Are you looking to power through your next workout like a winner? The secret isn’t only how intense you train, but what you eat has a key role in this process. The proper foods can give you the energy to break your personal records, run faster, and feel unstoppable!

Whether you are hitting the gym, the field, or only wanting to stay active, fueling your body with the right foods and nutrients will help a lot. Let’s take a look and break down the best pre-workout snacks to help boost your performance and recover like you never have before!

1. Banana

This is easily nature’s most perfect pre-workout snack! Eating a banana before your workout session gives you many advantages. They are rich in nutrients like easily digestible carbohydrates and potassium.

Potassium is a vital mineral found in bananas, and it is an ingredient which can help you promote muscle function and prevent muscle cramps, especially when you are going into an intense workout. Bananas can also slow down the absorption of sugar in your bloodstream. If you eat a banana before your workout, it for sure will help your muscles work smoothly!

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2. Apple

Apples are another fruit that will help you boost your energy before your next workout. It also has many advantages, like being able to improve your exercise experience, and it delivers fibers, minerals, and vitamins to your body which support overall health and can help reduce inflammation and muscle damages caused by exercise. They have a high content of water, and can help you stay hydrated for your workout. Apples are another fruit energizing snack and it will help you power through your workout!

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3. Eggs

Now, this is the powerhouse of all pre-workout foods! Eggs are packed with high-quality protein, which can help build and repair your muscles. Despite them not being able to provide as many quick-digesting carbs as fruits, they offer a steady source of energy to keep you strong during your entire workout!

Eggs also have vital nutrients like B vitamins, which can help your body form food into fuel, and also healthy fats that can keep you feeling full and determined. Plus, eggs can be prepared in many ways: fried, boiled, scrambled, omelets, baked, sunny side up, salad, etc. Whatever you prefer! Just make sure you eat the eggs at least one hour before your workout in order for digestion.

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4. Avocados

This green fruit is another fantastic pre-workout fruit! Why? Avocados are filled with healthy fats which provide long-lasting energy, which helps you power through even the most difficult workouts.

Alike bananas, they also contain potassium (even more than bananas!) and magnesium, which are important electrolytes that help regulate muscle injuries, makes your muscles function better, and prevent cramps. Avocados also have fibers, which help keep steady blood sugar levels so your energy doesn’t crash mid-workout. You can eat your avocados by mixing them in smoothies, putting some onto a whole-grain toast, and even guacamole!

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5. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a great pre-workout food because it’s full of slow-releasing carbs that will give you steady energy without crashing during your workout. It contains fiber, which keeps you full, and you won’t feel distracted by hunger. Also, it is rich in proteins which will help fix your muscles, and it’s also filled with B vitamins—just like eggs—which turns food into energy.

Oatmeals have a low glycemic index, which means it won’t spike your blood sugar. It is made with water or milk, so it will keep you hydrated while you work out! Make sure to make it more healthy, you use low-fat milk. If you want, you can add fruits (cranberries, bananas, apples, strawberries), nuts, and even protein (powder or peanut butter) to delight your body with more nutrients—aside from the ones oatmeal already has—before you hit that gym!

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6. Smoothie

A smoothie is undoubtedly a spectacular pre-workout option as well! They are quick to make, easy to digest, and packed with nutrients which will fuel your body. They can provide a balance of carbohydrates, protein, potassium, fibers, B vitamins, healthy fats, etc.

It all depends on what you decide to put on your smoothie! They can provide you with the energy you need without feeling weighed down. The carbs from bananas and berries will give you a fast energy boost, and will prevent cramps, while protein (can be from ingredients like Greek yogurt, protein powder, peanut butter, etc.) helps repair muscles and keeps you from feeling full. Smoothies can really support your overall health and energy levels. They are very customizable, which makes it fun to make! It doesn’t matter if you take it hours before or right before you go work out, smoothies will provide you with all the energy needed to perform at your highest level possible.

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7. Greek Yogurt

Lastly, Greek yogurt is also a great food product you can eat before your workout! But why Greek yogurt and not regular yogurt? Greek yogurt is higher in protein, and contains little to no sugar and less carbs compared to regular yogurt.

It is relatively thicker and has a more creamier texture than regular yogurt. The protein, like all the others, can help with repairing your muscles. Greek yogurt is rich in probiotics, which supports gut health and digestion, making sure your body is absorbing nutrients efficiently. It also contains healthy fats to keep you fueled through your session. If you’d like to make it taste better, while still keeping it healthy, drizzle some honey over it or even add in some fruit! It’s a very balanced snack which will give you the energy to crush your workout!

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At the end of the day…

When you fuel your body with the right foods before a workout, it can make all the difference in the world in terms of performance, health, and how you feel. Choosing these nutrient-packed foods—bananas, apples, eggs, avocados, oatmeal, smoothies, and Greek yogurt—feeds your body potassium, protein, fibers, vitamins, probiotics, and healthy fats, while also giving your muscles the energy they need to power through their exercise routine. So, the next time you’re gearing up to go work out, remember: what you eat does matter!!! With these foods in your arsenal, you will be fully prepared to destroy any obstacle in your way.