A nutritious meal is essential in any workout regimen. To find out what different pre-workout and post-workout meals you can eat to complement your exercise, read this post by Great Harvest in Newtonville, MA.
Having the right energy before a workout will help you do it more effectively. For that, however, you need to fuel your body correctly, which is why you need to consider your pre-workout snacks if you want to train smart and well.
Not any food will do: a light snack that has quality proteins and healthy carbs 30 to 60 minutes before working out will be the one to help you maximize your results.
Still, if you're blanking out on what it is exactly that you should be eating, here are a few ideas that you can follow.
Whole Wheat Toast with Peanut Butter and Bananas
I know what you're thinking: this first pre-workout snack option sounds more like a dessert than a healthy meal to eat before training. However, this is actually the perfect thing to pair with your workout regimen. The whole wheat toast, the peanut butter, and the bananas will give you the carbs you need to kill it during your workout. Moreover, this is insanely easy to make, which makes it all the more perfect.
Protein Smoothie
Now for a more traditional approach to a pre-workout snack: the protein smoothie. The added benefit it brings is that if you eat it 45 minutes before working out, you won't feel heavy and bloated while you're doing the movements. Plus, you can drink it while you're getting ready or commuting to your gym. To make it, use some almond milk, protein powder, and a mix of your favorite fruits. Mix it all together and there you go!
Yogurt with Almonds and Fruit
This can also be a delicious option for who is looking to get the right amount of energy to maximize their results at the gym. To put this one together, simply grab some Greek yogurt, add some almonds on top (other nuts and seeds can work, too), and complete it with your favorite fruits or dried fruit. By the end of it, you'll feel ready to beat your personal best.
Now, let's look at the other side of the coin. You've been training, at the gym, or doing some form of physical activity for a while now, and you truly gave it your all. The time has come to rest and have something to eat.
It's extremely important that you eat well after you've worked out, as a healthy meal with tons of protein will give you the right nutrients to rebuild your muscles and help your body recover.
If you're strapped for ideas on what those easy, protein-filled post-workout meals can be, continue reading.
Protein Pancakes
Once again, this may seem too good to be true, especially since pancakes sound like more of a dessert than a healthy post-workout meal. However, when done right with good, high quality ingredients, a pancake can deliver what you need to help your body bounce back.
To make these delicious protein pancakes, you will need coconut flour, protein powder, almond milk, eggs, and baking soda to fluff them up.
Turkey Sandwich
What can be more perfect than a sandwich? Not only is it delicious and easy to do, but when done right with nutritious ingredients, it can be a well-balanced meal that will help your muscles recuperate effectively after a hard training session. A whole wheat bread, a lean meat such as turkey, a little bit of hummus, and a lot of veggies (tomato, lettuce, jalapeño, and more), is all you will need to make a post-workout snack that will fill your tummy and your protein needs.
Scrambled Eggs and Whole Wheat Toast
Last but not least, let's keep it as simple as we can for when you're really tired after your workout. The last suggestion is for scrambled eggs and whole wheat toast. The eggs will give you the protein you need for your muscles and the whole wheat toast will give you the carbs you require for life. To add flavor, you can use salt, pepper, tomatoes, turkey ham, bell pepper, mushrooms, or other ingredients.