Eating the wrong food before a workout can turn a solid gym session into a sluggish mess. Some foods might seem harmless, but once you start moving, they can leave you bloated, crampy, or just plain uncomfortable. If you want to avoid feeling like you’re dragging a brick around the gym, it’s best to steer clear of certain snacks before you break a sweat. From heavy, greasy meals to deceptively sugary snacks, these are the foods that can ruin your workout before it even begins.
Dairy (Milk, Cheese, Yogurt)
Dairy and exercise are not friends. The lactose in milk, cheese, and yogurt can be hard to digest and is notorious for causing bloating, cramps, and an upset stomach. You’ll feel like you’re hauling around a brick, and let’s face it, no one wants to deal with that mid-run discomfort. Save the dairy for after the workout.
Spicy Foods
Love spicy food? So do we—but not before hitting the gym. That hot sauce might be great on tacos, but it can wreak havoc on your stomach when you’re trying to work out. You’re likely to end up battling heartburn, indigestion, or worse. Sweating it out from a run is one thing, but sweating because of fiery stomach cramps is another.
Carbonated Drinks
That fizzy soda or sparkling water might seem refreshing, but the bubbles in carbonated drinks expand in your stomach, making you feel bloated and gassy. Trying to do squats while burping up carbonation? Not a good look. You’ll spend more time trying to settle your stomach than getting your reps in.
Sugary Snacks
Grabbing a candy bar or sugary snack before a workout might seem like a quick energy fix, but it’s a trap! You’ll get a quick energy spike, only to crash just as fast, leaving you feeling tired, sluggish, and ready for a nap instead of a workout. That sugar rush is short-lived, and you’ll regret it once the slump hits.
Beans or Lentils
Beans, lentils, and other high-fiber foods are fantastic for your diet—just not right before you hit the gym. They can cause gas and bloating that will have you feeling uncomfortable, distracted, and possibly making some noises you’d rather not share with your workout buddy. Avoid the fiber bomb pre-workout!
Fried Foods
Fried chicken, French fries, and onion rings might be tempting, but they’re loaded with fats that take forever to digest. That means you’ll feel weighed down, sluggish, and possibly a little queasy during your workout. Plus, no one wants to feel greasy while trying to crush it at the gym.
Protein Shakes (with Dairy)
Not all protein shakes are equal—especially the ones loaded with dairy. If your shake has milk or yogurt, it could leave you feeling bloated and heavy. It’s best to stick to plant-based or non-dairy options if you’re looking for a protein boost that won’t leave you regretting it halfway through your workout.
Broccoli (and Cruciferous Veggies)
Broccoli, cauliflower, and their cruciferous cousins are packed with fiber and nutrients, but they’re also gas-producing champions. Eating them before a workout is like setting yourself up for a bloating contest. Save the greens for post-workout when your stomach isn’t trying to ruin your squats.
Avocados
Avocados are delicious and healthy, but they’re loaded with fat, even if it’s the good kind. Eating something this fatty before a workout can make you feel sluggish and slow because fats take longer to digest. Skip the avocado toast before hitting the gym if you want to feel light and energized.
Energy Drinks
You’d think energy drinks would be a workout essential, but they’re often full of sugar and caffeine. Sure, you’ll feel wired at first, but once that caffeine high fades, you’re left dehydrated and jittery, not to mention the inevitable sugar crash. A water bottle will do you more favors during your workout.
Eat These 13 Foods Before or After Your Workout To Feel Your Best
Figuring out what to eat before or after your workout isn’t as easy as it sounds. You want something that will fuel the energy you’re about to spend or replenish what you just lost. But at the same time, you want to keep things light and not make your stomach work extra hard on digestion. Selecting the right foods is key to a getting the most out of your exercise. Here’s a great list to choose from.
Read it Here: Eat These 13 Foods Before or After Your Workout To Feel Your Best
15 Fitness Myths That Are Keeping You Unhealthy
We all have that friend who swears by certain fitness rules, but guess what? Some of those “rules” are total myths! From outdated advice to plain old misconceptions, it’s time to set the record straight. We’re breaking down some of the most common fitness myths that might be keeping you from reaching your goals.
Read it Here: 15 Fitness Myths That Are Keeping You Unhealthy
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Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
