If you plan to exercise for 45 minutes or less and you’ve eaten a nutritious meal within the last two, even three hours, there’s no reason you need a pre-workout snack.
However, if you haven’t eaten, you’ll want to energize your workout. Just make it appropriate for the intensity of the exercise. These snacks are some of the best go-tos.
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Walking
Reach for: Pear plus 1/2 once of cheese
Why? Low-intensity exercise requires a light snack. Keep it around 100 calories.
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Yoga
Reach for: 1 cup low-fat milk plus 2 ounces of turkey
Why? To avoid bloating when trying to do downward-facing dog, grab a snack of 200 calories of easily digested carbs and protein. Eat at least one hour before your class.
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Strength Training
Reach for: 1 cup Greek yogurt plus 1 medium banana
Why? Shoot for 250 calories’ worth of muscle-building protein and energizing carbs at least 30 minutes prior to lifting and you’ll jump-start recovery.
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Running
Reach for: 1/2 whole-wheat bagel plus 1 tablespoon of almond butter
Why? If you’re learning how to start running, keep in mind that heavy foods will slow you down and slosh around. Aim for 300 calories of roughly 30 grams of carbs for fast-burning energy no later than an hour before your run.
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This story was adapted from “Women’s Health Body Clock Diet” and originally appeared on Rodale Wellness
