The 8 best pre-workout foods

Want a great workout at the gym? Try out these foods.

Fruits especially bananas are an ideal pre-workout snack

Bananas, apples, peaches, pineapples, and grapes are energizing snacks and ideal just 20 30 minutes before your work out.

Natural sugar available in most fruits and especially bananas are easily digestible and bananas are packed with potassium, which aids in maintaining proper nerve and muscle function.

Courtesy: Gud2Eat.com

Vitamin C rich fruits (Berries or Oranges) an ideal pre-workout snack

Berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries,) are packed with phytonutrients; antioxidants and fiber if matched with protein rich cheese make a perfect pre-workout snack.

Nuts, Dried fruits and Seeds an ideal pre-workout snack

A mix of nuts and seeds is a good source of zinc and phosphorus where zinc helps muscles recover from workout and phosphorus promotes muscle growth and boosts energy.

Dried fruits provide healthy sugars giving you a quick energy boost. This is a high calorie snack so eat only a handful or in limited portions.

Yogurt an ideal pre-workout snack

The magnesium in yogurt can give you an energy kick for your workout and it is good choice if you are going to an intense cardio workout or one that involves weight lifting.

Yogurt is rich in protein and magnesium a mineral that gives you an energy boost as it activates enzymes that are involved in the metabolism of protein and carbs.

Oatmeal an ideal pre-workout snack

Oats are rich in fiber and are low on the glycemic index, thus the carbohydrates or sugar is released gradually into your bloodstream, keeping your energy levels constant during your workout.

Oatmeal is also a good source of B vitamins, which help lower stress and are energizing vitamins as they are vital in converting carbs into energy.

Wholegrain bread an ideal pre-workout snack

Wholegrain bread can be combined with low fat cheese or peanut butter or mint chutney and tomatoes or hard boiled egg or slice of grilled chicken breast.

Fruit smoothies an ideal pre-workout snack

Why should you consider fruit smoothies before or after workout? They are rich in complex carbohydrates and yogurt deliver the protein punch.

Fruit smoothies are recommended before and after work out as they are easily digested. The carbohydrate in fruit breaks down quickly and the protein helps prevent muscle damage.

Lentils an ideal pre-workout snack

Lentils are rich in carbohydrates, protein, fiber, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, calcium, and copper.

Lentils are also low in fat thus they make an ideal pre-workout energy boost. Ensure you snack on lentils at least 45 minutes before workout or you may end up with a bad case of gas.