Are you exercising to lose weight, improve your flexibility, boost your mood or get stronger muscles? If you are trying to achieve your goals with cross-training, yoga or pilates, what you eat before your class can either optimise or destruct your performance.
There are some foods that will leave you feeling heavy and lethargic for your workout. These could lead to stomach cramps, which is not fun at all.
Here are 5 foods to avoid before your workout.
- FRIED AND GREASY FOODS
Foods high in fat like fries, burgers and pizza take a long time to digest and can cause bloating, cramping and diarrhea. This high load on your digestive system will also have you feeling tired and lethargic. Choose low fat foods like wholegrain carbs, fruit and veggies.
- FIZZY DRINKS
Carbonated beverages are full of air which causes your stomach to expand with gas. This leads to bloating and discomfort, making your workout extremely uncomfortable so always opt for water instead.
- FRUIT JUICE
Fruit juice is highly concentrated in fructose. Fructose digests slowly which means it can cause stomach cramps during your workout and make you feel very uncomfortable. Choose a whole piece of fruit like a banana with a few sips of water to energise you instead.
- DESSERT
Desserts like doughnuts, pastries, chocolate and ice cream are high in fats like butter, vegetable shortening and cream which take a long time to digest. Foods like these won’t assist you in getting the most out of your workout, even stretching could be uncomfortable. Try one of our yummy energy balls instead.
Source:livelifegetactive.com
