The Best Pre and Post Workout Foods in Seventeen Magazine

by Arielle J on June 10, 2015

Last week, I wasn’t feeling like my energized self.
My legs were exhausted from standing and cooking at cooking class all day,
and I wasn’t sleeping as soundly as I usually am used to, so I woke up
feeling quite lethargic.

I was invited to a spin class later at 7pm and by 6pm, I honestly felt like
just getting into a cab and jetting home to sleep. My stomach wasn’t necessarily
hungry, but I knew that it needed some type of fuel. And, I knew that without that fuel,
I wouldn’t get as great of a workout.

But, I headed to a nearby juice spot and grabbed a smoothie.
In the pre-workout smoothie: coconut water + almond milk + strawberries + almond butter + chia seeds.
Within 3 minutes of sipping it, I felt renewed.

Whether you do pushups in your living, have plans to go for a run or schedule a last minute yoga class with a friend, what you eat before and after can make or break a workout, and help and heal your body, too.

I believe that the best types of pre-workout foods are: high in good quality carbohydrates (approx 65%) and good quality protein (approx 35%) and the best post-workout foods are: high in protein (approx 65%) and good quality carbohydrates (approx 35%).

I hate using percentages when it comes to food but I think it gives a helpful way to picture it when ordering a smoothie before you workout, or planning a dinner after a workout.

Why? Good quality carbohydrates fuel your body and good quality protein helps replenish and recover muscles from the strain of the workout.

Examples of Good Pre-Workout Foods:

– Oatmeal
– Raspberries
– Almonds
– Brown Rice Cakes

Examples of Good Post-Workout Foods:

– Lentils
– Tempeh
– Pastured Eggs (yolk and egg whites)
– Walnuts

Here are a few more of my tips featured in Seventeen Magazine this month!