I get it, you're just about to head out the door to go to the gym and as soon as you put your hand on the door handle your stomach starts to grumble.
Or you're heading to the gym after work and you don't want to have a full meal before the gym but a filling snack.
So I've got together some great snack ideas that won't put a dent into your daily calorie allowance...and also will be a great alternative than an expensive tub of pre-workout drink from a protein and supplement retailer.
Bananas
Inexpensive and 1 of your 5 a day. The super powers of having a banana before a workout include being a great natural source of carbohydrates and a perfect way to naturally boost your energy levels.
Porridge
If you're at your desk at work porridge is a great little pick me up before the gym. I advise carrying a pot of 40-50 grams of oats in your bag in case hunger strikes before you make it to the gym.
You can also be very flexible with your oats too. Feel free to top your porridge with some fruit or a square of dark chocolate or chia seeds. I also have a great recipe for overnight oats which you can find right here.
A cup of coffee
If you're looking to boost your energy levels then a cup of coffee before your workout is a great solution. Be mindful of your caffeine levels though, always have a jar of decaf coffee in your cupboard for when you want the taste of coffee but minus the caffeine.
Wholegrain Toast
A slice of wholemeal toast can do just the trick to keep the hunger at bay. Top your toast with a small slither of organic peanut butter and then you're ready to get your PB on that deadlift!
A handful of nuts
Emphasis on the handful. Nuts do have a high fat content but can give you the boost of energy you need. A lot of supermarkets also stock 'shots' of nuts such as almonds are cashews so a perfect alternative for grabbing a chocolate bar on the go!
So, what do I avoid before a pre-workout?
Make wise choices when it comes to your food intake at all times. Look at the food labels (not sure what this means, check out my blog post about it here!) and make sure you're within your daily calorie intake.
Avoid eating too much
Make sure you're pre-workout meal is small and sufficient. There's nothing worse than feeling like you're going to puke mid bicep curl.
Avoid high sugar snacks
Unless you have a medical condition or you are about to do a marathon - avoid a high sugar snack before you head off to the gym. Often my clients think having a bag of jelly sweets or a chocolate bar will give them a sugar rush. Yes, you will feel some boost of energy but it's not as sustainable or kind to your waistline as what a piece of fruit may have been.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post and next time you're about to hit a workout and you're feeling a bit peckish you will know how to tackle the hunger.
You can always get in touch with me if you're looking for a body transformation or a new training plan to make this year your fittest yet. Hit the button below to enquire!
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