As has been noted on these pages repeatedly, there are numerous factors which go into preparing yourself for a workout.
Be it the correct equipment (seriously, invest in running shoes) or the amount of sleep and/or recovery you afford yourself, there are plenty of things you can do to set yourself up to achieve your goals — and one of the most important (and overlooked) elements is giving yourself the correct nutrition before your workout.
Of course, meal prep can differ from person to person depending on a multitude of factors such as dietary requirements or allergies but below are five examples you can adopt or modify to suit to your needs.
Wholegrain toast with peanut butter and banana
Bananas are a great resource, especially for runners. They are packed full of carbs, natural sugars and potassium — something which is key to help prevent cramps after a run while peanut (or almond) butter will equalise your blood sugar levels.
Chicken, steamed veg and rice
A perfect blend of complex carbs and protein, while the fibre in the veg will aid digestion. The type of chicken you select will matter too but it’s largely a personal preference — but remember that darker chicken meat has more of the good fat that you might need.
Oatmeal and protein powder
The carbs in oatmeal break down slowly in your body which will lead to a more prolonged energy boost. A scoop of protein powder can be added, as well as berries such as the humble blueberry which contains precious anti-oxidants.
Scrambled eggs and avocado
Whack this on some wholegrain toast and you will set yourself up for the day. Avocado toast has developed something of a reputation as being an example of the preferred meal for a lot of people before a trip to the gym — and it is because this meal will give you a perfect mix of amino acids and healthy fats.
Protein shake
The old classic. A healthy shake with protein powder and a selection of fruit and veg (spinach is amazing for this) will help you gather some fast-disgesting carbs as well as a fix of healthy fats and, of course, protein.
