The most important rule for anyone who works out is to eat before you lift weights, run, or participate in any sports. Eating the right foods prior to a workout ensures that you have enough energy. There is nothing worse than hitting a wall in the middle of your run or weight training routine. The easiest way to get nutrition into the body is to eat a food bar. The best pre-workout bar will provide the nutrients you need to help you make it through your workout. The best source for fuel comes from carbohydrates. Most importantly, consume complex or fibrous carbohydrates that can give you sustained energy. Carbohydrates are stored as glycogen. During a workout, your body pulls uses glycogen as energy. If your glycogen levels are depleted, then you have no fuel left to power your muscles. Your body will then start using lean muscle tissue as fuel.
The best pre-workout bar should contain at least twenty-five grams of carbohydrates. The body prefers carbohydrates as fuel because carbs are quickly digested and absorbed by the body. Look at the ingredient list on the food bar. Bars which contain nuts and dried fruit at the top of the ingredients list are preferred. These bars are packed with carbohydrates, fiber, and protein. They provide the much-needed nutrients to fuel your muscles so you can sustain your energy levels during a workout. They also contain the right fats that are good for the body.
It is best not to exercise hungry. Hunger pains will deplete your energy levels. The best time to consume your pre-workout snack is approximately one to two hours prior to your workout. This allows time for your body to digest and absorb the nutrients to provide you with a better workout. If you have less than one hour until your workout, then increase the amount of carbohydrate intake.
