What to Eat Before Gym in the Morning: 8 Nutritious Ideas and Recipes

Introduction

Heading to the gym first thing in the morning? It’s important to fuel up with something nutritious before you hit the weights or the treadmill. Eating the right foods will help you power through your workout and get the most out of it. In this article, we’ll explore eight easy-to-make breakfast ideas that will give you the energy you need to tackle your morning workout.

Power-Packed Smoothies to Fuel Your Workout

Smoothies make a great pre-gym meal because they are packed with nutrients and easy to digest. They provide your body with healthy carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that will give you sustained energy throughout your workout. And if you’re short on time, you can make them in just a few minutes.

When making a pre-workout smoothie, it’s important to include ingredients that will provide you with carbohydrates for energy and protein for muscle growth and repair. Some good options include fruits, yogurt, nut butters, oats, and chia seeds. You can also add supplements like whey protein or creatine for an extra boost.

Here are some suggested smoothie recipes to get you started:

• Berry Banana Smoothie: Blend ½ cup frozen berries, 1 banana, ½ cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon almond butter, and 1 cup of almond milk.
• Green Machine Smoothie: Blend 1 banana, ½ cup spinach, ½ avocado, 1 tablespoon hemp seeds, 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder, and 1 cup of almond milk.
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie: Blend 1 banana, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder, and 1 cup of almond milk.

Overnight Oats for a Pre-Gym Boost

Overnight oats are another great option for a pre-gym breakfast. They are high in fiber and complex carbohydrates, which will give you sustained energy throughout your workout. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make — all you have to do is mix together your favorite oats, milk, and other ingredients the night before and let it sit in the fridge overnight.

When making overnight oats, you should include ingredients that will provide you with carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats. Good options include rolled oats, nuts and seeds, nut butters, fruits, and Greek yogurt. You can also add supplements like protein powder or matcha powder for an extra boost.

Here are some suggested overnight oats recipes to get you started:

• Banana Nut Overnight Oats: Mix together ½ cup rolled oats, ¼ cup chopped walnuts, 1 banana (sliced), 1 tablespoon honey, ½ cup Greek yogurt, and 1 cup almond milk. Let it sit in the fridge overnight.
• Strawberry Coconut Overnight Oats: Mix together ½ cup rolled oats, ¼ cup shredded coconut, ½ cup sliced strawberries, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, ½ cup Greek yogurt, and 1 cup almond milk. Let it sit in the fridge overnight.
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Overnight Oats: Mix together ½ cup rolled oats, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon honey, ½ cup Greek yogurt, and 1 cup almond milk. Let it sit in the fridge overnight.

Healthy Breakfast Burritos For On-the-Go Eaters

If you’re looking for something portable and easy to eat on the go, breakfast burritos are a great option. They’re packed with protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates, which will give you sustained energy throughout your workout. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make in just a few minutes.

When making a breakfast burrito, it’s important to include ingredients that will provide you with carbohydrates for energy and protein for muscle growth and repair. Good options include eggs, black beans, bell peppers, onions, spinach, cheese, and salsa. You can also add supplements like protein powder or matcha powder for an extra boost.

Here are some suggested breakfast burrito recipes to get you started:

• Veggie Burrito: Scramble 2 eggs in a pan. Add ½ cup cooked black beans, ½ cup diced bell peppers, ½ cup cooked onions, and ½ cup cooked spinach. Wrap the mixture in a whole wheat tortilla and top with cheese and salsa.
• Spicy Chicken Burrito: Scramble 2 eggs in a pan. Add ½ cup cooked chicken, ½ cup diced jalapenos, ½ cup cooked onions, and ½ cup cooked spinach. Wrap the mixture in a whole wheat tortilla and top with cheese and salsa.
• Bean and Cheese Burrito: Scramble 2 eggs in a pan. Add ½ cup cooked black beans, ½ cup cooked onions, and ½ cup cooked spinach. Wrap the mixture in a whole wheat tortilla and top with cheese and salsa.

Quick and Easy Protein Pancakes

Pancakes are a delicious way to start your day, and they make a great pre-gym meal. They provide your body with healthy carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that will give you sustained energy throughout your workout. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make in just a few minutes.

When making protein pancakes, it’s important to include ingredients that will provide you with carbohydrates for energy and protein for muscle growth and repair. Good options include eggs, oats, nut butters, bananas, and Greek yogurt. You can also add supplements like protein powder or matcha powder for an extra boost.

Here are some suggested protein pancake recipes to get you started:

• Banana Oat Pancakes: Whisk together 2 eggs, ½ cup oats, 1 banana (mashed), 1 tablespoon almond butter, and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Cook the pancakes in a greased pan over medium heat.
• Blueberry Protein Pancakes: Whisk together 2 eggs, ½ cup oats, ½ cup blueberries, 1 tablespoon almond butter, 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder, and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Cook the pancakes in a greased pan over medium heat.
• Chocolate Chip Protein Pancakes: Whisk together 2 eggs, ½ cup oats, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon almond butter, 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder, and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Cook the pancakes in a greased pan over medium heat.

Greek Yogurt Parfaits with Fruits and Granola

Yogurt parfaits are a great option for a pre-gym meal because they are packed with protein and complex carbohydrates. They provide your body with healthy carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that will give you sustained energy throughout your workout. And if you’re short on time, you can make them in just a few minutes.

When making a yogurt parfait, it’s important to include ingredients that will provide you with carbohydrates for energy and protein for muscle growth and repair. Good options include Greek yogurt, fruits, nuts and seeds, nut butters, and granola. You can also add supplements like protein powder or matcha powder for an extra boost.

Here are some suggested yogurt parfait recipes to get you started:

• Berry Parfait: Layer ½ cup Greek yogurt, ½ cup mixed berries, 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, 2 tablespoons shredded coconut, and 2 tablespoons granola in a bowl.
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Parfait: Layer ½ cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 2 tablespoons chopped almonds, and 2 tablespoons granola in a bowl.
• Tropical Parfait: Layer ½ cup Greek yogurt, ½ cup diced pineapple, ½ cup diced mango, 2 tablespoons chopped macadamia nuts, 2 tablespoons shredded coconut, and 2 tablespoons granola in a bowl.

Whole Grain Toast with Nut Butter and Banana

If you’re looking for something quick and easy, whole grain toast with nut butter and banana is a great option. It provides your body with healthy carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that will give you sustained energy throughout your workout. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make in just a few minutes.

When making a toast, it’s important to include ingredients that will provide you with carbohydrates for energy and protein for muscle growth and repair. Good options include whole grain bread, nut butters, bananas, and chia seeds. You can also add supplements like protein powder or matcha powder for an extra boost.

Here are some suggested toast recipes to get you started:

• Almond Butter Toast: Spread 2 tablespoons almond butter on two slices of whole grain toast. Top with sliced banana and sprinkle with chia seeds.
• Peanut Butter Toast: Spread 2 tablespoons peanut butter on two slices of whole grain toast. Top with sliced banana and sprinkle with chia seeds.
• Hazelnut Butter Toast: Spread 2 tablespoons hazelnut butter on two slices of whole grain toast. Top with sliced banana and sprinkle with chia seeds.

High-Protein Energy Bites

Energy bites are a great pre-gym snack because they are packed with protein and complex carbohydrates. They provide your body with healthy carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that will give you sustained energy throughout your workout. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make in just a few minutes.

When making energy bites, it’s important to include ingredients that will provide you with carbohydrates for energy and protein for muscle growth and repair. Good options include oats, nuts and seeds, nut butters, dates, and cocoa powder. You can also add supplements like protein powder or matcha powder for an extra boost.

Here are some suggested energy bite recipes to get you started:

• Almond Butter Energy Bites: Mix together ½ cup oats, 2 tablespoons almond butter, 4 dates (chopped), 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, and 2 tablespoons chia seeds. Form into balls and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Peanut Butter Energy Bites: Mix together ½ cup oats, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 4 dates (chopped), 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, and 2 tablespoons chia seeds. Form into balls and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Cashew Butter Energy Bites: Mix together ½ cup oats, 2 tablespoons cashew butter, 4 dates (chopped), 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, and 2 tablespoons chia seeds. Form into balls and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Conclusion

Eating something before heading to the gym is essential for optimizing your workout. There are many nutritious options that you can easily make in the morning, such as smoothies, overnight oats, breakfast burritos, protein pancakes, yogurt parfaits, toast with nut butter and banana, and energy bites. All of these options will provide you with the energy you need to tackle your morning workout.

Try out these recipes for yourself and see which ones work best for you.