When I was younger, I used to eat an entire meal before I went to ice-skating practice. During my practice, I would regularly get stomach aches and would lose energy instead of gaining it. To make sure history didn’t repeat itself, I started experimenting with food before and during my workouts. My trainer, Johnny Fernand, has helped me with this. Of course appropriate pre- and post-workout nutrition depends on the kind of sport you are doing, but I do have some basic tips and tricks that apply more generally.
You need energy to start and keep moving, but working out just moments after a meal is not a good idea. You might notice that you sometimes feel tired after eating a meal… This is because your body has to digest the food you eat! Try to eat a low-fat, carb-rich, low-glycemic index meal an hour (or two) before your workout. Uh, what? The glycemic index (GI) is an indicator of the speed at which carbohydrates are digested and, in turn, influence your blood sugar level. Carbs that your body digests more slowly provide you with energy throughout the day as they slowly replenish your supplies. Below are three recipes for perfect pre-workout food. These recipes work best for me before I start my training as they’re light, low in fat and give me lots of energy.
Quinoa salad
This salad is filling, delicious and full of vitamins, healthy fats and protein! It’s my favorite!
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a true powerfood. It contains ‘slow’ carbs, which provide you with energy throughout the day! It’s a perfect pre-workout food.
Veggie shot
This drink provides me with an energy boost before my workout.
Nourish bowl
It is nutritious and super easy to put together!
Shake
Blend & enjoy.
What is your favorite pre-workout food?
