Quick and Easy Pre-Workout Snacks

When I first began exercising early in the morning, I would nearly always exercise on an empty stomach. There was no real reason for that, aside from the fact that I did not want to get up any earlier in order to have time to eat something and also allow it to digest a little before I began my workout. Different studies have actually shown that working out on an empty stomach can have a negative effect on your workout, with the calories you burn coming from your muscles instead of your fat stores. Working out on an empty stomach has also been shown to tire you out more quickly than if you had a small snack beforehand.

The best kind of snack to have before a workout is one with a mixture of carbohydrates and protein, with an emphasis on carbohydrates. This is because carbs offer the body the quick burst of energy that you will need to power through a workout. Here are a few snack ideas to try before your workout!

1. A serving of cheese (I usually just use string cheese) with some crackers
2. Hummus and veggies or you could try bagel chips/pretzels
3. A slice of toast with nut butter
4. Half a banana with some yogurt (save the rest of the banana for after your workout!)
5. Some whole-grain cereal such as Kashi GoLean
6. Brown rice mixed with some veggies
7. A serving of oatmeal mixed with nut butter, sort of a modified version of this recipe.
8. A smoothie made with some mixed fruit, half a banana, almond milk, and ice

I could always use more snack ideas, if you have any share them in the comments!