If you need a bite before you move, these easy, tasty, RD-approved options will satisfy—without weighing you down.
When it comes to health there’s so much emphasis put on working out that it’s easy to forget that what you do when you’re not exercising might actually be more important. Not only does time outside of the gym represent the bulk of your day, proper fuel and recovery are key for an optimized workout. While many people feel like they need to have a snack before they hit the mat, that’s not actually true.
“If you’re only exercising for an hour or less at lower intensity, you wouldn’t need to fuel, especially if you had eaten a meal three to four hours prior—but you should still hydrate,” says nutritionist Leslie J. Bonci, MPH, RD, CSSD, LDN. Many people also find that working out with food in their stomach—even if it’s just a small snack—can lead to cramping or gastrointestinal (GI) distress. Those people will delight in learning that more and more research is showing the benefits of working out on an empty stomach, as it allows the body to burn fat (not the carbs you just ate) for fuel.
1. 1/4 cup dried mango slices and raw almonds
“A handful of dried fruit and mixed nuts helps provide long-lasting fuel for running or hiking. Just be sure to keep the serving to around a 1/4 cup and aim to have it about an hour ahead of time so you don’t end up uncomfortably full before a workout,” says Mackenzie Burgess, RDN.
2. A slice of whole grain toast with a tablespoon of peanut butter and a small banana
“This combo provides a higher amount of quick-digesting carbohydrates—perfect for fueling intense workouts like running or HIIT training. Eat this snack at least an hour before a strenuous workout to provide enough time to digest,” says Burgess.
3. 16-ounce green smoothie
“Smoothies can help give you an energy boost for cardio classes without making you feel overly stuffed. Be sure to choose ingredients that provide a good balance of carbohydrates and protein,” says Burgess. For example, she recommends blending together half a frozen banana, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, 1 cup spinach, 1 scoop protein powder, and 1 cup almond milk. “Since smoothies may pack in a higher number of calories and nutrients, aim to drink them two to three hours before your sweat session,” she adds.
4. A medium apple and a tablespoon nut butter
“This classic combo of carbohydrates and protein is ideal for fueling a light workout like yoga or swimming. Don’t like apples? Try pears or strawberries instead,” says Burgess.
5. A cup of nonfat plain Greek yogurt
“Greek yogurt is a great source of protein, which helps prevent muscle damage and promotes the recovery process.” says Burgess. “Try eating this snack one to two hours before a weight-lifting session. To add some healthy carbohydrates into the mix, top with honey or homemade granola.”
6. A mini whole wheat pita, five chopped prunes, and a tablespoon of almond butter
“This mix provides the carbohydrates and fat for quick and long-lasting energy, great for a two-hour hike or bike ride,” Bonci says.
7. A smoothie with 8 ounces of milk, three prunes, 1/2 frozen banana
“This adds protein with carbs for the perfect combo for a strength training workout,” Bonci says.
8. Dates
“Dates are full of natural sugars that are easy to digest and provide quick acting energy for an endurance workout,” says Natalie Rizzo, MS, RD. You can grab one or two dates if you find yourself scrambling for something to snack on shortly before your workout starts.
9. Nuts
“For lower impact workouts, like yoga or pilates, the body utilizes fat for fuel. A handful of walnuts or almonds before one of these types of workouts will satiate hunger and keep you energized,” Rizzo says.
10. Cottage cheese with berries
Burgess recommends pairing a half-cup of cottage cheese with some berries. “Cottage cheese has been in the spotlight recently, and for good reason,” she says. “It provides satisfying protein and when paired with fiber-rich berries, it makes the perfect snack to fuel your muscles and sustain energy during a workout.”
11. Handful of pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate chips
Make a simple trail mix of pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate chips. “This crunchy and sweet combo provides nutrients like magnesium, vitamin E, and other antioxidants which can help support muscle function and reduce inflammation during exercise. If you’re not a fan of pumpkin seeds, feel free to swap out for your favorite nut,” Burgess says. She recommends a 1/4 cup serving before your workout.
12. Hummus with sliced cucumbers and sliced bell peppers
A 1/4 cup of hummus with some veggies makes for a satisfying snack, Burgess says. “It’s a great source of plant-based protein and fiber, keeping you fuller longer and powering your exercise. Pairing it with veggies like cucumbers and bell peppers is a great way to add extra hydration to your day for optimal workout performance,” Burgess says.
13. Slice of whole grain toast with mashed avocado and sprinkle of hemp seeds
“With slow-digesting carbs from the whole grain toast and muscle supporting potassium from the avocados, this snack provides lasting energy, making it ideal before exercise,” Burgess says.
Pre-workout Snack Tips to Keep in Mind
Eat at least 30 minutes before exercise.
Many gym-goers need a little pre-workout bite to feel energized and avoid things like dizziness. “It’s best to aim to have your snack at least 30 minutes before your workout to help top off energy stores for the upcoming activity,” says Cara Harbstreet, MS, RD, LD. “As a general rule, this snack should be high in carbohydrate, low to moderate in protein, low in fat, and also include 5 to 10 ounces of fluid.”
Eat a snack, not a meal.
It’s important to remember that you want to be eating a snack—not a meal. “When you’re eating before a workout, the goal should be a fist-size, not a plate-size, portion to decrease gut distress,” says Bonci. “If you’re going for the popular option of having a shake, that should be consumed at least an hour before planned exercise to allow time for the food to leave the stomach, so all the blood is not diverted to the digestive tract during exercise, but instead flowing to the exercising muscles.”
Eat for the workout you’re doing.
It’s worth highlighting that what you’re reaching for might change based on the kind of workout you’re doing. “For HIIT-type workouts, you’re burning more carbs, so your pre-workout fuel should be more carb focused,” says Bonci. “If you’re strength training, ideally you would have some protein not just after your workout, but also before to optimize muscle protein synthesis and minimize breakdown. Whereas for yoga, a small, carbohydrate snack that leaves the gut quickly may feel more comfortable and minimize gut distress, especially if you are doing inverted positions; so eating four prunes or prune puree, and making sure you hydrate an hour before class, would work well.”
What to Eat in a Pinch
As we all know, there are many days when just getting to the gym is a challenge, so planning a pre-workout snack’s timing isn’t always realistic. If you find yourself in need of some fuel as you’re literally walking into the workout room, Harbstreet recommends avoiding anything high in protein, fat, or fiber, as these can all slow digestion and potentially lead to unwanted GI side effects. “Lightly flavored foods are also less likely to cause issues, so something like lightly salted, roasted petite potatoes can be a great option. Another solution may be turning to liquid fuel sources at this point; they can be quicker and easier to digest and absorb, meaning you get the benefit of the carbohydrates in liquid form as well as hydration support.”
