The General perception is that going to the gym and lifting heavy is the sole secret to good health. The truth is that what you eat is more important than how much you lift. Fitness is not just about not skipping your gym sessions or staying away from junk food. It means consuming a balanced diet with the right proportion of every essential nutrient. If you suppose your body to be an engine, it needs to be refuelled over and over in order to keep functioning smoothly. Just like that, you need to eat the right Pre-Workout meals and post-workout meal your gym session for better performance and faster recovery.
A pre-Workout meal is one of the most important parts of the fitness cycle. It provides you with the energy to hit those weights with full intensity and strength. Your intensity at the gym depends on the type of food you eat. It is very important to remain energised at the gym in order to do the exercises perfectly. Carbs are the primary source of energy and unlike fats, they are easy to break down and digest. They are also the primary fuel for the brain. While it is difficult to digest heavy meals during the workout, there are several alternative snacks that can help you in remaining energised without overloading your stomach.
- Banana Smoothie: Banana is one of the most useful and easily available pre-workout food items that can fill you with energy. Fruits in general, are one of the best options to satisfy your hunger before going to the gym. They contain natural sugar and are easy to digest. Apart from giving us energy, they also prevent us from getting dehydrated during an intense workout session. You can also mix peanut butter and flax seeds in the smoothie to make it richer in nutrients.
- Oatmeal: Oatmeal is a favourite snack for fitness lovers. They are rich in protein, taste good and are easy to digest. There are several flavours of oatmeal available in the market and it is a snack that can be made in a very less time. Add almonds, cashews and blueberries to make the snack tastier. It also improves the nutritional value of the snack. You can also add a scoop of protein powder to it.
- Apple with Almond Butter: An apple a day not just keeps the doctor away. It also keeps you energised. Apple and almond butter together are an awesome and energy-packed combination. Apple contains fibres while almond butter has protein and monounsaturated fats. It will curb hunger and give you the necessary nutrients at the same time.
- Granola Bars: You can make granola bars at or simply purchase them from the market. Granola bars are easy to make and making them at home is preferable. Grab a mix of different dry fruits including almond, cashews and raisins. Use ancient grains, seeds and nuts. Instead of sugar, use jaggery as a sweetener to make it more healthy. Grab one bar before you hit the gym and feel the energy for hours. It is not just healthy but also a time-saving way of consuming essential nutrients.
- Peanut Butter-Bread with jelly: Peanut butter is a very common ingredient to be used by fitness enthusiasts. Bread contains carbs, peanut butter has protein and carbs. Grab two slices of bread, and spread a spoonful of peanut butter over it. Top the spread with a fruit jam or jelly to make it tastier and get the essence of fruits. Stick the two slices together just like a sandwich. This easy-to-make sandwich is one of the healthiest ways of remaining energised.
- Yoghurt: As uncommon as it may seem, yoghurt is one of the most important dairy products that contains ample amounts of calcium and protein. It also has limited amounts of natural sugar and is very easy to digest. It can really be a good idea to eat a small bowl of curd before hitting the gym for an intense session of workout. You can also add different dry fruits to eat to increase its nutritional value.
- Brown rice with paneer: Just like yoghurt, paneer is a very useful dairy product stuffed with ample quantities of protein and carbs. Brown rice is a good source of carbs and fibres and is absorbed slowly by the body. Mixing brown rice and paneer together is a good option as it suffices all your nutrient requirements and since it is absorbed slowly, your energy levels remain high throughout the workout session.
- Broccoli and Pepper Omelettes: Omelettes are everyone’s favourite and since they are made from eggs, they have proteins and carbs in rich amounts. They can be made healthier by topping them with healthy vegetables like broccoli. Top the omelette with pepper and if you want to keep calorie intake minimum, go for baking instead of making the omelettes in oil.