Nutrition Tip of the Week brought to you by our friends at the Nutrition Hotline 888-587-3625

Fuel Your Afternoon Workout

Are you counting down the minutes until your afternoon workout? Exercising after a hectic day at school or work can be a great way to de-stress and helps your overall well-being.  Don’t sabotage your body by forgetting to have a pre-workout snack or meal. Chances are it’s been 4-5 hours since your last meal and your body is running low on energy.  Just like any pre-workout meal, it is important to have a carbohydrate and protein pairing to help make the most of your workout.

Quick snacks include:

  • Fresh fruit + yogurt
  • Whole-grain crackers + cheese or peanut butter
  • Banana + almonds
  • Half of a PB & J sandwich

If you know you will not be able to fit a snack in prior to your workout, plan a larger balanced meal at lunch that will hold you over until a post-workout meal.  A healthy example can be a lean protein served with brown rice or whole-grain pasta and vegetables.

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Jess Kolko RD, LD, is the Healthy Eating Registered Dietitian and Culinary Educator at Whole Foods Market’s global headquarters. Jess is a co-founder of the Nutrition Hotline—a volunteer organization staffed by RDs to answer nutrition questions for those that may not have the funds for private consultation. When she is not knee-deep in nutrition Jess enjoys training and competing in long distance triathlon and running events.