Nutrition: Best Foods for Your Workout

The work that you put into training doesn’t always give the expected results. Most athletes agree that what you do in the kitchen effects what you get out of your workouts. Paying attention to what goes in your body will help you achieve how you want your body to respond.

Best Foods for Cutting Fat

You’ve intensified your workouts and increased your training schedule, but you still can’t lose those last 5 pounds, or look as trimmed as you hoped. If you are having trouble finding slimming results, try these foods.

Quinoa

If you haven’t heard of this grain, it’s time to get comfortable with it. Quinoa is a great replacement for rice and is high in protein and fiber. This super food helps fill you up while providing necessary nutrients for your day.

Dark Chocolate

Quite a controversial pick for this list, but dark chocolate in small amounts can help slow down your body from processing food. In addition to helping you feel full longer, dark chocolate is a natural antioxidant.

Broccoli

Otherwise known as little trees, this vegetable has an added bonus of lowering your risk of lung and colon cancer. Broccoli has few carbs, fats and calories, so if you are in need of a binge it’s best to binge on these veggies.

Chili Peppers

Spicy food lovers rejoice, because hot peppers help you burn fat and calories. Chili peppers not only help cut calories, they are also rich in fiber, which means you stay full for longer.

Best Pre Workout Snacks

Your pre-workout food should be all about packing your body with the fuel necessary to get you through a run without feeling hungry or losing all energy before you finish.

Oranges

If you are going for a short run and don’t want to throw off your diet before, oranges are a simple solution. Oranges contain few calories, and the vitamin C helps your muscles recover during your run. As an added bonus, they are easy to carry for when you are on the go.

Hummus

This is my personal favorite treat, because hummus is high in carbs and protein and a great dipping sauce for any vegetable. Seriously, hummus pairs well with almost any vegetable. Having a hummus treat before long runs will help you stave off hunger when you would normally feel like you are about to hit a wall.

Oatmeal

Looking for a way to feel full, without feeling like you need a nap after eating? Oatmeal is your best bet. Packed with whole grains, fiber, and iron, this quick treat seems to have it all. If you haven’t been able to stomach oatmeal because of texture, try adding more water to make it less lumpy, or less water to make it less runny. For longer runs, sprinkle your oatmeal with a little bit of cinnamon or sugar to help with fuel intake.

Post Workout

For your recovery food, you want to focus on proteins to help rebuild your muscles and carbs to help prevent injuries from training too hard.

Bananas

Bananas are high in carbs, and not to mention an easy on the go snack. They also help you feel full, so you can eat bananas before or after workouts. I recommend after, because the last thing I want to do is cook after a workout.

Tuna

Tuna is high in protein and with recent developments in packaging, easy to take on the go. If you have the time after your workout and want to add an extra bonus, tuna pairs well with avocadoes. Pairing with avocados also helps you receive your healthy fats for the day.

Hard-Boiled Eggs

It may be a no brainer, but hard-boiled eggs are packed with protein. Two hard-boiled eggs can help you receive the protein your body craves. If you choose not to eat yolks, four hard-boiled eggs without yolks will equal the same amount of protein in two full eggs. They are also easy to prep all at once, so you don’t have to stress about planning what to eat.

A Complete Meal

If your training takes every last second until dinner, you probably are craving a complete meal. Whole-wheat pasta and tomato sauce will be heaven to your body. This pair is loaded with carbs and vitamins, kick starting your way to recovery. Add some lean protein like turkey and your dinner is complete.

Clean-Up

Paying attention to what fuel you put into your body will help get the results you are looking for. Nutrition isn’t always easy to stay on track with, but it doesn’t have to taste like cardboard.

Happy Munching!