I’m not sure about you but my energy level in the gym is heavily influenced by my last meal. If I exercise before eating anything, I run out of steam quickly. 20 minutes in my mind is searching for energy sources, convincing me that we’re going to have to leave early today.

What To Look For In Pre-Workout Foods

I get a much better workout when I eat 30-45 minutes before hand. I look for slow releasing carbs that don’t spike sugar levels (think rolled oats instead of energy bars) and I look for a little protein. The protein often makes my carbs feel more filling and putting it in pre-workout helps with toning.

We want something easy to digest.

Top 6 Foods To Eat 30-45 minutes Before a Workout

Fruit With Nut Butter

Pears, apples, banana etc are easy to digest and full of clean energy. Pair them with any preservative free nut butter and you have a delicious sweat treat that will fuel you through an intense workout. Peanut butter on banana with some cacao nibs 45 minutes before class is the way to go if time permits. Or simply dip an apple in almond butter.

Carrots & Hummus

Carrot juice is a ridiculous source of energy. All the marketing budgets preaching the health of Gatorade could actually be applied honestly to carrots and carrot juice. Its a sincere multi-vitamin. But I assume you don’t have time to squeeze some, so lets get your Bugs Bunny on. Similar to our fruit+nut butter combo above, dipping raw carrots into hummus is a simple way to get slow releasing energy and protein.

Small Smoothie

The Green Press smoothie formula is greens + protein + fruit + plant based milk. It works perfectly pre and post-workout. However, I find a big smoothie too much. What I end up doing is making a 750ml (or 25 ounce) smoothie and enjoy 1/3 of it before working out. I’ll finish the rest post-workout so that I’m replenishing and re-fueling.

Small Bowl Of Granola

I love about ten tablespoons of our Cereal Killer granola. Either with greek yoghurt or almond milk. The trick is to not eat too much. It’s pretty fibre dense so we have enough to fuel, not enough to fill the stomach.

Chia Pudding 

This one takes some planning but a chia pudding is another brilliant fuel source. Easy to eat and full of omega3s and protein. I like activating mine with coconut water and vanilla bean or a vegan chocolate protein powder with cold coffee (#genius).

Overnight Oats or Oatmeal

Rolled oats are one of my favourite carbs. Slow burning energy, fibre dense, tasty and versatile. I like soaking them in almond milk, ideally for a few hours but I have no problem eating them straight away too. A warm bowl of oatmeal with raw honey and cinnamon will also get you going.

Bonus Energy Sources 10-15 Minutes Before Exercise

Cold Pressed Beetroot Juice

I mentioned carrot juice above. One of my favourites. A scientifically loved alternative or partner to carrot juice, is beetroot juice.

Coffee

I love a little clean caffeine to get the heart racing. Whether its cold drip, espresso or a dirty cup of instant coffee. Nothing creamy though. Just enegerising black beans and water. Maybe some cinnamon.

 

 

Article by James Mcloughlin – Green Press 

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