Pre-workout supplements like protein shakes might be the trend but they cause you more harm than you can imagine. Try these natural pre-workout foods instead.

Hitting the gym with full force and a good energy level is extremely important in order to make the most of your workout without feeling exhausted or fatigued.

We all have days when we come back from work/wrapping up the day’s errands and end up too exhausted to be working out. Even if we somehow manage to drag our exhausted selves to the gym, running on the treadmill or lifting weights seem tougher than climbing Everest, because, hello! What do you expect after a tiring day, anyway?

Enter pre-workout supplements and energy drinks that come with the said promise of “giving you wings”, enabling you to lift heavier weights, running faster, working out more efficiently, and the unsaid promise of getting you addicted to them, upping your heart rate and blood pressure, giving you a headache, and worse still—causing diarrhea, dehydration and insomnia.

Damn! How, then, does a person work out after a tiring day without having to rely on these harmful substances? Well, as usual, the answer lies in going back to nature. 

Here are five natural pre-workout foods to give you that energy kick minus the side-effects:

1.  Banana: Bananas have been a favourite pre-workout meal for many athletes and workout enthusiasts, and rightly so. As per a study conducted at the Appalachian State University, this fruit is at par with energy drinks when it comes to giving an instant energy spike to the body. 

With a healthy blend of natural sugars and the nutritional value of nutrients such as magnesium, fiber, potassium, and vitamin B6, bananas are all you need to hit the gym in full swing. 

2. Apple: Surely, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But did you know that an apple before a workout can keep exhaustion at bay as well?

According to a study conducted at Cornell University, apples provide an energy boost similar to that of coffee, thanks to their high natural-sugar content giving you an energy boost instantly. This definitely makes apples the healthier pre-workout alternative compared to the caffeine-rich coffee.  

3. Oatmeal: According to several studies including one published in the Harvard Health Publishing, oats are a rich source of fiber and take time to digest. This means that they release blood sugar into your bloodstream gradually and can thus, keep you energetic for a longer span of time. 

It’s best to consume them an hour or two prior to your workout so that you don’t turn up with a full belly, but stay energetic.

4. Peanut butter sandwich: While the peanut butter can give you a great dose of protein before you hit the squat rack, the carbohydrates from the bread can raise your energy levels, making you feel more than ready to lift heavy and run faster.

 Consuming half a sandwich around twenty to thirty minutes before your workout can help you a great deal. 

5. Yogurt: This gut-friendly option is super-healthy and contains carbohydrates in the form of simple sugars, such as lactose and galactose. Since these sugars don’t take much time to break down, they can provide an energy-boost almost instantly after their consumption.

Products being sold in the market may show quick results but in the longer run, they will harm you in one way or another. Hence, when it comes to your body, it is best to stick to everything natural and preserve your health.

Hope this was incentive enough for you guys to quit those unhealthy drinks and try these natural pre-workout foods instead!