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Ditch pre-workout supplements for these 5 foods that offer a natural energy boost

Pre-workout supplements like protein shakes might be the trend but they cause you more harm than you can imagine. Try these natural pre-workout foods instead.
A bowl of fruits
Passion fruit is great optioon for a nutritious snack as well. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Sonakshi Kohli Published: 28 Apr 2020, 01:32 pm IST
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Hitting the gym with full force and a good energy level is extremely important in order to make the most of your workout without feeling exhausted or fatigued.

We all have days when we come back from work/wrapping up the day’s errands and end up too exhausted to be working out. Even if we somehow manage to drag our exhausted selves to the gym, running on the treadmill or lifting weights seem tougher than climbing Everest, because, hello! What do you expect after a tiring day, anyway?

Enter pre-workout supplements and energy drinks that come with the said promise of “giving you wings”, enabling you to lift heavier weights, running faster, working out more efficiently, and the unsaid promise of getting you addicted to them, upping your heart rate and blood pressure, giving you a headache, and worse still—causing diarrhea, dehydration and insomnia.

Damn! How, then, does a person work out after a tiring day without having to rely on these harmful substances? Well, as usual, the answer lies in going back to nature. 

Here are five natural pre-workout foods to give you that energy kick minus the side-effects:

1.  Banana: Bananas have been a favourite pre-workout meal for many athletes and workout enthusiasts, and rightly so. As per a study conducted at the Appalachian State University, this fruit is at par with energy drinks when it comes to giving an instant energy spike to the body. 

With a healthy blend of natural sugars and the nutritional value of nutrients such as magnesium, fiber, potassium, and vitamin B6, bananas are all you need to hit the gym in full swing. 

2. Apple: Surely, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But did you know that an apple before a workout can keep exhaustion at bay as well?

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Apple
Apples are truly the superfoods we can chomp on just before hitting the gym! Image Courtesy: Shutterstock

According to a study conducted at Cornell University, apples provide an energy boost similar to that of coffee, thanks to their high natural-sugar content giving you an energy boost instantly. This definitely makes apples the healthier pre-workout alternative compared to the caffeine-rich coffee.  

3. Oatmeal: According to several studies including one published in the Harvard Health Publishing, oats are a rich source of fiber and take time to digest. This means that they release blood sugar into your bloodstream gradually and can thus, keep you energetic for a longer span of time. 

Oatmeal
A bowl of oatmeal can give you all the energy you need for your workouts. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

It’s best to consume them an hour or two prior to your workout so that you don’t turn up with a full belly, but stay energetic. 

Also, Read: This nutritious oats kheer recipe will satisfy all your winter dessert cravings

4. Peanut butter sandwich: While the peanut butter can give you a great dose of protein before you hit the squat rack, the carbohydrates from the bread can raise your energy levels, making you feel more than ready to lift heavy and run faster.

peanut butter
Peanut butter–making pre-workouts delicious since forever. GIF courtesy: Super Simple via Giphy

 Consuming half a sandwich around twenty to thirty minutes before your workout can help you a great deal. 

Also, Read: Peanut butter is the tasty way to lose weight. Here’s why

5. Yogurt: This gut-friendly option is super-healthy and contains carbohydrates in the form of simple sugars, such as lactose and galactose. Since these sugars don’t take much time to break down, they can provide an energy-boost almost instantly after their consumption.

pre-workout foods
Anti-inflammatory foods like yogurt can give all the pre-workout energy you need. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Products being sold in the market may show quick results but in the longer run, they will harm you in one way or another. Hence, when it comes to your body, it is best to stick to everything natural and preserve your health.

Hope this was incentive enough for you guys to quit those unhealthy drinks and try these natural pre-workout foods instead!

 

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About the Author

Twenty kilos down and struggling to maintain the weight loss by preaching healthy eating, while eating unhealthy every now and then. ...Read More

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