Nourish
WHAT YOU SHOULD EAT (AND DRINK) TO FUEL YOUR WORKOUT
What you consume before a workout can have a big impact on how you feel. Jen Curtiss, the Barre3 in-house Naturopathic Physician, is here to help you eat and drink your way to better results, both during class and in the hours after.
B3: What should we consider when deciding what to eat before a workout?
Jen: Consider the length and intensity of the workout, then your body’s blood-sugar state.
For example, if you are under increased stress or had a poor night of sleep, you may need to support your blood sugar and energy before a workout with a simple carb source such as a banana. If the workout is moderate, you may be better off not eating all and performing a morning workout after an overnight fast. Or, if your workout is longer than 60 minutes, you may need a snack or meal that provides both short-term and long-term energy support such as a barre3 smoothie (or the smoothie bowl pictured above) containing protein, healthy fat, and fiber.
B3: How much time should we allow between a meal and a class?
Jen: At least 30 minutes—though for a large meal, allow two hours for digestion.
B3: Do you have a favorite quick snack to eat before class?
Jen: We like bananas because they contain their own enzyme and are therefore digested quickly. This type of snack is a simple carb and can be eaten 15 minutes before class.
B3: Do you have any favorite foods to eat before an early-morning class?
Jen: I like banana or pineapple, since both contain their own enzymes and break down easily for fast energy. Or try a barre3 Donut Hole, barre3 Bar, or 1/2 a smoothie. If sleep was good, stress is moderate, and your blood sugar is well controlled, you may be able to skip a snack before an early-morning workout if you don’t feel hungry. But if you tend to feel faint or have low energy in the morning, you should eat a snack to support your blood sugar and energy. This is especially important after a poor night of sleep.
B3: What about water?
Jen: Before your workout, drink a glass of water, and drink during if you are sweating or feel thirsty. Staying hydrated allows your cells and muscles to function better. A general rule of thumb is to drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces daily, or approximately 2 liters—1 liter during the day and 16 ounces at the start and end of your day.
What you consume before a workout can have a big impact on how you feel. Jen Curtiss, the Barre3 in-house Naturopathic Physician, is here to help you eat and drink your way to better results, both during class and in the hours after.
B3: What should we consider when deciding what to eat before a workout?
Jen: Consider the length and intensity of the workout, then your body’s blood-sugar state.
For example, if you are under increased stress or had a poor night of sleep, you may need to support your blood sugar and energy before a workout with a simple carb source such as a banana. If the workout is moderate, you may be better off not eating all and performing a morning workout after an overnight fast. Or, if your workout is longer than 60 minutes, you may need a snack or meal that provides both short-term and long-term energy support such as a barre3 smoothie (or the smoothie bowl pictured above) containing protein, healthy fat, and fiber.
B3: How much time should we allow between a meal and a class?
Jen: At least 30 minutes—though for a large meal, allow two hours for digestion.
B3: Do you have a favorite quick snack to eat before class?
Jen: We like bananas because they contain their own enzyme and are therefore digested quickly. This type of snack is a simple carb and can be eaten 15 minutes before class.
B3: Do you have any favorite foods to eat before an early-morning class?
Jen: I like banana or pineapple, since both contain their own enzymes and break down easily for fast energy. Or try a barre3 Donut Hole, barre3 Bar, or 1/2 a smoothie. If sleep was good, stress is moderate, and your blood sugar is well controlled, you may be able to skip a snack before an early-morning workout if you don’t feel hungry. But if you tend to feel faint or have low energy in the morning, you should eat a snack to support your blood sugar and energy. This is especially important after a poor night of sleep.
B3: What about water?
Jen: Before your workout, drink a glass of water, and drink during if you are sweating or feel thirsty. Staying hydrated allows your cells and muscles to function better. A general rule of thumb is to drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces daily, or approximately 2 liters—1 liter during the day and 16 ounces at the start and end of your day.
