Pre and Post-Workout Snacks That Will Keep You Going Strong
What’s the best thing to eat before working up a sweat? And what about the best snacks for after you hit the gym? This article explores various options of pre and post-workout snacks that will keep you going strong with your gym goals.
Pre and Post-Workout Snacks: Snacks That Will Keep You Going Strong
One thing that can totally mess with your focus as you’re fighting through the last few reps of your last set is a grumbling stomach. If this sounds familiar, you know that it’s really so hard to work out when you’re hungry. It’s also even more frustrating if you feel like you’ve probably fueled up before hitting the gym, and now it seems like you haven’t.
And then, there are those moments when you’ve just finished an intense workout and feel like your energy battery has reached zero. It’s now when you think of eating just one bite of whatever snack will help you replenish your energy to get going with the rest of the day.
If you’ve nodded your head at everything we’ve just said, you’ve come to the right place to find out what snacks you should consume before and after working out. Here are eight pre and post-workout snack suggestions:
The Best Things to Eat Before a Workout
Don’t go to the gym on an empty stomach if you want to get the most out of your workouts. Not eating enough before your training can make you dizzy, lightheaded, and lethargic.
Plus, it can also negatively impact your gym performance and reduce your gains. But what if you don’t have the time to have a complete meal? At least try to eat some snacks to fuel up before you work up a sweat.
1. Banana with peanut butter
This one is a perfect pre-workout snack because it provides your body with everything it needs to go through all the difficult exercises you have in mind. Bananas are high in fibers, keeping you feeling less hungry during your workout.
Plus, they’re also a great source of potassium, which helps keep your blood pressure in check while also caring for your muscles and digestive system. Peanut butter is another ingredient that will help you keep on going strong.
It will be your dose of niacin, helping your body get enough energy for your exercises, and also cares for your digestive system, cholesterol level, and your heart health.
2. Hard-boiled egg and avocado toast
Eggs are packed with high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals, making them an excellent pre-workout snack. Plus, research has also found that eggs stimulate muscle growth and repair.
As for your boost of energy, you can take that from some avocado toast. Avocados are packed with healthy fat, which will give you just the right amount of energy you need when you work out, and carbohydrate depletion occurs.
3. Peanut butter and jelly
It may be old fashion, but this snack still does an amazing job at preparing your body for an intense workout. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a combination that will give you the energy boost you’re looking for.
4. Fruit and yogurt smoothie
Smoothies are perfect for giving your body the nutrients it needs to perform at the gym without making you feel sluggish during your workout. Yet, it’s best to prepare your own version of protein-rich yogurt and fruit rather than choose a store-bought version that may be high in added sugar.
You can mix some protein-rich yogurt with berries and some ice, and you’ll have a delicious and nutrient-packed snack.
The Best Things to Eat After a Workout
So, you’ve just completed an exhausting gym session, and now you’re desperately looking to refuel with a post-workout snack. You’re likely thinking about a protein bar, which makes perfect sense as protein plays an essential role in muscle synthesis.
But, your options aren’t limited to a protein bar. There are a number of other post-workout snacks that can help you refuel, recharge, and recover after a brutal workout. Here are some post-workout snack suggestions you may want to try:
1. Greek yogurt with berries
This nutrient-dense snack is not only delicious, but it also has enough digestible protein to help your body restore and repair after a challenging workout. Muscles are depleted of amino acids after intense physical activity, so they need a great amount of protein to build up. This makes low-fat Greek yogurt with some berries an excellent after-workout snack.
2. CBD edibles
You’ve likely heard about CBD by now. This “miracle” natural remedy has been found to have a number of health benefits. One of CBD’s popular benefits is helping relieve delayed onset muscle soreness and exercise, which is something that happens after physical activity as microscopic damage occurs to muscle fibers.
CBD wholesale edibles, like sweets, chocolate, cookies, or chewing gum, can also make excellent post-workout snacks, especially if you still want to be excited about your training the next day. Do make sure to buy your CBD products from a reputable vendor like Simply Green.
3. Protein popcorn
Yes, popcorn is a fantastic snack after the gym, not only while you binge-watch your favorite TV series. Protein popcorn is a great go-to post-workout snack as it is an excellent whole-grain source that helps replenish glycogen storage after intense physical activity. You can also sprinkle one scoop of flavored protein powder also to assist your muscles’ recovery.
4. Chocolate milk
We’re betting this is your childhood favorite as well. So, you’ll probably enjoy a glass of chocolate milk after an intense workout more than anything.
Chocolate milk has the ideal ratio of carbs to protein that can significantly support your muscles to refuel and rebuild. Compared to plain milk, water, or sports drinks you can typically find at your gym, chocolate milk contains double the carbohydrate content, which makes it ideal for your tired muscles.
Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV from Pexels
Photo by Polina Tankilevitchfrom Pexels
