{"id":167299,"date":"2021-03-04T02:00:46","date_gmt":"2021-03-04T10:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/?p=167299"},"modified":"2021-03-15T10:00:03","modified_gmt":"2021-03-15T17:00:03","slug":"best-pre-workout-snacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/best-pre-workout-snacks\/","title":{"rendered":"How Soon You Can Eat Before a Workout (Plus, the Best Snacks)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you\u2019re a recreational exerciser or an experienced athlete looking to enhance performance, proper nourishment is key. A consistent, nutritionally dense diet is the best way to ensure your body is always primed for exercise, but small, strategically balanced meals before a workout can give your body\u2019s efficiency a boost.<\/span><\/p>\n

First, a little science lesson: your body\u2019s primary source of fuel (in life, not just in exercise!) is glucose, which is stored primarily in the muscles and liver as glycogen. Secondary fuel sources include fat and,\u00a0<\/span>quite<\/span> rarely, protein. For short, high-intensity bouts of exercise, glycogen is the body\u2019s go-to fuel source, but glycogen stores are not unlimited, so for longer, moderate-intensity activities, the body will call on fat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you can, eating a light meal with good sources of carbohydrates, protein, and fats two to three hours before a workout may give you the most bang for your energy buck. If you\u2019re short on time or have a more delicate digestive system, that may not be realistic. You can try a small snack<\/span>\u00a0that leans more toward carbs but contains some protein; protein\u00a0<\/span>enhances the body\u2019s glycogen storage capacity and has a heavy hand in muscle repair, which is necessary to alleviate soreness and strengthen muscles!<\/span><\/p>\n

First, do you actually need a snack?<\/strong>
\n<\/span>Make sure you actually need<\/em> a snack! If you’re good about getting proper nutrition throughout the day, your body may have all it needs to propel you through an exercise session.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If you do, here’s how soon you can eat before a workout:
\n<\/strong>The closer you get to workout time, the smaller your meal should be. Eating less than 30 minutes before exercise can cause gastrointestinal issues, so it\u2019s best to get your fuel in outside the 30-minute window.\u00a0<\/span>Now, what you came here for…the snack recommendations!<\/span><\/p>\n

2-3 hours ahead of exercise:<\/strong><\/p>\n