What Should I Eat 30 Minutes Before a Workout?
What Is a Pre-Workout Meal? a Pre-Workout Meal Is What It Sounds Like: the Food You Eat Before Hitting the Gym. the Main Purpose of This “Meal” Is to Prepare...
What is a Pre-Workout Meal?
A pre-workout meal is what it sounds like: the food you eat before hitting the gym. The main purpose of this “meal” is to prepare your body for intense exercise by giving it the energy and nutrients it needs to perform at its best.
For best results, focus on carbohydrates and protein. Carbohydrates are the body’s main energy source, while protein is needed for building and repairing muscle. Get the balance right and you’ll maximize performance and recovery.
The smart approach to pre-workout meals is to be prepared. Plan ahead and cook your meals in advance to guarantee you get all the nutrients you need to make sure you perform at your best.
For more advice, check out our guide to meal prep.
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Why Does Pre-Workout Nutrition Matter?
OK, now for some science. During exercise, the body burns through adenosine triphosphate (ATP) at a higher rate than usual. ATP is essentially the energy “currency” of cells—you literally can’t move a muscle without it.
Carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of ATP—the majority of energy produced by the body, especially during exercise, comes from stored or recently consumed carbohydrates.1
Other nutrients, like fats and amino acids, are sometimes used for energy under certain conditions.2
But carbohydrates are by far the best thing to consume if you want to fuel your body for a workout. This is because they reduce the body’s need to rely on energy from stored glycogen, increasing endurance.3
Marcus Vance is a cybersecurity auditor and technology writer dedicated to educating the public about online safety, data privacy regulations, enterprise security, and emerging cyber threats.
