5 of the Worst Things to Eat Before Exercise

So, you’ve managed to tackle the beast huh? You’ve managed to start working out, developed a routine and by some miracle you’re actually enjoying your training! It is possible, we promise. Owner of Hanson Fitness and Celebrity Trainer Harry Hanson, who has trained stars such as Sandra Bullock and Tyra Banks, is sharing which foods to be wary of ahead of a work -out to ensure we get the best results out of our exercise regimen.

1. 1. FRIED/FATTY FOODS – This might seem like a no brainer for those with any kind of fitness or weight loss goals in general, but fried and fatty foods are some of the worst things you can consume before you start your workout. Anything greasy like pizza, burgers or French fries will be loaded with saturated fats, which are harder for your body to digest. Not only this, but saturated fats also stay in your system longer, meaning your body won’t be 100% ready for the workout you’re about to put yourself through. Fatty foods can also lead to bloating and cramping – which is the last thing you want to experience when you’re working out.
   2. ANYTHING SPICY! – A workout is supposed to make you feel like you could conquer the world – not like you need a sit down and a Rennie! Sadly, if you load up on delicious spicy food before you get your body working you could run the risk of heartburn and some serious cramp. Flavor and seasonings require a lot of digestion time, which means your body will need to work hard to digest it. Not really ideal when you’re planning on working it hard already!
   3. FIZZY DRINKS – Fizzy drinks are a huge ‘no no’ when it comes to prepping your body for a workout. Fizzy drinks are infused with carbon dioxide, which results in carbonation. The bubbles in your drink could make you feel incredibly gassy and full, or even cause abdominal pain during your workout.
   4. HIGH FIBRE FOODS – When it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, generally high fibre foods are great. They can help with weight management and reduce the risk of heart disease too. Having said that, foods such as vegetables, a lot of fruit and whole grains are simply more difficult for your body to digest. This can lead to some real discomfort during your workout as your body tries to multitask, which will really impact the effectiveness of your session.
   5. NUTS – Nuts are a great food, but their fat content is extremely high. Fat travels incredibly slowly through your body, which means more blood will flow to your GI tract and liver when you are trying to digest fat-heavy foods.Of course, it’s imperative that you leave yourself enough time for your food to digest to avoid any cramping or discomfort during your workout. If you have a few hours to spare, then opt for chicken and brown rice or a delicious omelet. If you don’t have as much time before your workout, simply eating a banana will give you that welcome boost of energy that you need!

When working out, it’s normal to push your body to the limit, and feeling that tension in your muscles the next day is a sign that you really pushed yourself, and something you should be proud of.