The Best Pre-Workout Snacks

The best time to snack is 30 minutes before your workout, but what are the best pre-workout snacks? I asked Megan Thornton, a registered dietician, to give us suggestions beyond protein shakes and bars. 

Whole Wheat Toast

If practice is so early that you could consider your pre-practice snack breakfast, then whole wheat toast is a good choice. Whole wheat toast contains complex carbs, which will fuel your body no matter how long your coach keeps you on the field. If that’s not enough to wake up your taste buds, spread jam, nut butter, or avocado on it. 

Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

Another good pre-practice snack that falls into the breakfast category is a fruit and yogurt parfait. Try vanilla yogurt with a layer of blueberries and strawberries, topped with granola. If you’re not a morning person, make it the night before using frozen fruit and add the granola in the morning. The ingredients in a parfait give you simple carbs and protein.

Fruit

If you’re like me and you can’t stomach yogurt, don’t worry. Plain fruit is still a good choice for a pre-practice snack. It’s a simple carb and will fuel your body fast, but not so fast that you have to worry about crashing. Fruit contains fiber, which slows digestion down enough to prevent your insulin from spiking and your blood glucose from crashing. 

Trail Mix

Trail Mix is a good choice for a pre-practice snack because it not only contains complex carbs, fiber, and protein. If you’ve been down the snack aisle at the grocery store lately, you know there’s no shortage of varieties from sweet, salty, and even spicey! You can always get creative and make your own, too.

Cheese and Whole-grain Crackers

Crackers aren’t usually considered a healthy snack, but they’re better for you when they’re made with whole grains. Whole-grain crackers contain complex carbs and fiber. Add cheese, which contains protein, and you’ve got yourself a well-balanced snack. To avoid a potentially upset stomach, stick to one portion of cheese or even a vegan variety.

Hummus

Hummus is made of chickpeas, which are tiny powerhouses of nutrition. They contain complex carbs, protein, and fiber. Dip things like fresh veggies, whole-grain pretzels, or whole wheat pita bread in it, and you’ve got a delicious snack that now contains even more complex carbs and fiber. You can even find hummus in convenient “on-the-go” portions now.

No matter what you eat, make sure you eat something before practice to fuel your body and get the most out of your workout.

Featured Image via Adobe Stock

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