Even though paleo diet means avoiding grains, refined sugars and vegetable oils, it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get loads of energy before your workout. Leading an active lifestyle is more than possible with this type of diet because it provides you with various veggies and gluten-free food. There are excellent paleo recipes for simple snacks that will give you the protein you need and boost your energy.
Helen Bradford is a journalist student who I found to have a wealth of knowledge in the paleo arena and she loves to share that knowledge. Upon getting to know her it was a slam-dunk in allowing her to share some of this with my visitors. I am sure you will find this a GOOD read with plenty of tips you can definitely use in your lifestyle choices.
1. Chicken and sweet potato
Preparing four to six ounces of chicken is the amount you need before a hard workout. The point is not to stuff yourself too much but to get just the right amount of fat and protein to make it through the whole workout. If you’re cooking chicken the day before the workout, make sure you save a few pieces for the next day.
Accompanying the chicken, sweet potatoes will provide you with low carbs that will give you the energy you need. If you can, try eating them raw – that way, you’ll manage to feel their mildly sweet taste and enjoy big bites.
2. Celery sticks with sunflower butter
Veggies are a very important part of the paleo diet. Even though many vegetables aren’t recommended to have just before the workout, celery sticks are an exception to this rule. It’s pretty simple – just cut and wash celery sticks, remove the leaves and cut the ends. Spread sunflower butter throughout the sticks and you’re done! If you like, you can top it with raisins or natural honey to add more flavor to it.
3. Blueberries, hardboiled egg and an apple
Maybe this doesn’t sound like a typical snack because it consists of three separate food items but the truth is we do this quite often if we follow the paleo diet. This also may seem plain and boring but the truth is – these three food items will give you everything you need to have a successful workout. A handful of blueberries, one or two hardboiled eggs and an organic apple will take you 10 minutes to prepare and eat. In return, you’ll give your best during the workout.
4. A protein shake with almond
This snack is without a doubt one of the quickest and most effective ones to prepare and eat. One thing to have in mind when preparing a protein shake is to do it some 45 minutes before the workout so that it can be properly digested. The great thing about protein shakes is that it’s possible to get ahold of the ones without artificial sweeteners or excessive sugar. In the paleo diet, it’s best to go the simple way – opt for a sugar-free whey protein shake by adding two scoops of it to a cup. It will provide you with approximately 35 grams of protein, which is almost an adequate daily amount. Mix it with vanilla flavored almond milk, one scoop of almond butter and finish with a teaspoon of honey (of course, natural honey, preferably locally made). These ingredients will make a total of around 40 grams of protein, the ideal daily amount. Have this shake and you’ll feel energized in less than two minutes!
5. Peach mixed with Brazil nuts
A juicy organic peach with two handfuls of Brazil nuts is just what you need before the workout if you had a big lunch before that.
Brazil nuts are slightly high in calories (but not too much) and rich with good fats (also called mono-saturated fats). It’s enough to have one or two handfuls of them to get an ideal mix of proteins and fat to prepare you for your exercise. Brazil nuts are also rich with selenium, a mineral proved to raise testosterone levels – just what you need before starting sweating!
On the other hand, the peach will keep your blood sugar in check while providing you with fructose necessary for a really active workout. So, this sounds like a perfect combination of energy boost at the beginning and long-lasting energy to make it through the whole workout routine.
As you can see, leading a healthy lifestyle through the paleo diet also means being able to incorporate paleo snacks into your pre-workout routine. All it takes is a bit of research and you’ll always have a great paleo diet snack ready.
About the Author:
Helen Bradford is a journalism student who always seeks new ideas to write about. She enjoys blogging about beauty, health and style trends for women. When she’s not writing, she spends her spare time being active through fitness and traveling.
If you have any questions or suggestions just email me at Tina (at) Paleomazing.com.
I'm a cookbook-collecting, recipe-developing paleo junkie, and I live in the kitchen. I'm hooked on farmers' markets, traveling, eating healthy, and hiking until my legs scream at me. There's nothing better than hanging out with family and good friends. I have fun and sleeping is just plain boring. Read more About Tina Turbin.
