The most important routine all athletes should create for themselves is having a list of foods that work best for them before a workout, practice, or competition. Having a good pre-workout meal could determine whether you excel or run out of energy halfway through. Food is the fuel that keeps your body going when you only have a little more left to give. It provides that extra boost of nutrients to get you through that last race, ending, or match. If you are searching for some yummy protein to indulge in before a workout, you stumbled to the right place.
Why Fuel Before Practice?
According to Dietician Jessica Jones from the Food Heaven Podcast, it is essential to fuel your body for the work that you are asking it to do. In other words, as athletes, we must eat the necessary foods for what's on their schedule for the day, whether it's practice, conditioning, or a competition. Your meal before a game looks different than the one you would eat before or after practice and depending on your sport, your food consumption may vary as well. For example, a soccer player who actively runs for 90 minutes will fuel differently than a wrestler who needs to cut or bulk up before a match. Nutrition is not a one size fits all kind of deal.
Related: 2 Satisfying Snacks for Athletes on the Go
Find What Fuels You!
The key to fueling is finding what works for your situation. You do this by trying out different snacks and gauging which ones give you the best energy boosts for the job at hand. One component Jessica recommends is getting at least something in your stomach–this could be a small bite of your favorite fruit, a sandwich, or even half of a protein bar. On the other hand, she advises against not eating at all. Athletes tend to skip pre-workout meals to avoid an upset stomach, despite needing those fueling agents. Yet, we must try to eat something and work our way up.
Think of it as trial and error–if it doesn't work out for you, try something different. Better to be fueled than deprived of the elements that keep your body in motion.
Related: Fueling Your Body for Performance | 2aDays
Tasty Homemade Protein Bars
When you are looking to feed your body to sustain an intense workout, one food that comes in handy on the go is protein bars. They provide that quick energy needed before you compete.
So if you find that protein bars are the right pre-workout snack for you, here are recipes for 8 homemade bars you can make in your kitchen. Eat up!
- Whey Protein Energy Bars | Allrecipes
- High-Fiber, High-Protein Breakfast Bars Recipe | Allrecipes
- Chocolate Protein Balls Recipe | Allrecipes
- High-Protein Energy Bites Recipe | Allrecipes
- Chuck's Protein Bars Recipe | Allrecipes
- Whey, Honey, And Peanut Butter Protein Bar Recipe | Muscle & Strength
- Banana Chocolate Chip Protein Bars Recipe | Healthy Recipes | Muscle & Strength
- Chocolate And Peanut Butter Protein Bars Recipe | Muscle & Strength
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* Originally published on August 23, 2022, by Daesha Harper
