Best Foods to Eat Pre and Post Workout

A good workout should always be accompanied by a proper diet. A common misconception in the workout community is that one should avoid eating before hitting the gym. However, this can do more harm than good. So to help you plan the right diet to go along with your exercise regime, here is a list of foods that you should consume before and after your workout to make your journey much easier. 

Pre-workout meals 

If you are going to put your body through a rigorous gym regime, you might as well give it the motivation required in terms of protein and carbohydrates laden food. It is important to eat at least 30 minutes before your workout so your stomach doesn’t jump around in tandem with your workout. Working out on an empty stomach might lead to a dizzy spell, some nausea, and even light-headedness, derailing your well-planned workout. Carbs in your pre-workout snack can help you push your body harder, so this is a win-win situation. Here are some healthy, quick and easy pre-workout food ideas: 

• A granola bar 

• Toast 

• Fruit 

• Overnight oats with fruits and/or nuts 

• Greek yogurt

• Hard-boiled eggs

• Milk

• Dried fruits and nuts

And most importantly, don’t forget to hydrate, hydrate and hydrate! 

After a good workout, your body has just finished a massive test of strength, endurance, and perseverance. Don’t you think it deserves a treat? Well, we do because a post-workout meal can be instrumental in how your body recovers after a bout of exercise. What you eat after the gym affects how your muscles recover. 

Again, a good combination of carbohydrates and protein is important. But if you are not up for a full meal post-workout, here are a few snacks you can grab before it is meal time:

• Nut butter with a fruit of your choice

• Milk / Smoothie (flavoured or unflavoured, with a scoop of Fitness Standard™ protein powder)

• Eggs

• Almonds (with skin)

And when it is time for your meal, make sure it is well-balanced to help your body replenish all the calories it has used up while also speeding up your body’s recovery. Your daily dose of protein needs to be tailored to your body’s needs, and you need to make sure that you’re adding enough protein sources to aid in quicker muscle development and recovery. Some sample meals are listed below: 

• Sautéed/ steamed veggies

• Salad with beans and veggies with low-fat dressing 

• Brown rice/ quinoa, veggies, with fish or shrimp

Remember, what you eat is just as important as what you do during your workout. Check out our previous post on how much protein intake you need, add a dose of Fitness Standard’s™ WPI or WPC, and you’ll be on the right way forward.