I’m kinda ruled by my stomach, especially when it comes to exercise. If I eat right before I workout I feel sluggish… but if I eat too long before my workout I feel sluggish. I have to time it just right… and always carry an apple for emergencies. How I’m sweating also makes a difference. If it’s interval training, I work best with a mini meal about an hour before (like almonds and dried cranberries), followed by a protein-rich post-workout meal (like a quinoa, kale salad with grilled chicken). If it’s hot yoga, I make sure I hydrate before and after with coconut water. And if I’m playing sand volleyball, I whip up a blueberry + peach + Greek yogurt smoothie before and have a healthy meal after… unless we go to a sports bar, and then pizza and beer usually win out.
But enough about me… Below, a celeb trainer, spin instructor and yoga teacher share their exercise eats…
*What celebrity personal trainer Lucas James eats pre- and post-workout
My favorite pre-training eat is… Quest Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bar. I recommend the bar because it’s gluten-free and has 20g carbs, 1g sugar and 20g protein – and will amplify energy levels and reduce glycogen depletion and post-workout cortisol levels.
My favorite post-training eat is… 30-50 grams of chocolate hydrolyzed whey protein powder, 10g of BCAA (Branched Chain Amino Acid), 5g of L-Glutamine and 8oz of unsweetened almond milk mixed into a shaker, followed by 8oz of boneless skinless chicken breast, 6oz of green beans, and 6oz of sweet potatoes. Post-workout meals are the second most important meal of the day next to breakfast and it helps build muscle!
*Rebecca Lammersen, writer, yoga teacher & founder of Yogalution Studio, shares her food philosophy
My favorite pre- and post-yoga eat… I eat what I love and what nourishes me, whether that is oatmeal, eggs, Pretzel M&Ms, a big turkey sandwich with extra pickles, or a grilled cheese shared with my daughter. I believe it is what we think, feel and do that creates wellness of being, more than what we eat.
*Brian Whitley, spin instructor at The Madison Improvement Club, eats for energy and recovery
My favorite pre-spin eat is… An egg white omelet with veggies. It’s light, easy to make and gives me the energy I need to teach at my best.
My favorite post-spin eat is… A Bigger Yard smoothie at The Madison Improvement Club. It’s made with kale, spinach, mango, pineapple and coconut water. It’s low calorie for a smoothie but refreshing and delicious. If I’m still hungry, I always try to eat any kind of lean protein and more veggies!
