5 Ways To Fuel Your Workout

Figuring out what to eat before, during, and after a workout can be a real challenge, especially if you’re like me and exercise first thing in the morning. I don’t want to get up even earlier to eat, but I don’t want to bonk. After I exercise, I don’t have much time before I have to leave for work, but if I skimp on breakfast I will be gnawing at my steering wheel before I pull into the parking garage. After some trial and error, I’ve come up with these five ways to fuel your workout. 

Favorite Fuel (1)
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1. Breakfast Cookies. Ever since I discovered this recipe, I’ve kept a stash of these three ingredient breakfast cookies in the fridge. I pop one or two in the toaster and top with a schmear of peanut butter to get me through a track workout or indoor cycling class.

Breakfast Cookies
2. Toaster Waffles. My go-to pre-race breakfast is one cup of  coffee and a Kashi multigrain waffle with peanut butter. It tastes good, is easy to digest, and the peanut butter gives it just enough staying power.

Pre-Race Breakfast
3. Nuun or Gatorade. Since my long runs top out at about 10 miles, I don’t eat anything during a run, but I do like to have Nuun or Gatorade in my water bottle.

Nuun Water Bottle
Gatorade

I like all the flavors of Nuun, but really only like red Fruit Punch Gatorade.

4. Starbucks. My  favorite post-run fuel is a grande bold coffee from Starbucks (a must for an ice bath!) and one of their breakfast sandwiches.

Ragnar Relay Food Breakfast

I love the new ham and cheese sandwich!

Starbucks Breakfast

My usual is the low-fat turkey bacon, egg and cheese sandwich.

5. Eggs + Toast. If I’m eating breakfast at home, I usually have some variation of eggs and whole wheat toast. I also try to sneak in some vegetables. And cheese just makes everything better.

Egg Breakfast Ideas

Looking for more ideas to fuel your workout? Check out other favorite fuels through the Friday Five linkup hosted by Eat Pray Run DCMar on the Run and You Signed Up for What?!

How do you fuel your workouts?

If you workout in the morning, do you take time to eat first?

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19 Responses to 5 Ways To Fuel Your Workout

  1. I love the breakfast cookie idea. I use to eat the soft and chewy Belvita all the time!

  2. if i were running a race, my pre-fuel would always be oatmeal with banana, peanut butter, cinnamon, raisins, and honey! before i had my baby, i wouldn’t eat if i were working out (unless it was a long run). now that i’m nursing, eating is a MUST!

  3. April at RunTheGreatWideSomewhere says:

    I think kashi blueberry waffles and peanut butter is one of my very favorite breakfasts of all time! Sadly my stomach doesn’t like it right before a long run though.

  4. Coffee for sure. I like the idea of breakfast cookies! Usually overnight oats are my go-to fuel.

  5. jill conyers says:

    Coffee and my favorite overnight oats before long runs and races.

  6. Breakfast cookies are a great idea! I’m going to have to try them out.

  7. Kim says:

    I workout first thing in the early AM and like to have an empty stomach. My fueling has never been great but it works (unless I’m attempting 50 miles) for me.

    • Coco says:

      LOL, yes, you would need to eat for 50 miles! I can usually get through a normal workout on an empty stomach but not a hard one.

  8. Ethel says:

    haven’t joined a race yet but my favorite pre run breakfast is toasted sunny side up egg with half avocado on whole wheat toasted bread 🙂 I’m a beginner runner..I’m glad I found your blog

  9. Ethel says:

    I love eggs and toast pre run also! My favorite breakfast 🙂

  10. Some good suggestions there – must try and make the breakfast cookies, they look divine.

  11. Jennifer says:

    I’ll have to try making your breakfast cookies one day! They sound delicious.

  12. Coffee and peanut butter on toast gets me going!!!! Have a great weekend!

  13. Matilda says:

    The time and type of workout I do will determine what time of fuel I will consume.

    If I wake up first thing in the morning, I might have a handful of nuts, or half a banana before my workout.

    If my workout is after school drop off, then I have my normal breakfast (grain free porridge).

    I do what works for me. One time, I went out too soon after having breakfast and my legs wanted to go fast, but my tummy was saying “er no you don’t” so that was a good confirmation for me to stick with what I know.

  14. i love the Starbucks bfast sandwiches, my go to is the egg white and feta wrap.

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