Health & Fitness
Snacks for Success
Snacks can be thought of as junk food, but should be thought of as healthy fuel for between meals to rev metabolism, prevent over eating, and recover from workouts.
Whether your goal is weight loss, improving your performance, decreasing soreness, increasing energy, or fueling for a healthy lifestyle pre/post workout snacks can make the difference! But what do I pick? NutriFormance recommends whole real foods as much as possible. The convenience of bars is sometimes necessary, or as the Dietitians at NutriFormance recommends “emergency food stash.” Something is always better than nothing.
Before You Hit The Gym: In general, if less than 1 hour before you workout eat just carbohydrate like a piece of fruit or piece of toast or ½ a Luna bar. If more than 2 hours you may have a small meal of protein and carbohydrate: yogurt and fruit, 1 egg and ½ English muffin. Too close to a workout you want lower fiber and fat foods to aid in digestion. If 4 hours before you may have a complete meal of protein, fat and carbohydrate: turkey sandwich with lettuce, tomato, etc with fruit and Greek yogurt.
Discover How To Recover: Have you ever noticed after beginning a workout program or changing up your program you become hungrier? In general, you want to have a snack or meal within 30 minutes after a workout. Include protein and carbohydrate. Like fruit and Greek yogurt. If just a snack make sure to have a complete meal within 2 hours post workout. How do I choose which bar? 1. Taste: if you do not like it no matter how healthy it is for you, you will not continue to consume on a regular basis. 2. Read the label: check for all natural ingredients and in general we recommend for woman as a snack less than 300 calories for men less than 400 with about 10g protein, 3-5g of fiber. 3. Timing: use your timing of exercise and when your next meal is to determine what you need. 4. Do not misuse: bars are not meant to be for meal replacement. Whole food is always best.