If you’re going to spend time working out—sweating away part of your day in the gym or in front of your television—you might as well do everything you can to maximize the results, right? And that means eating the right way before you work out.
Eating the right mix of foods prior to your workout will help ensure that you burn fat during your workout and are better prepared to build lean muscles after your workout.
Here are six foods you should eat before you work out (just don’t eat them all at once):
Whole Wheat Toast with Banana and Cinnamon
Eating carbs in whole wheat bread before you workout allows your body to release energy during your workout. The bananas will give you an extra dose of natural sugar (energy) as well as potassium, which will help keep you from cramping up. The cinnamon? That stabilizes blood sugar as well as tasting great.
Greek Yogurt and Trail Mix
The yogurt will help get your metabolism going and keep your stomach feeling good throughout your workout. The trail mix—especially the dried fruit—will give you extra energy while you’re working out.
Smoothies
A little yogurt, some sliced fruit, a half-cup of milk, and a scoop of protein powder is the perfect thing to sip on your way to the gym. You’ll be ready to burn fat during your workout and build muscle after.
Oatmeal with Fresh Fruit
If you work out early in the morning, eat a bowl of oatmeal beforehand and you won’t get hungry. The fruit tastes awesome and will give you energy while you’re working out.
Apple Wedges with Almond Butter
If you’re used to loading up on sugar to get a little energy before you work out, try apples dipped in almond butter. It’s better for you, full of valuable vitamins and will keep you riding high off the sugar buzz longer. No one likes to crash mid-workout.
Energy Bar
When it comes to convenience and simplicity, you can’t beat an energy bar. Look for one that’s high in protein, low in sugar.
