The best breakfast pre workout combines carbohydrates and easily digestible protein. This can be something as simple as a smoothie or banana and chia toast (find the recipes above), or a tried-and-tested classic like eggs and avocado on toast.
If you're doing a short or low-intensity workout, simple carbohydrates should be enough to fuel you (for example, a banana or a few handfuls of cereal). However, if you're doing a longer or more intense workout, you should pair energy-boosting carbohydrates with a small amount of fat and protein.
Working out on an empty stomach in the morning can be beneficial for fat loss, as it taps into stored glycogen and promotes fat utilization. However, for muscle building, having a small meal with protein before may be more effective. Listen to your body, experiment, and find what works best for you.
For muscle building, eggs are generally better due to their high protein content and complete amino acid profile. However, incorporating oatmeal into your diet can provide the necessary carbohydrates for energy and recovery. A balanced approach that includes both can be very effective for muscle building.
The first thing to give your body in the morning is water. Next, you can hit it with non-sugary tea, protein, veggies, and carbs (e.g., oatmeal, rice, sweet potatoes, fruit, or similar). The order in which you eat food is also critical.
Starting the day on an empty tank can leave you feeling drained and reaching for foods that may not be in your meal plan by mid-morning. Plan to eat breakfast within an hour of waking. This way, your breakfast doesn't blend into a mid-morning snack or grazing followed closely by lunch.
Packed with carbohydrates, bananas serve as a primary fuel source for your muscles during exercise. The natural sugars they contain provide a quick energy boost, making them an ideal pre-workout snack.
Eating eggs pre-workout
A light meal, based on easily digested foods providing you with enough carbohydrate and some protein, is best - so scrambled or poached eggs on toast, perhaps with a banana or some yoghurt, is ideal.
That plan is called the 30-30-30 rule. It's a simple but catchy idea that encourages you to eat 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up and then get 30 minutes of low-intensity exercise. The 30-30-30 rule now has millions of followers on TikTok.
It is when the timing pattern of our workout becomes erratic that elicits a negative response to a positive stressor like exercise. If you're going to make the early morning workout your routine, then waking up at least an hour before training is your best bet for your body to adjust to a new the circadian rhythm.
The short answer: Many experts suggest having protein after a workout to build muscle mass. But preworkout or postworkout protein may help. Strenuous exercise creates microtears in the muscles. After a workout, your body repairs the damage using amino acids from dietary protein.
The best breakfast pre workout combines carbohydrates and easily digestible protein. This can be something as simple as a smoothie or banana and chia toast (find the recipes above), or a tried-and-tested classic like eggs and avocado on toast.
Eat a healthy breakfast
Studies suggest that eating or drinking carbohydrates before exercise can help you do better during your workout. And the carbohydrates may allow you to work out for a longer time or at a higher intensity. If you don't eat, you might feel slow-moving or lightheaded when you exercise.
Can I Eat Bananas on an Empty Stomach? Absolutely! Bananas provide quick energy due to their natural sugars and are rich in potassium, which supports heart and bone health. They're easy to digest and make for a convenient breakfast option that supports overall health and keeps hunger at bay until lunch.
Before: PB&J
They give you the energy your muscles need during exercise. The peanut butter adds a dose of protein, which helps you feel full, and that can help fend off post-workout cravings and binges. In fact, research shows that eating small amounts of peanuts can help you maintain a healthy weight.
Ideally, include carbs such as a banana, low-fat yogurt, bowl of cereal, smoothie or a glass of milk. Avoid foods that are high in fat or fibre because they take longer to digest and may cause stomach discomfort during exercise.
Lifting and doing strength training without adequate nutrition, especially without enough protein, can actually lead to loss of muscle tissue. Furthermore, if you aren't eating right you won't have the energy to do the workouts that lead to muscle gain.
Exercising without food and fuel leads to decreased energy levels, making it challenging to give your 100% to the workout. Which may in turn result in shorter or less intense workouts. In some extreme cases, fasted workouts lead to muscle breakdown as the body seeks alternative energy sources.
Bananas are considered the best morning pre-workout meal.
Eating Eggs Pre-Workout
If you want to work out or exercise, avoid eating large, heavy meals that are difficult to digest. Try eating at least an hour before any physical activity. A light meal, consisting of easily digested foods such as scrambled or poached eggs on toast with a banana or some yoghurt is ideal.
Most people are brought up thinking that dinner should be the biggest meal of the day, meaning they opt for a light breakfast and lunch. However, research has found that a smaller dinner and larger lunch could be the key to helping you shift those weight.
You eat 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up, followed by 30 minutes of “steady-state cardiovascular exercise.” Eating a protein-filled breakfast in the morning can stave off cravings later, and exercising first thing ensures you get some movement before your day gets going.