This is the best thing to eat before you exercise

Food and exercise go hand in hand. After all, the energy you need for exercise comes from your food. Whether you work out every day of the week or hit the gym once a week, it is always important to eat well before you exercise, just like after exercising. But which food before exercise will help you train harder? Where do you get the most energy from? In this blog we cover the sports nutrition we recommend.

WHEN TO EAT BEFORE EXERCISE?

Eating before you exercise is good, especially to get an extra dose of energy. Eating too early is not good, because you will have lost that energy again before you start. But eating too close to your workout is not good either, because exercising on a full stomach is not pleasant. Depending on your workout, it is generally recommended to eat 2-4 hours before exercising. It is important that the meal you eat before exercising contains enough protein, carbs and (a little) fat. Carbs provide enough energy, and protein helps your recovery go faster. The little bit of fat you eat gives you energy for the long term.

Say you don't have the whole day to prepare for your workout when it comes to food. Then a light snack is also an option. You can eat this about half an hour to an hour beforehand. Do make sure this snack contains the right nutrients. You can also choose a delicious, simple SportMeals meal. A ready-made sports meal with exactly the right amount of nutrients you need to perform at your best during your workout.

GOOD FOOD BEFORE EXERCISE

Now that we know when to eat before exercise and which nutrients your meals should contain, it's time to look at which food is best. A nutritious pre-workout meal will help you feel better and perform better. The meals you eat before exercise depend on the sport you do.

BEST FOOD FOR STRENGTH TRAINING

When you eat a meal before heading into the gym, it needs to provide a number of nutrients. For example, you should eat complex carbs. These carbs are broken down slowly, so your energy supply is spread out. Protein and healthy fats are also important. They help your muscles recover and grow, and give you a bit of extra energy. Examples of good meals are:

• A wholemeal sandwich with chicken breast and avocado

• Oats with almond butter and berries

• Greek yoghurt with fruit and nuts

• A salad with chicken, nuts and mixed vegetables

BEST FOOD FOR FIELD AND BALL SPORTS

Field and ball sports, such as football, hockey and tennis, are generally intensive sports in which you use a lot of energy. You also need a lot of explosiveness for them. So don't eat a meal that sits too heavy on your stomach, but do eat a meal with good nutrients. Besides all the important nutrients for exercise, you also need to drink enough water to stay hydrated. The following meals are also good for you when you are going to exercise:

• Chicken breast with sweet potato and vegetables

• Wholemeal pasta with tuna and salad

• A smoothie with fruit, spinach, protein powder and (almond) milk

There are many more options for food you can eat before you exercise. Every sport is different, but what stays the same is that the nutritional values of the meal need to be good. Always make sure your meal contains enough carbs, protein and healthy fats.

SPORTMEALS GIVES YOU A HAND

Not much of a fan of cooking? Or is your life so busy that you don't have time to prepare a decent meal? Then SportMeals is here to help you out. The ready-made meals from SportMeals are packed with all the nutrients you need to exercise. For example, we have delicious chicken meals packed with protein, or a healthy fish meal with healthy fats. Check quickly which meal suits you!