What You Shouldn't Eat Before a Workout

What you consume before a workout can directly affect your workout performance—and defeat the entire purpose if it’s the wrong foods. That’s partially why your diet is just as important, if not more important, than getting regular exercise to reach your goals. Here’s a list of what you shouldn’t eat before a workout.

Refined Sugar

The first food you should steer clear of before breaking a sweat is refined sugar. You might be burning off the calories of a delectable treat during your workout, but refined sugar can make you feel tired before the workout even begins. Choosing fruit over refined sugar is a much better alternative for some energy before working out.

Spicy Foods

Indian and Mexican foods are typically full of spices, and while some could be good for you, these are foods you shouldn't eat before a workout. This is because spicy foods can lead to indigestion or heartburn, which can make a workout more difficult to get through.

High-Sodium Foods

A ton of foods tend to be high in sodium, which can be bad to eat before working out. The main reason you should stay away from food with a lot of salt is because it can cause dehydration if you don’t drink enough water, resulting in cramps and headaches during your workout.

Fiber

Incorporating fiber into your diet is a great way to boost your metabolism, but it’s not the best way to fuel yourself up before exercising. You should avoid foods with more than four grams of fiber per serving, such as nuts, avocados, certain cereals, broccoli, and cauliflower, because the body needs more time to digest them.

Dairy

Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt also require more time to digest. Consuming dairy before moving your body can also cause an upset stomach or bloating, which can hinder your workout performance.

You can choose from plenty of options when it comes to the right foods to eat before a workout, such as healthy carbohydrates and proteins. You can also find the home gym equipment you need at Precor Home Fitness, which offers treadmills, Smith machines, rubber hex dumbbell sets, and so much more.