The Most Effective Pre-Workout Meals
How is your workout going? Good enough to achieve your goals or most of the time you’re tired? It’s okay if it isn’t going well! Pre-workout meals are here to save your day!
Yes, some foods energize you when taken before an intense workout. And no, you can’t just grab a bite of anything you see. There are do’s and don’ts of pre-workout meals. Nevertheless, such meals are the Fuel to Kickstart your Pre-Workout routine engine. In fact, according to research, those who tend to take pre-workout meals perform 12.5% better than the other ones (Source: BioMedCentral)
So, where do you want to see Yourself?
To boost your activity, an organized pre-workout routine with the right meals and accurate timings is the key. And yes, that’s where people get confused.
Is a Pre-Workout Meal Necessary?
The necessity of a Pre-workout meal depends upon the person. If you have a perfectly balanced diet, you feel energized throughout the workout, and you have achieved the goals (which most people don’t), such a meal is not necessary for you.
However, if your goals keep growing with time, which definitely should (because no goal means no life), you need to bribe your body with some food.
What are the Best Pre Workout Meals?
The best meal depends upon your nutritional requirements and much more upon your goals. Without dragging any further, we want you to skim through our hand-picked Pre-Workout Meals and start following them right away.
Pre-Workout Meal # 1: Bananas
Bananas are the most economical and Easy Digest meal for fitness enthusiasts. They are rich in protein, carbs, and potassium. The glycogen level, which decreases due to excessive workout, is maintained by the breakdown of carbs. The potassium saves you from Muscle Cramps. The energy produced (by carbs, specifically) increases your exhaustion time by 13%, and that is great (Source: National Library of Medicine).
This pre-workout meal is a natural power pack that energizes not just the body but also fuels your brain cells to perform better. And who does not want that motivation coming right from the brain?!
Since bananas digest in no time, they can be taken between 15 mins to 1 hour before a workout, and no, that won’t be nauseous.
Pro Tip: If you’re on a weight loss journey and aiming for a low carb meal, avoid taking bananas as a pre-workout meal.
Pre-Workout Meal # 2: Oats
Oats are another great meal to start your workout. They are lightweight yet possess a list of essential nutrients including, complex carbs, protein, fibers, healthy fats, iron, and magnesium. The complex carbs gradually break that maintains a high-energy level throughout your workout.
Oatmeal is more like a supplement that helps in an intense workout without making you feel tired. People prefer taking it with a lot of added sugar, which adversely affects health. And we don’t want you to do that! To get the most out of Oatmeal, you can add a scoop of Protein Powder or fruits like blueberries, bananas, or cherries.
The best time to add oats to your Pre-Workout Routine is 2 to 4 hours before the workout.
Pro Tip: In case of an empty stomach, Oatmeal is your BEST option.
Pre-Workout Meal # 3: Brown Rice
Brown Rice serves your body with a perfect combination of fiber and complex carbohydrates. The preferred way to take this meal is with grilled chicken or/and roasted vegetables like broccoli or sweet potato. You can try other green vegetables as well, peas can be another option full of protein. If you are more of a meat person, the chicken can serve as an additional effective meal as it is a splendid example of lean protein.
An interesting fact about rice (both, white or brown) is that it consists of the right amount of nutrients, rich protein, and low fats. This blend of Pre-Workout Meals keeps you physically active even when you’re performing intense workouts or activities like cycling or running.
The combination works best 2 to 3 hours before a workout. But there is no wrong with consuming brown rice a bit earlier than the recommended hours.
Pre-Workout Meal # 4: Protein Smoothie
Protein smoothies are an easy go-to option for everyday workouts. They can completely be of your choice, packed with the same dose of energy. If you’re not in the mood for bananas, you can go with berries. The best part about these smoothies is, you don’t feel overly full, yet you get the adequate amount of energy required for a good workout.
There can be several combinations like kiwi, avocados, strawberries, orange, peanut butter, banana, berries, or almond milk. We bet you’re going to love each of them!
The best time for this pre-workout meal is 30 mins ahead or even in-between the workout.
Pre-Workout Meal # 5: Eggs
Eggs are stereotypically taken after a workout but to be honest, restricting them to a period is unjust to the benefits. They are easily digestible and full of protein, vitamins, and minerals.
We have been emphasizing the easy-to-digest foods, so why should we not consider Eggs? The accessible option? You can make yourself scrambled or poached eggs. They don’t compromise on providing muscle recovery and are light too.
But remember not to take eggs when there is less than one hour left for the workout.
Do you Need a Pre-workout meal?
To remain fit, people tend to struggle, yet they don’t maintain a pre-workout routine. Imagine you’re driving a car without enough fuel. How far do you think you can go?
So yes, you DO need a pre-workout meal for boosting your energy to a level where you can perform best. Not just this, these meals also improve your muscle growth and counter your muscle breakdown. You can also go with Pre-Workout Supplements but do maintain your properly organized routine.
However, it is vital to specify YOUR pre-workout meal. You can’t take all of these! If you are a fan of oatmeals, stick to that, and if your go-to option is bananas, be consistent. We would also say that if you’re a beginner, do some extra, try opting for supplements, and notice the difference.
