The Best Pre-Workout Snacks For Your Energy Needs

Do you ever run out of energy during a workout? If so, you’re in good company. Many people struggle to keep their energy levels up while exercising. This is especially true if they haven’t eaten in a while and their body requires more fuel than they have given it.

Fortunately, there are snacks you can eat right before a workout to boost your energy levels and make it easier to rock your workout. Here are some of the best pre-workout snacks to help you take your next sweat session up a notch.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is an excellent pre-workout snack because it’s easy for the body to digest and is full of fiber (which is known to release carbohydrates slowly). This means that instead of providing you with a quick but fleeting burst of energy, oatmeal provides you with sustained energy. Oatmeal also contains B vitamins, which are valued for their ability to convert carbohydrates into energy.

Banana With Almond Butter

Bananas with almond butter are not only delicious, but they’re also exceptional at providing energy before a workout. Bananas are little powerhouses of energy because they are full of carbohydrates and potassium. Carbohydrates are an important source of instant energy, while potassium helps to boost nerve and muscle function.

If you aren’t a fan of almond butter, no problem! Simply slice up that banana and add it to your oats with a little sprinkle of cinnamon. This concoction will not only help pump you up for your workout but will also help you control your blood sugar levels.

Nuts and Dried Fruits (Trail Mix)

There’s a good reason hikers are known for carrying trail mix around with them. Dried fruits are full of easily digestible carbohydrates, while nuts contain heart-healthy fats that may help boost the health of your cardiovascular system. Don’t be scared off by the fact that nuts are high in fats. These are the types of fats that are good for your body. Just enjoy them in moderation to avoid putting on extra pounds.

Fruit Smoothie

A fruit smoothie is not only delicious, but it may also help you have the best workout ever. When taken as a pre-workout snack, a smoothie can provide you with an impressive boost of energy. This comes from the many different carbs found in fruit smoothies. It also comes from the polyphenols in fruit, which are known antioxidants that reduce inflammation in the body and accelerate muscle recovery.

Many berries are known as “superfoods,” which simply means that they are high in disease-fighting nutrients. Adding superfoods to your diet may help improve your health and your overall energy levels so you can not only work out like a boss, but also tackle your life with greater vigor.

Apple With Peanut Butter

Apples contain carbohydrates and almonds contain healthy fat and protein. Combine the two and you have created a simple but effective pre-workout snack that will help improve your energy levels throughout your workout.

Water

OK, it’s not technically a snack, but water is an essential component of your body’s cells. If you don’t get enough of it before, during and after your workout, you’re likely to feel nauseous, light-headed, and too weak to get through your workout. You may lose as many as eight cups of water through perspiration while you work out, so make sure you replace lost liquids and keep your energy from waning by drinking water before and throughout your workout.

These snacks are all easy to make and don’t take much time to prepare. Give each of them a try over the next few days and pay attention to how your body feels afterward. You may discover that one or two of these snacks give you more of an energy boost than the others. Trial and error is the key to discovering the perfect pre-workout snack for your body’s needs.