First thing in the morning is an excellent time to get your daily workout in. You have energy, you haven’t yet gotten sucked into your mountain of to-do’s, and it is a great way to start your day off right. However, fitting a workout first thing in the morning is one thing; fitting in breakfast before that is even more difficult.
Luckily, there is no rule that you have to sit down to a big, home-cooked meal before working out. There are also quick, easy, and nutritious grab-and-go meal options to energize your workout.
An Energy Bar
Energy bars can be excellent meal substitutes that provide the protein, fiber, and energy you need for that all-important kick-start first thing in the morning. Many energy bars are balanced and full of nutrients, making them on-the-go healthy breakfast options. However, read your labels. Not all energy bars are created equal.
Some energy bars are nothing more than glorified candy bars that are full of sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats. Look for energy bars with just a few basic, wholesome ingredients such as nuts, nut butter, seeds, and dried fruit.
Eggs
Eggs are the perfect pre-workout on-the-go meal. They are full of protein; they are packed with nutrients such as folate, vitamin A, 3 B vitamins, phosphorus, and selenium; they are filling; they offer high amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Eggs have gotten a bad rap when it comes to cholesterol, but even though they have high amounts of dietary cholesterol they don’t adversely affect your blood cholesterol. Instead, eggs raise your levels of HDL or “good” cholesterol. Eggs are not only a good source of protein, but they also help improve your dental health.
A Smoothie
Smoothies are incredibly versatile. They can be made to suit anyone’s tastes and everyone’s dietary needs. Protein powder or nut butter can be added to increase their protein content. Spinach or kale can be used to amp up the nutritive value. Berries and other fruits can be mixed in to improve the taste. Avocado and coconut oil increase the healthy fat content. Blend in a banana to create a smooth consistency. When it comes to smoothie ingredients, the sky really is the limit.
Don’t let breakfast get in the way of your morning workout. You may not have loads of time to sit down and eat a full-fledged breakfast, but you do have time to grab an energy bar, a boiled egg or two, or a smoothie. Make sure that your workout is fueled right with a nutritious grab-and-go breakfast.
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