Pre-Workout Snacks

calihoya
calihoya Posts: 80 Member
edited November 22 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi Everyone. So, I've recently started using my lunch hour to hit the gym and get in some cardio. I tend to be anemic so I have a hard time building up my cardio intensity and time (I had been doing okay with diet and now I'm going to have to get back on supplements because my diet hasn't been as iron heavy). My question is - I don't like to eat breakfast (I'm not hungry in the AM and am more hungry in the evenings) but my small mid-morning snack doesn't seem to be cutting it. My workouts are suffering to the point where I feel like I may pass out and sometimes have to stop all together. What are some good pre-workout snacks that aren't too heavy that help you fuel your workout? I don't want to eat a full lunch right before I workout for obvious reasons. Thanks!

Replies

  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    My pre or mid workout snack of choice is a banana. they are awesome. It takes 15-30 mins to kick in for me.

    Looking at anemia and especually if you arent taking an iron supplement then the NHS site says sources of iron rich products are

    Good sources of iron include:

    dark-green leafy vegetables, such as watercress and curly kale
    iron-fortified cereals or bread
    brown rice
    pulses and beans
    nuts and seeds
    meat, fish and tofu
    eggs
    dried fruit, such as dried apricots, prunes and raisins

    Of those you could have some trail mix with nuts and dried fruit. Most supermarkets sell it these days. Somewhere like Aldi sells trail mix either dried fruit or a seed or nut version.

    Drink water as well.

    keep experimenting. For instance you could add the seeds and dried fruit or fruit to a greek yoghurt. theres plenty of articles on pre workout foods. Banana and peanut butter sandwich I also like. You are aiming for a balance of eating enough to fuel the workout but dont overdo it. You will sense when your fatigue is due to a hard workout rather than running out of energy. The common factors are complex carbs for steady energy release, but the closer in time frame you get to the exercise then the simpler the carbs become so the body finds it easier to breakdown. Thats where a few simple carbs come in.
    http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/nutrition/best-workout-foods/

    https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=[re+wprkout+snacks&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=idS_Vfu4N8j0-AHgmLywCA
  • calihoya
    calihoya Posts: 80 Member
    Wonderful ideas, thank you! Also, thanks for the links. I will check those out!
  • piperdown44
    piperdown44 Posts: 958 Member
    I can't lift at 11:15am without my 10:30am snack.
    Usually honey greek yogurt (140 cals, 14 grams protein) or on the days like deadlifts or squats I have a cliff bar, chocolate chip brownie.
    But anything snackish should work.
  • ilovec4eva
    ilovec4eva Posts: 13 Member
    Banana with pb or apple with pb. Gives you the quick burst if healthy sugar and the protein
  • calihoya
    calihoya Posts: 80 Member
    Lots of suggestions for items with peanut butter, which sounds like a good plan of attack for me as long as some weighing is involved. Thanks for all the replies!
  • Jacqui_Runs
    Jacqui_Runs Posts: 68 Member
    I love a slice of toast with a tablespoon of peanut butter. That's definitely my fave. But you should definitely include a snack that is high in iron. A hard boiled egg and some nuts might do the trick for you. Good luck!
  • edwardetr
    edwardetr Posts: 140 Member
    Personally, I wouldn't eat peanut butter just before a workout because the fat would sit in my stomach like a rock, but everybody is different. I have a dextrose and whey solution because they both digest quickly. If it were several hours before the workout, whole grain toast and almond butter with banana slices on top. Also, try a casein and peanut butter shake just before bed. That may help sustain you in the morning so you are not trying to catch up later in the day.
  • barbecuesauce
    barbecuesauce Posts: 1,771 Member
    Pre-running: Nothing. Coffee with milk and sometimes protein powder. Occasionally a banana with peanut butter--it really doesn't sit heavy in my stomach, but I only use about 10-12 grams.
  • calihoya
    calihoya Posts: 80 Member
    I had a power bar type thing this AM and it seemed to help. That being said, I'm weird and don't like eggs or bananas (well, I'll use bananas in a smoothie) so while those are great in theory, I'll have to get over some texture and smell aversions to try those out.
  • LiveLoveLift48
    LiveLoveLift48 Posts: 379 Member
    I exercise first thing in the morning ( 5am) and usually cant put much in that early. On light workout days i will usually have a banana and a little handful of MnMs lol. Just gives me that sugar/carb energy boost......other days i will have a PB sandwich.
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