Convenient pre-workout snacks from fast-food restaurants or similar?

mr_canoe_head

I wonder what others are doing for convenient pre-workout snacks? I'm looking for something inexpensive, easy to get, for example at one of the fast food restaurants, and in particular, something which tastes good. Expensive gross tasting whey-protein shakes are not for me!

For me, my current true pre-workout superfood is a Burger King chocolate sundae:

* It has lots of simple carbs for energy - 36g sugar/portion. Sorry, low-carbers! ;-)
* It's pretty easy to digest, I think.
* Calories are not excessive (here in Germany, Burger King states 223 kcal).
* It has at least some protein. (4g) Well, that's better than nothing.
* It costs only 99 Euro cents. :-)
* And it tastes super!

I'm not trying to lose weight; in fact I wouldn't mind a few extra pounds/kgs of muscle. I make sure I get enough protein at regular meals.

Anyone have other ideas of "hacking" fast-food menus for something decent to eat before a workout? Some of the other things on offer which are higher in protein seem to also be high in sodium, which I'm not to crazy about.

kommodevaran

It seems to me you can just eat anything you like.

Seajolly

I think anything with carbs that isn't loaded with sugar or sodium is best. Doesn't really matter what it is, but personally I wouldn't eat something huge before a workout. I know a lot of people drink chocolate milk pre-workout. Or banana with peanut butter. But you're asking for fast food, so I'd say:

- latte from Starbucks
- ham & swiss panini from Starbucks
- kids meal from Subway or 1/2 of a sandwich from Subway
- chicken nuggets from McDonalds
- soft taco from Taco Bell

mr_canoe_head

I like the idea of chocolate milk. :-) A latte or similar sounds good too. That has a caffeine bonus. ;-)

But what's wrong with sugar if I'm about to do a workout anyway? I think I need something easy to digest: chicken nuggets are high in protein but would just sit in my stomach.

Thanks for the suggestions!

EricLFC1892

banana.. simple pre wrapped goodness

thelovelyLIZ

mr_canoe_head wrote: »

I like the idea of chocolate milk. :-) A latte or similar sounds good too. That has a caffeine bonus. ;-)

But what's wrong with sugar if I'm about to do a workout anyway? I think I need something easy to digest: chicken nuggets are high in protein but would just sit in my stomach.

Thanks for the suggestions!

The only time I've ever done a high sugar meal prior to a workout was when I was half marathon training, and even then only if I was running 6 or more miles. Similarly, I didn't but out the Gu energy shots unless I was doing a long run either. Assuming you're fueling properly throughout your day, you shouldn't need a high sugar meal right before the workout because you've already got some energy on reserve. So unless you're doing an hour or more if intense cardio, I don't know how much good that high sugar treat is doing you.

It's also worth mentioning that there's probably not much nutritional value in something like that. Nothing wrong with having it as a treat, but I don't know how many favors you're doing with that pre workout. The banana and peanut butter suggestion is one I always liked. Oatmeal has been good to me too. If you're looking to build muscle, protein before or after is a good call. I like the grilled snack wraps a lot if fast food places have these days. The chicken nuggets suggestion is also solid- why not do those after so it's not just sitting in your stomach?

mr_canoe_head

EricLFC1892 wrote: »

banana.. simple pre wrapped goodness

That's true. Bananas are great. I should try this, but it will involve more planning - there's nowhere close to my fitness studio where I can just grab a banana. I'll just have to shop ahead and hope the banana doesn't freeze in the car in cold weather or turn to mush in hot weather. ;-)

Thanks for the idea.

mr_canoe_head

thelovelyLIZ wrote: »

The only time I've ever done a high sugar meal prior to a workout was when I was half marathon training, and even then only if I was running 6 or more miles. Similarly, I didn't but out the Gu energy shots unless I was doing a long run either. Assuming you're fueling properly throughout your day, you shouldn't need a high sugar meal right before the workout because you've already got some energy on reserve. So unless you're doing an hour or more if intense cardio, I don't know how much good that high sugar treat is doing you.

It's also worth mentioning that there's probably not much nutritional value in something like that. Nothing wrong with having it as a treat, but I don't know how many favors you're doing with that pre workout. The banana and peanut butter suggestion is one I always liked. Oatmeal has been good to me too. If you're looking to build muscle, protein before or after is a good call. I like the grilled snack wraps a lot if fast food places have these days. The chicken nuggets suggestion is also solid- why not do those after so it's not just sitting in your stomach?

That sounds like pretty solid advice. However I often feel pretty depleted by the end of the day and am looking for a little pick-me-up before I do strength training. On these days I do generally work out for more than an hour - I'm training for a marathon - so I might have already gone for a run of over an hour before I get to the gym. I keep some Gu for emergencies, but I could never get into enjoying the stuff.

Post workout is not a problem: I normally cook something nutritious with high quality protein, lots of vegetables, and complex carbs. Unless it is really true that I should take in protein within 30 minutes of the workout, I don't need the nuggets afterwards.

nowine4me

Frozen bananas are awesome. But why not just stock up on protein bars and leave them in the car?

jgnatca

Muscle Milk from the convenience store.
Snack wrap, roast chicken, McDonald's.

mr_canoe_head

nowine4me wrote: »

Frozen bananas are awesome. But why not just stock up on protein bars and leave them in the car?

Because... I just don't really find them tasty. :-( Is it really that important that I get protein before my workout - as long as I get sufficient protein and other necessary nutrients throughout the day?

That said, this morning I ate a banana on peanut butter spread over whole-wheat crisp bread (two hours) before running a 10k race: it tasted great and I set a personal best time. ;-) It can't get better than that!

Mh... frozen bananas. I saw a recipe somewhere for a "sundae" made with frozen bananas instead of ice cream. I'm going to have to try that.

jgnatca

A nutritionist told my tour group that it is more important to load up with a modest carb snack before working out. Protein can only be absorbed at a certain rate anyways.