Question:
I wake up, grab a cup of coffee, take a few little bites of muffin and I’m off to the gym for a couple of hours. Now, I’m reading countless articles on proper nutrition to work out and please make it simple – what should I eat before a workout? (Shelly, Greenvale)
Answer:
Pre-exercise nutrition is one of the most popular questions I have to address as a personal trainer.
The Whys:
- Prevent hyperglycemia, low blood sugar
- Fuel the muscles to work hard
- Wake up that mental connection – know that your body is well fueled and ready to get busy!
The Whats: - Pre-Workout: High carb and easily digestible food like: fruit, whole wheat/ multigrain bread, oat meal, energy bar or orange juice
- Avoid fats, fast foods, sugary and white processed foods like donuts, chips, candy bars and proteins that take a long time to digest.
- Take into consideration last night’s dinner; keep it balanced consisting of protein, complex carbs and healthy fat like olive oil, in other words, nutritionally dense.
- Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated during your exercise session
- Cars need gas to run and so does the body. Keep it high-test!
Listen to Frank Mikulka’s Weekly Fitness Tips every week on Debbie Mandel’s Turn On Your Inner Light Show every Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 7:30 pm on WGBB 1240AM. Also available on www.turnonyourinnerlight.com/page3.html
