As any athlete will tell you, proper nutrition can help you get the most out of your workouts.

The importance of pre-workout fuel

Your body needs adequate fuel and hydration to support physical activity.

One things for sure, though; carbohydrates are king whenfueling most types of exercise.

Melissa Boufounos, CHN

Our bodies store carbohydrates as glycogen in the muscle.

Moderate amounts ofproteincan also be beneficial before resistance exercise.

To build muscle:

Resistance training is key to muscle growth.

Lauren Torrisi-Gorra, M.S., RD

I wouldnt recommend anything different to these individuals than Id recommend to anyone else!

Foods to eat

When it comes to choosing pre-workout foods, the possibilities are endless.

What works for one person might not work for another, even before the same types of exercise.

No matter what bang out of exercise youll be doing, staying well-hydrated before your workout is also essential.

Fluid and electrolytes also help decrease fatigue and risk of muscle cramping.

This comes out to around 14 oza little less than two glassesof water for a 150-pound person.

How much should I eat before a workout?

Does timing matter?

The time of day you exercise plays a significant role in your pre-workoutmeal timing.

Does the pop in of workout matter?

While lower intensity workouts are not as taxing and can be fueled with a more balanced meal.

As for timing, wrapping up your snack 30-90 minutes before your run should be adequate.

This will come out to about 68 grams for a 150-pound person.

Sports like tennis and hockey are high-intensity and involve a lot of stop-and-go, says Jones.

This means both high energy expenditure and a lot of movement that requires more easily digestible foods.

Recommendations similar to pre-running will work.

1 g per kg body weight is a good guideline to stick with, says Spano.

Is it okay to skip eating before a workout?

There are several reasons why someone may want or need toskip eatingbefore a workout.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I eat 30 minutes before a workout?

What should I eat before a workout to lose weight?

You dont have to change your pre-workout nutrition strategy.

What should I eat before a workout to build muscle?

A fast-digestingprotein powderlikewheywould work well in this situation.

The takeaway.

What you eat before a training session affects your performance and recovery.

Be sure to properly refuel after your workout, toothis guide will show you how.