Pre-Workout Snacks

I set alarms through out my day to let me know to eat... because 1. Im that busy. 2. and I can get that lazy when it comes to eat. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to eat... but sometimes I get too distracted to remember to eat... and come on... eating 5 meals a day is easy to forget! Most of us are in the hustle and bustle of life!

I HATE working out on an empty and growling stomach, and hate is a strong word... esp if it's AB day. There's nothing worse then doing a crunch when all you want to do is eat.

Here are some easy pre-workout snacks you can indulge in a few minutes before you either press play like me (for all of us at home workout DVD peeps--think T25, Insanity, P90X, etc) or go to the gym!


1. 8oz Plain Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup of blueberries and 1tbsp of agave nectar or honey
2. Whole wheat pita with hummus ( I love spicy jalapeno hummus) and carrots
3. Brown Rice Cake with 1 tbsp of all natural PB and a few banana slices
4. Two hard boiled eggs with tapatio or salsa with a handful of almonds
5. Shakeology--any flavor-Vegan Tropical or Chocolate, Reg. Chocolate, Greenberry and Vanilla
6. An apple with all natural PB or small handful of almonds
7. 1/2 cup of oatmeal with fresh berries and cinnamon
8. 1/2 sweet potato with almond butter (yum)
9. Slice of Ezekiel toast with fresh fruit
10. Albacore Tuna with avocado and spinach

Need a quick boost before your workout and you're not hungry just low on energy? Check out a preworkout drink like this one!
So want to know WHY pre-workout snacks/meals are a MUST for results and recovery?

• If you want to push your HARDEST in your workout, it's important to eat 1-2 hours before you workout because it gives your body that energy it needs to expend on the workout itself... for example.. try lifting weights on an empty stomach thats hungry and a stomach thats been given proper nutrition. Who will lift more weights, higher reps, and heavier weights? 
• Carbs low in the glycemic index is KEY before a workout, it allows you to have energy LONGER... foods with a high GI are known for the "crashing" effect--you don't want to crash half way through your workout do you?! Thats why carbs like quinoa, sprouted grain breads like Ezekiel and oatmeal are key.
• Protein and essential amino acids are the building blocks of our muscles. You can get animal protein through eggs, fish, chicken, etc. or through other sources like beans, spinach and quinoa. 
• Essential fatty acids (EFAs) will keep you full during your workout--such as tuna listed above!

It's pretty basic--eat about 1-2 hours before you workout. If you plan on going for a quick morning jog, your best bet is to have a small serving of oatmeal. If you plan on doing a  predawn yoga sesh, make sure you have plenty of water and a sports drink with electrolytes! I could go on and on. but for now this is it! check back for POST workout snacks for optimal recovery and results.