic man to eat before a morning workout:
Raspberry smoothie: Who doesn’t like a good smoothie in the morning? Especially for a sweet tooth person like myself. Any smoothie in the morning is a great addition to your day, really. It requires very little ingredients, it's easy to make, it’s healthy and it’s easy to consume when you’re on the go. I’m more likely to drink smoothies during the summer, but I do have them all year-round because they’re tasty and you can’t go wrong with a smoothie. Use a bit of Greek yogurt, a cup of raspberries (or your favorite berries), half a cup of nonfat milk and some ice and drink up! The combination of Greek yogurt and raspberries is the perfect mix of natural probiotics and fibers. This drink will make you feel full and is low in calories.
Oatmeal bowl: This one is my all-time favorite meal to have before a workout and in the morning in general. It’s quick and easy to make and it keeps me full. To compliment this, I like to add some chia seeds, flax seeds, walnuts, almond butter and a bit of honey for taste. You can also add almond milk or Greek yogurt to make it creamier, it’s up to you. The benefit of adding Greek yogurt to this recipe is that it will give you a protein punch, especially if you add a bit of protein powder in there.
Banana and peanut butter: If you’re not a breakfast person and rather keep it simple, you can always go for a banana and some peanut butter. Bananas are loaded with simple carbs for fuel and potassium, which help optimal nerve and muscle function. Top it with some peanut butter for taste, just make sure to stick to no more than two tablespoons because it is quite high in calories.
Peanut butter and jelly sandwich: Oh, to be a kid again. Can you ever go wrong with a PBJ? Not only is it conveniently easy to make, it’s tasty and it’s the perfect pre-workout snack to consume thanks to the protein and carbs it contains. Make sure to use whole-wheat bread and natural nut butter to stick to a healthy diet.
Low-fat cottage cheese and dried apricots: Cottage cheese contains healthy amounts of casein and whey protein. Casein is a slow-digesting protein that fuels your muscles and helps with growth and recovery. Whey, on the other hand, helps bulk muscle and burn fat. You can easily add dried apricots or other dried fruits for taste. Just bear in mind that the combination of protein and carbs can lead to belly bloat because it’s low in fat and fiber.
If you’re planning on hitting the gym tomorrow for some cardio or arm workout in the morning and don’t have these ingredients, make a quick trip to the store. Once you implement this as part of your daily routine, start to pay attention to how you feel and any other difference you notice in levels of energy. Are you feeling more energized? Are you feeling more awake? Has your lifting power improved? Try some of these foods and see how you feel. A healthy combination of a workout routine and a diet is also the combination of an iconic man in the making!
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