Eating the right foods before and after a workout can make all the difference in terms of how you feel during and after exercise. But what are the best pre-and post-workout foods? 

Here we’ll discuss some of the best options to fuel your workout and help you recover afterward. 

Oats

Oats are an excellent food for workouts because they are high in complex carbohydrates, which provide long-lasting energy for your body. They also contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help fight inflammation and keep your immune system strong. 

Additionally, the fiber from oats helps to fill you up so that you don’t get hungry during or after your workout. For the perfect pre-workout breakfast, consider making yourself some oatmeal or overnight oats. 

Leafy Green Vegetables

Leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale, collards, bok choy, and Swiss chard are packed with vitamins A, C, E, and K as well as iron and calcium. They also contain magnesium which helps to reduce muscle soreness after a workout. 

Plus they’re low in calories so you won’t feel weighed down during your exercise routine. Leafy greens are also great for keeping your teeth healthy. This is because they contain calcium which strengthens tooth enamel. 

Fruits

Fruits are excellent for providing quick energy before a workout thanks to their natural sugar content without being overly filling or heavy on your stomach. All types of fruit—fresh or frozen—are good choices but some of the best fruits to eat pre-workout include oranges (for Vitamin C), bananas (for potassium), apples (for fiber), watermelon (to stay hydrated), and berries (for antioxidants). Eating fruit after a workout provides your body with essential nutrients to aid recovery along with replenishing lost electrolytes like sodium and potassium. 

Eating the right foods before and after a workout can make all the difference in terms of how you perform during exercise as well as how quickly you recover afterward. Complex carbohydrates like oats provide long-lasting energy while leafy greens help reduce muscle soreness due to their vitamin content plus their calcium helps strengthen tooth enamel too! Fruits like oranges, bananas, apples, watermelon, and berries provide essential nutrients for recovery plus quick energy before a workout without weighing you down too much. So next time you hit the gym or go out for a run be sure to start with these great pre- or post-workout foods!

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