12 Things To Eat Before You Workout

Knowing what to eat before working out is an essential part in getting the most out of your workout. You'll need foods that can provide your body with the necessary carbohydrates and protein to form muscle, and the energy to power through a long workout.

Fruit Smoothie

Everyone loves a fruit smoothie, and if made with the correct ingredients it is a great pre-workout snack. When making a workout smoothie, be sure to leave out added sugar, and focus on fruits and vegetables that are high in protein and energy. You can even add different supplement powders to create the perfect smoothie for you.

Eggs on Toast

A great pre-workout snack is two eggs on whole wheat toast.  The protein in the eggs will help with muscle building and repair, and the whole wheat toast will give you energy to fuel your workout.

Protein Bar

While protein bars are great for a busy day, make sure you aren’t just eating a glorified candy bar.  Choose a bar that has at least 5 grams of protein and is around 200 calories. Make sure the sugar content isn’t outrageous and that a majority of the ingredients are natural. 

Turkey Avocado Pasta

For some seriously enviable eats, make this mouth-watering pasta dish. Mix a palm-sized amount of roasted turkey with 3 to 4 avocado slices and add to half a cup of whole-wheat pasta.  This dish has protein, healthy fats, and carbs!

Fruit and Cottage Cheese

Few people know this, but cottage cheese is low calorie and packed with protein!  For the perfect pre-workout munchies combine your favorite fruit, like blueberries, peaches, or pineapple, with half a cup of cottage cheese.

Bananas

Bananas are known to have all kinds of health benefits. Eating a few bananas before a workout sustains the body’s blood sugar and gives a great energy boost. Bananas also fight unwanted muscle cramps during or after a hard workout session.

Chickpeas

If you are unsure about chickpeas, remember that hummus counts too. This pre-workout snack contains complex carbohydrates and protein which are a great source of energy.

Chicken

Chicken works great for a plain meal before exercising. It is packed with protein providing the body with the necessary nutrients, while not being too filling. The carbohydrates then release to give the body energy.

Oats

Oats are a great source of carbohydrates. They are great before a workout because they heighten energy levels. They have also been found alter metabolism and elevate workout performance.

Egg Whites

The slow-release carbs found in egg whites are great for sustaining energy throughout a workout. Egg whites are also high in protein.

Brown Rice

Brown rice contains the carbs and protein that a person looks for before a good workout. It is a better source of complex carbs than the alternative choice of white rice.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant used by people all throughout the day. It is not surprising that it works well pre-workout as well. Caffeine increases energy and endurance, and is found to be most beneficial for cardio exercise.

Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt contains the necessary protein and carbohydrates needed for a workout, but has less added sugar than regular yogurt. It can be combined with dried fruits for added benefits.

Apples

Apples are filled with dietary fiber. They are a low calorie fruit that is high in protein. They work well before a workout because there is little preparation.

Black Beans

Black beans are a great source of complex carbs and protein. They can also be combined with brown rice for an extra boost. The carbohydrates allows for maximum concentration and performance.

Dried Fruit

Dried fruits like bananas and apples are a great source of natural sugar. The sugars provide the body with a surge of energy.