Brian Danley Fitness​​
​
  • Welcome
  • About
    • Mission & Philosophy
    • What to Expect
    • Credentials
    • Hours
    • Rates
    • Policies
    • FAQs
  • Services
    • Home Personal Training
    • Fitness & Postural Assessment
    • Online Fitness & Nutrition Coaching
    • Physique >
      • Lose Bodyfat
      • Gain Muscle
    • Performance >
      • Gain Strength
      • Sport-Specific Training
    • Special Populations >
      • Senior Fitness
      • Injury Rehab
    • Gain Flexibility
  • Testimonials
  • Get Started!
    • Why you should sign up
    • Assessment >
      • Assessment Form >
        • Assessment Scores >
          • Readiness to change
          • Kitchen makeover
          • Social support
  • Resources
    • Weight-Loss Tips
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Health Tips
    • Exercise Tips
    • Recommended Tools
    • Research Papers
  • Blog
    • Newsletter
  • Contact
    • Feedback
  • Search

What should you avoid eating before your workout?

5/30/2013

Comments

 
Picture
     The foods you eat prior to exercising can impact your workout.  If you eat the wrong foods, the quality of your training will suffer because you'll feel lethargic.  With that being said, here are some foods you should definitely not eat before your workout:  
  • Sugary foods (e.g., donuts, candy bar, soda, etc.)--these high-glycemic foods will inevitably cause an "energy crash" during your workout.  Better to eat these kinds of foods after your workout if at all.
  • Fast food--these foods tend to be high in fat which can take up to four hours for your body to digest, making you feel nauseous because the fatty food will sit in your stomach while you workout
  • No food at all--this will certainly make you feel lethargic and weak since glycogen (the energy fuel for your muscles) will be in short supply 
  • Energy drink--this is not a wise choice since the amount of sugar within the drink will cause an "energy crash" during your workout.  Better to drink this after your workout if at all.

     So what should you eat before your workouts?  Go for the low-glycemic foods which won't cause an energy dip during your workout and are relatively easy to digest.  Try a piece of fruit (e.g., apple, orange, banana, grapefruit, etc.), a whey protein shake, black beans, brown rice, quinoa, raisins, oatmeal, sweet potato, whole-wheat bread, whole-wheat tortilla or whole-wheat pasta.  You should eat these kinds of foods within an hour of your workout.  Keep in mind that the most readily available macronutrient within your body will be used for energy during your workout.  This means that the macronutrient content of your most recent meal before your workout will affect what substrates are used during exercise.  For example, if you ate mostly carbs before your workout, than more carbs will be burned as fuel for energy during your workout.  This is important because if you're someone who wants to lose bodyfat it would be better to avoid consuming a pre-workout drink containing simple carbs.  The reason for this is because the simple carbs would be preferentially used by your body for energy rather than your stored bodyfat.  

BOTTOM LINE:  If you're trying to lose bodyfat, the worst thing for you to do is to drink an energy drink before your workout.  The sugar in the drink will be used for energy rather than any stored fat from your body.  Instead, drink plenty of water before, during and after your workout.  If you're trying to gain muscle mass, then it is okay to consume an energy drink before your workout for the quick energy source but be sure to eat a low-glycemic food beforehand to avoid "crashing" during your workout.  


Brian Danley, CFT
"Motivation is what gets you started.  Habit is what keeps you going."

408-688-1586 (cell)
briandanleyfitness.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandanleyfitness
https://www.facebook.com/BrianDanleyFitness

Brian Danley, CFT "Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going." 408-688-1586 (cell) briandanleyfitness.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandanleyfitness https://www.facebook.com/BrianDanleyFitness
Comments

    Subscribe to get the latest blog content:

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    I'm a personal trainer who loves to help others fulfill their health and fitness goals. I consider myself a bodybuilder in that I live the lifestyle of eating healthy food, working out regularly, and sculpting my body. 

    Linkedin Profile

    Categories

    All
    6 Pack Abs
    Arthritis
    Asthma
    Back Pain
    Breathing
    Caffeine
    Cardio
    Cholesterol
    Coffee
    Coordination
    Core Exercises
    Crossfit
    Diabetes
    Electrolytes
    Endurance Training
    "Energy" Drinks
    Energy Systems
    Exercise
    Exercise Guidelines
    Exercise Myths
    Fiber
    Fitness
    Flexibility
    Gain Bodyweight
    Gain Strength
    Gym Idiocies
    Healthy Habits
    Heart Disease
    Heat Injuries
    "HFCS"
    "HIIT"
    Hormones
    Hydration
    Hypertension
    Injury Prevention
    Injury Treatment
    Kettlebells
    Knee Pain
    Lose Bodyfat
    Lose Bodyweight
    Massage
    Mass Training
    Medications
    Metabolism
    Mind Muscle Link
    Motivation Tips
    Muscle Actions
    Muscle Cramps
    Muscle Fiber Types
    Muscle Mass
    Muscle Soreness
    Muscle Strength
    Muscle Toning
    Nutrient Timing
    Nutrition
    Nutrition Myths
    Obesity
    Older Adults
    Osteoarthritis
    Osteoporosis
    Overtraining
    Overweight
    Pain Management
    Physiological Responses
    Planes Of Motion
    Posture
    Power Training
    Pregnancy
    Processed Food
    Psychology
    Quick Workout
    Range Of Motion
    Rest Periods
    Running
    Sarcopenia
    Sedentary Behavior
    Set Durations
    Setting Goals
    Sickness
    Sleep
    Smart Shopping Strategies
    Stability Ball
    Steroids
    Strength Training
    Stress
    Stretching
    Stroke
    Sugar
    Supplements
    Testosterone
    Training Principles
    Vegetarian Diet
    Weight Training
    Whey Protein
    Workout Mistakes
    Yoga

    Archives

    July 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011

Brian Danley Fitness
2333 Portola Drive, #24
Santa Cruz, CA  95062
​408.688.1586

Mon-Fri:  6am-8pm
Sat, Sun:  9am-5pm

Email Me