Why Pre - Workout Smoothie?

I love addressing questions I get asked all the time, here is one of them:

"Should I eat before workout, and if so what should I eat?" Literally, every single day I hear these words! When it comes to eating before working out, let`s look on it this way:

Just as if you were to go on a trip from San Francisco to LA , you would pack your car, get ready and excited to go, and of course, you must first put fuel in your tank... otherwise you will not make it to LA, right?

Same goes for your body! You must also "fuel your body" before exercise so that you have the energy to workout.

One of my favorite ways to fuel my body before (and after) a workout is with an easy to make smoothie. Smoothies are one of the easiest and fastest ways to give your body a boost of energy without making you feel overly full. They are easy to digest, and provide great results afterwards.

The best smoothies for PRE and POST WORKOUT include a mix of healthy protein, carbs, and fiber. Pack it with protein humans! Great sources of protein for smoothies are:

• Nut milk: coconut milk - 5g per cup / Almond milk - 1g per cup

• Plain yogurt - 14g per cup

• Almonds - 6g per 24 whole almonds

• Walnuts - 4g per 7 nuts

• Peanuts - 6g per ounce

• Nut butter - 2 to 3g in tbsp

• Flax seeds - 2g in tbsp

• Chia seeds - 4g in tbsp

• Pumpkin seeds - 3g in tbsp

• Hemp Seeds - 5g in tbsp

• Oats - 11g in one cup

• Quinoa - 8g in one cup cooked quinoa

• Cacao nibs - 4g per ounce

• Protein powder (my favorite one are Vegan) - 20 to 30g per scoop

Energizing carbs are good friends when you`re exercising! Energy boosting carbohydrates are:

• Fruit : banana / apple / berries / pear / kiwi / etc..

• Greens

• Oats

• Grains

• Nuts

• and more..

Give your smoothie a fiber boost! Fiber is also a complex carb, and is found in veges, fruit, whole grains, and beans. Fiber is your digestive aid, it helps you feel full quickly but not overly full, and helps with better digestion. Fiber for your smoothies are:

• Romaine lettuces

• Spinach (literally best of the best!)

• Kale

• Fruit: Berries / kiwi / apple / pear / banana

• Nuts: Almonds / walnuts

• and more..

I hope this blog already motivating you to make a smoothie and move your body. Here is one of the simple smoothies that I do very often before my yoga or workout:

Creamy Strawberry Banana Energizing Pre - Workout Smoothie:

What you will need:

• 1 cup almond milk

• 1 banana

• 1 cup strawberries

• Scoop of protein powder

• 1 tbsp Flax seeds

• 1 tbsp Chia seeds

• 1 tbsp Nut butter

• (Ice cubes optional /or frozen fruit) I don't like my smoothies cold and also not recommend to others.

Blend it well and enjoy!

Best to have 30 - 45 min prior to your workout. If you have any favorite pre/post workout smoothie please share in the comments below, so I can try it out as well. Sharing is caring :)

Happy workout my friends! XO, Liel