Did you know that the food you eat before your yoga session makes a difference? Do you want to make the most of your yoga practice? We have compiled a list of our favorite 10 foods to eat before yoga to keep you feeling powerful and energized during class! Read on to find the perfect snack to keep your energy up until you hit the ground in Shavasana.
When should I eat food before my yoga session?
The body needs to have the proper energy to get through any type of strenuous physical movement. Yoga is no different. In fact, even mediation uses up a lot of energy just to stay focused! Maybe you practice yoga for weight loss or to reap many of the other benefits of yoga, like mental health. But proper nutrition and healthy eating are key to making the most of any physical activity.
Thirty minutes to an hour before class is the best time to eat before yoga. However, it depends on the food you choose to fuel up with. You can eat easy-to-digest foods, like fruit, at the last minute, about 30 minutes before your yoga session. Foods with protein or fat will keep you feeling more energized and powerful for longer. However, they will take longer to digest, and you should eat them about an hour before a yoga class to get the most benefits.
What kind of food should I eat before yoga?
A healthy diet consists of nutritious foods that have essential nutrients. They should also have a balance of protein, carbs, and fats. So the pre-yoga food you eat should fall into one of these healthy categories. Let’s consider what food you should eat before yoga to get the most out of your practice.
It is important to have a good pre-yoga routine. Including a healthy snack into your pre-class ritual ensures you get the most out of your class. You can enjoy a fantastic yoga session, feel energized the whole way through and stay focused on your workout.
However, if you are someone who loves snacking on junk food, before heading to the studio, take a warning. We are here to tell you that it is not ideal for your body. Please don’t even think about stopping for fast food before your next class! Scarfing down an order of fries or sugary donuts will only weigh you down. Yoga is challenging enough without intentionally eating food before yoga that will zap you of energy.
The best foods to eat before yoga
Yoga is a full-body workout, and your body needs a healthy snack that will provide energy to get you through. So without further ado, here are the 10 best foods to eat before yoga:
Feel powerful by eating the right food before yoga
1. Fresh Fruit
A high-fiber fruit, like an apple, is a perfect food to eat before yoga practice. I will give your liver a quick energy source. Try bananas, blueberries, or apples for a healthy pre-yoga snack. A pre-packaged fruit salad from a deli or coffee shop is easy to find. It is a perfect option if you are looking for snacks while on the go.
2. Yogurt
Yogurt is an excellent source of protein and calcium to help keep your muscles functioning optimally. It’s a gut-friendly food to eat before yoga. In addition, it will help to sustain hunger pangs until yoga class is over and the last chaturanga is behind you. Make sure to choose a low sugar option if you are counting calories.
3. Quinoa
Quinoa is one of the best foods to eat before yoga. It is a complete protein that will give you the energy you need to keep going. Additionally, it will help to avoid muscle fatigue halfway through your practice. It also contains magnesium, which is linked to decreased anxiety and better sleep habits. Keeping stress at bay can be a full-time job. So eating high-protein food before yoga, like quinoa, will make it even easier to focus on mindfulness. Quinoa is a great food to eat before yoga to stay energized and powerful for the whole class!
4. Protein bars
Consider a protein bar if you need quick pre-packaged snacks that you can keep in your bag. Pre-packaged snacks you can pick up on your way to class or toss in your bag are perfect ideas for foods to eat before yoga class. Protein helps build and repair muscles and sustain energy levels throughout your workout. Make sure to choose a low or zero-sugar and easy-to-digest protein for optimal digestion and performance during class. Eating protein-rich food before yoga class helps you stay full longer. It will also keep your energy levels consistent for a more extended time, keeping you feeling powerful and strong.
5. Avocados
Avocados are another healthy food to eat before a yoga class to keep you full. Healthy fats are great for keeping and maintaining a healthy weight. They are also full of magnesium and vitamins. Avocados are delicious, easy to break down, help lower cholesterol, and are good for your heart. Try chopping up half of an avocado with a handful of spinach and kale for a light salad. Toss in a handful of grapes and have a perfect pre-class snack.
6. Smoothies
A smoothie is a great food to eat before yoga class if you tend to get muscle cramps during practice. Try adding a small banana to a green smoothie for that extra potassium boost. You don’t want too much liquid moving around your stomach as you twist and turn. However, a small smoothie should be fine to get you through a regular yoga class.
7. Coconut Water
While coconut water is technically a liquid and not a food, it does offer electrolytes and can help beat dehydration. Sometimes hunger pains are actually signs of thirst and dehydration. So make sure you are well hydrated before class starts. Especially if your yoga practice takes place in a heated room!
8. Nuts
A handful of nuts is a great food to eat to tide you over during yoga. When you have a challenging physical activity like yoga planned for the day, reaching for nuts like almonds can help keep you feeling strong. Almonds are high in magnesium, a mineral often lost through sweat and causes cramping. Do you do hot yoga or take the class in hot temperatures? This might be the perfect snack to ensure you don’t sweat out this vital mineral.
9. Whole grain bread
Choose whole grain bread as a piece of toast with peanut butter, or make a light sandwich. It’s a perfect food to eat before yoga if you are starving and have room for more calories. Whole grains have the carbs you need to keep your energy up. Still, they are low on the glycemic index, so their energy is easily accessed and will help your endurance. Do you get weaker as the class goes on? Try to eat foods with whole grains before yoga. They will help you stay strong and powerful all the way until Shavasana.
10. Honey
Honey makes the list of our top 10 foods to eat before yoga. Studies show that eating honey before a workout kept blood sugar levels more stable than other carb sources. This means honey is a source of energy that lasts longer. Moreover, it provides more fuel than sports gels which are just straight glucose. However, honey is all-natural, while sports gel is processed and contains chemicals. Eat foods before yoga with honey by spreading it on a piece of whole grain toast. You can also add a teaspoon to your water for a homemade sports drink. Choose a raw and unfiltered version to get honey’s complete enzymes and benefits!
Takeaway
We hope this article has made you aware of the importance of eating healthy foods before your yoga class. The 10 best foods to eat before yoga are those that are easy to digest or with protein. They will keep you feeling powerful and energized during your next yoga session.
Try one off our list before your next yoga class and see how it improves your yoga practice!
Author Bio:
Hello! I’m Brooke Payne, and I’m a yoga instructor and writer. I’m passionate about helping people achieve their health and wellness goals. I believe that everyone has the potential to be healthy and strong. I also love sharing my knowledge and advice with other people. You can find me at Proper Renegade, where I share more ideas about natural living.
