7 Foods You Should Eat Before a Workout for Maximum Muscle Gain

Cardio is essential for burning fat and improving your heart health, but that’s not the only thing you need to focus on if you want to get toned. The muscles beneath your fat also need exercise to become more visible. In fact, strength training is just as important as cardio when it comes to reaching your fitness goals.

7 Foods You Should Eat Before a Workout for Maximum Muscle Gain

Greater muscle mass means faster metabolism, which helps you burn more fat even at rest. It also makes you appear more defined, improves performance in other activities like sports, and even increases your strength so that you can lift heavier objects and avoid injury in daily life.

The good news is that a single strength training session doesn’t require much prep work or special food preparation before hand. If you eat the right foods beforehand, the benefits are almost immediate – an added bonus of eating those foods regularly anyway!

What to Eat Before a Workout for Maximum Muscle Gain

The most important thing to remember is that you want to eat something easily digestible, low in fat, and low in sugar. That’s because you don’t want your stomach to be too full, but you also don’t want it to be too empty. You’re going to want to eat something that won’t weigh you down, but will give you energy to sustain a workout.

And while you might think that you want to eat something that’s high in protein, don’t do it too far in advance. Your body has a limited amount of time to digest proteins, so any meal you eat that contains protein should be eaten about two to three hours before your workout. That’s because it takes your body a certain amount of time to digest proteins. There’s one exception to that rule, though:

if you eat a protein-rich meal close to your workout, your body will use those proteins for fuel instead of targeting your fat stores for energy. You’ll actually become weaker and your workout will be less effective.

7 Proteins to Help You Build Muscles

Whey protein - Whey is one of the best sources of proteins that are easy to digest, making it an excellent choice for pre-workout eating. It’s also one of the most researched sports supplements out there, and has been shown to increase both muscle gain and fat loss. Casein protein - Casein is a slower-digesting protein that makes a great bedtime snack. It can help you sleep better and may help prevent age-related muscle loss.

It’s also associated with lower blood pressure, so is a great choice for those with high blood pressure. Eggs - Eggs are one of the best foods you can eat, whether you’re exercising or not! They’re loaded with nutrients and are a great source of protein. They’re also easy to digest, making them a great pre-workout meal. Pork - If you don’t eat eggs, pork is a great alternative.

It contains lots of B vitamins, is easy to digest, and is a great source of protein. Soy - Soy is a controversial food, with some experts claiming that it can be harmful if consumed too regularly. However, it’s also a fantastic protein source. Almonds - Almonds are a great pre-workout food because they’re easy to digest and are loaded with vitamins that help build muscle and recover from exercise.

6 Carbohydrates for Quicker Recovery

Carbohydrates are the number one source of energy for intense workouts, and they also help your body recover. So, if you want to get back in the gym as soon as possible, a pre-workout snack high in carbs is a must. Cereal - Cereal is one of the easiest high-carb snacks to make, and it’s also super inexpensive.

C

hoose a high-fiber cereal to get the most benefits from your snack. Nuts - Nuts are one of the best pre-workout snacks. They’re high in carbs, easy to digest, and full of healthy fats. They’re also a great source of protein, which helps you recover from exercise faster. Fruit - Choose a high-sugar fruit like grapes or bananas.

They’re easy to digest and high in carbohydrates, making them a great pre-workout snack. Chips - If you’re looking for a crunchy snack, chips are a great option. They’re easy to digest, packed with carbs, and low in fat.

3 Fats for More Energy

Most fats are very easy to digest and contain lots of energy and nutrients. In fact, you need fat in your diet to stay healthy and build muscles. So, if you want to boost your energy before a workout, choose a pre-workout snack that’s high in fat. Nuts - Like we talked about above, nuts are an excellent pre-workout snack.

They’re high in fat, easy to digest, and full of vitamins and minerals. Peanuts - The same goes for peanuts, which are also high in protein. They’re easy to digest and contain lots of B vitamins, which help build muscles. Dark chocolate - Dark chocolate is a great pre-workout snack. It’s packed with antioxidants and is high in fat and sugar, which boosts your energy.

Conclusion

Exercising can be a lot of fun, but it’s not just about the fun part. You also need to prepare your body for the workout and make sure that you are getting the most out of it. This means eating the right foods beforehand. The best pre-workout foods are easily digestible, high in carbs, and low in fat. They also provide energy and nutrients that your body needs to build muscles, recover from a workout, and improve your performance. So, the next time you go for a workout, make sure to eat something beforehand.