Food is fuel — what and when you eat can significantly influence your performance during a workout. Rikki Keen, senior sports dietitian for the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee, explains to TODAY.com , “We are what we eat .
.. Nutrients provide the tools to rebuild, repair and reload muscles, and they also are vital to keep many systems (immune, circulation, nervous, skeletal, digestive, respiratory, reproductive) functioning for peak performance.
” Carbohydrates are the body’s primary fuel source for exercise. Experts insist it’s always wise to consume some carbs before a workout, regardless of the exercise you’ll be engaging in. Even if you’re taking a short walk, a pre-workout snack will give you the fuel to power through.
While a pre-workout fuel-up should always contain carbs, the timing of your meal determines what and how much you should be eating. On TODAY.com, New York City dietitian Natalie Rizzo shared her suggestions for snacks one to three hours before a workout.
2-3 hours before a workout If you have a few hours before your workout, Rizzo suggested eating a well-balanced meal complete with carbs, protein and a little bit of fat. One women’s weight loss coach recommended batch-cooking proteins like chicken thighs, steak and shrimp. Having these on hand helps her mix and match with grains and greens to ensure her meals both satiate and lay the groundwork for a fully fueled sweat session.
1-2 hours before a workout In this pre-workout window, you sho.
