What to eat before a workout?

Tempted to skip breakfast before you workout? Don’t!

While it won’t hurt you, there are downsides. Exercising on an empty tummy can cause low blood sugar, which could lead to you feeling lightheaded, dizzy or shaky.

But surely not eating in the morning will aid weight loss? (If weight loss is your goal).

While some research has shown fasted exercise leads to fat burning the headlines you read are really just a headline. Delve deeper and most research has shown the biggest benefits of this are for those considered obese. And not your average tired mama who is up several times a night!

In addition, many studies have shown that ‘fasted exercise’ has very little impact on overall body composition.

“The body seems to respond to the increased morning fat burn, by compensating later in the day with a decrease. Over the course of 24 hours, it all seems to even out.” (Evidence Based Athlete). This is because usually the daily calorie consumption remains the same.

A study by a muscle physiology researcher and a professor of aging and health at the University of Texas concluded: “A light amount of food will help you get through the workout session more comfortably and with more energy.”

Personally, I always eat before I exercise. This doesn’t need to be a big meal. Even a simple slice of toast with a morning cup of tea or coffee can be enough.

Great pre- workout breakfasts include:

•Toast with nut butter

•Porridge

•Overnight oats

•A banana and natural yogurt

Even as a tired mum, if all you can manage is a couple of breakfast biscuits then that really is better than nothing.

Exercising later in the day? Some of great pre workout snacks include:

•An apple spread with peanut butter

•Malt loaf or a mini malt loaf bar

•A small slice of banana loaf

•A banana

•A slice of toast and nut butter (A good idea is to use toast as a huger test, when tempted to reach for the biscuits challenge yourself to have toast instead. Chances are, if you don’t want the toast, you are not really hungry!!)

Ultimately, what really makes the biggest difference to achieving your health and fitness goals is consistency. Not whether you eat before or after a workout.

#health #fitness #workout #goals