An Eternal Question: What am I supposed to eat before I work out?

 Finding time to enjoy what you eat on a busy schedule is a necessity. But finding time to eat well before you work out? Forget about it. While it can be tempting to forgo your meal altogether before you hit the gym, you must always provide your body with the proper fuel before your workout. If you’re looking to rejuvenate your workout regimen, here are some worthy pre-workout food ideas to set you on the right path.

1. Water, water, water. Everyone brings water with them to their workout, but not everyone drinks it beforehand. It takes time for your body to absorb the water you drink, start a habit like this one: Try drinking just one glass of water (8 oz) at the top of every hour (or so), every day.
2. Eggs. Hard-boiled, Sunny Side, or straight-up Rocky-style, eggs are packed with nutrients and protein to prepare your body for pumping iron. Best yet, scramble the eggs with some vegetables for a filling and healthy meal.
3. Beet juice. Beet juice has the power to pull you through a tough workout. The nutrients in beet juice provide both oxygen to your muscles and an increase in blood flow, allowing you to reach your target heart rate with ease.
4. Bananas. Bananas are easily the best fruit to have on hand when you’re working out. They’ve got loads of potassium, and are packed with easily-digestible carbs. Eating them before your workout is even better – it prevents cramping.
5. Oats. Next time you hit spin class, remember to eat your oats before you go. When the complex carbohydrates found in oats are broken down by your system, the energy is released and sustained over time so you won’t lose your strength in the middle of a rep.

Remember to stay away from any processed foods, especially those with a substantial amount of sugar and/or fat. There are many other foods that can charge your body for a workout. Try experimenting with various fruits and vegetables, raw or otherwise. With a great meal, you’ll see how much your energy level increases, even in the first workout.