For everyone who exercises, I’m sure you have had the thought, do I eat something before I workout? Does it burn more fat to workout on an empty stomach? But will I have enough energy to get the best workout?
Everyone is different. Some people can’t stomach anything when they first wake up, while others can enjoy a lavish breakfast. I’m not writing to tell you that you have to eat before a workout, but the way I see it, if you are going to be awake at least 2 hours before you go to the gym or fitness class, from experience, eating something will give you the fuel and energy you need to kill it in your workout. Just make sure it is the right fuel.
Being a personal trainer, my schedule fluctuates based on clients availability. Sometimes I have a 6am client, so I won’t have the opportunity to workout until 7am or 8am. When this happens, I know that by the time I get to working out, if I haven’t had anything to eat, my stomach will be growling and I won’t have the energy to give the workout my all.
On a couple occasions, I have had clients come in for a 9am training session, and start off like a bat out of hell only to find they lose their steam not even half way through the workout. A lot of times they find themselves sitting with their head between their knees, breathing deeply to ease the nausea. When this happens, I know right away the likely culprit is they haven’t eaten anything and most likely haven’t drank much water.
Again, everyone is different, so if you can go hours without eating and blast through your workout – go for it. As for me, I always recommend that at the very least, my clients try having a 1/4-1/2 c cooked oatmeal with 1 tbsp. of nut butter. This carb-protein combo is easy to digest, and will release energy slowly. Eating a sugar filled bar can leave you, again, running out of steam midway through your workout due to your blood sugar dropping after a large spike.
Not in the mood to make your pre workout snack? Checkout these Kind Healthy Grains Bars for a great (and tasty!) source of fuel. Personally, I LOVE the Dark Chocolate Chunk flavor!
Want other ideas for pre workout fuel? Checkout these banana oatmeal pancakes!
Written by Maddy Swertfager