We all have our own personal goals and reasoning behind why we attend the gym whether it’s to lose weight, be social, want a healthier lifestyle, or to become the next top athlete. When trying to achieve your goals, a very important thing that everyone needs to know is how to correctly fuel your body to make the most of each gym session.
Below, you will find four nutritional recommendations to consider adding to your pre-workout meal that will be beneficial to you:
Bananas
Nutritional benefits:
Potassium: supports blood pressure, cardiovascular health, bone strength and muscle strength.
Magnesium: assists with muscle and nerve function, regulation of normal heart rhythm, and maintenance of healthy bones.
A banana can with help replenish lost minerals while providing natural sugars to help fuel your workout. Alternatively, you can try adding a serving of peanut butter to this for added protein.
Berries, Grapes and Oranges
Nutritional benefits:
Vitamins: These are organic substances made by plants and animals, which are later consumed by us. There is a total of 13 vitamins: vitamins A, C, D, E, K and the B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, blotin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folate).
Minerals: These are lifeless substances that are not made by living things. These are naturally found in soil and water, which are absorbed by plants and are then eaten by people and other animals. Mineral examples are: Iron, calcium and potassium.
Water: 50-60% of body weight and around 75% volume. It does not contain any calories, fats, protein, or carbs. Although it is essential for it to be replenished as we constantly loose fluids through sweating and breathing etc.
When your body is hydrated, you will receive a quick boost of energy. For more protein, you can match this with a food like yogurt.
Nuts
Nutritional benefits:
Fats: These are essential to absurd fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E and K. The human body uses this for energy, hormones, signal hunger, regulate body temperature, and construct cell membranes.
Protein: Proteins are large compounds made by combining smaller amino acids. Proteins in the diet are known as macronutrients and contribute energy (calories) to the body.
Nuts will give your body a source of sustained energy for your workouts. If you pair nuts with fresh or dried fruit, you will receive a healthy dose of carbohydrates. As high-fat foods can slow down digestion and make foods sit in your stomach for longer, it is a must to test these options out first, especially if you have a workout coming up quickly.
Nut Butter
Nutritional benefits:
Fats: These are essential to absurd fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E and K. The human body uses this for energy, hormones, signal hunger, regulate body temperature, and construct cell membranes.
Protein: Proteins are large compounds made by combining smaller amino acids. Proteins in the diet are known as macronutrients and contribute energy (calories) to the body.
A huge positive of nut butter is that many supermarkets now sell peanut butter in single use sachets, which makes it easy to store in your gym bags. However, you can also buy nut butter, such as almond butter and soy butter, in jars. For a protein and carbohydrate boost, nut butter can be spread on many foods, such as bananas and whole-grain crackers.
