Best foods to Eat before yoga

Best foods to Eat before yoga

Apples

"I'm a big fan of apples," says Ellen Barrett, a certified yoga instructor, Institute for Integrative Nutrition® Health Coach, and star of the Ellen Barrett Live: Grace + Gusto DVD. "They hydrate, give a little sugar jolt, and they clean your teeth," she says. "They are also a great source of vitamin C, and contain fiber, which can help hold you over until after you've finished holding tree pose."

Almonds

Grab a handful of almonds before class to help boost your energy and starve off hunger, Barrett says. Almonds contain vitamin E, potassium, and magnesium, which means you'll have plenty of stamina to stay in boat pose (just be sure to eat them plain and unsalted to maximize their energizing benefits).

Oatmeal

Half a cup of oatmeal makes a good, light pre-practice snack, says Tamal Dodge, star of the Element: Hatha & Flow Yoga DVD. "You want something that burns easy and will keep you tied over till the end of your class but won't make you ill while practicing."

Pears

Most of our experts agreed that fruit is a great pre-yoga snack, but the type of fruit you eat is also important. The low acidity level of pears make them a smart selection for a pre-mat snack. Plus, pears are high in fiber, which means they are more likely to keep you satisfied until your next meal.

Raisins

Raisins are a great source of natural sugar that will give you energy for your yoga practice, says Sharon Richter, a registered dietitian in New York City. (We just love that they are so portable and gym-bag friendly).

Bananas

No surprise here, potassium-rich bananas make a great pre-workout snack, but they are great for yogis too. Potassium works with sodium to help keep your body properly hydrated, Richter says, making this snack super a-peel-ing before that heated Bikram yoga class that will have you sweating buckets.

Prunes

Another potassium packed (and easily portable) snack, a single ounce serving of prunes provides almost 300mg of potassium. And contrary to popular belief, a small serving won't have you running to the restroom (a 1 oz serving has less than 1g of fiber), so they are safe to eat before class.

Dried Apricots

Dried apricots contain natural sugars to help boost your energy, Richter says, but lack the acidity of say, citrus fruits, which can sometimes cause heartburn during activity. (Plus, they are an easy snack to toss in your bag).

Melon

Melon is a water-rich fruit that is also low in acid that can help you stay hydrated and energized (sans heartburn) during your warrior poses.

Greek Yogurt

As long as you don't have any problems digesting dairy, a little yogurt can make a good pre-yoga snack option. Try a small serving of Greek yogurt for a protein-rich snack that is rich in lactose, a naturally occurring sugar that will give you sustained energy, Richter says.

source:shape.com

 

Almonds

Grab a handful of almonds before class to help boost your energy and starve off hunger, Barrett says. Almonds contain vitamin E, potassium, and magnesium, which means you'll have plenty of stamina to stay in boat pose (just be sure to eat them plain and unsalted to maximize their energizing benefits).

Oatmeal

Half a cup of oatmeal makes a good, light pre-practice snack, says Tamal Dodge, star of the Element: Hatha & Flow Yoga DVD. "You want something that burns easy and will keep you tied over till the end of your class but won't make you ill while practicing."

Pears

Most of our experts agreed that fruit is a great pre-yoga snack, but the type of fruit you eat is also important. The low acidity level of pears make them a smart selection for a pre-mat snack. Plus, pears are high in fiber, which means they are more likely to keep you satisfied until your next meal.

Raisins

Raisins are a great source of natural sugar that will give you energy for your yoga practice, says Sharon Richter, a registered dietitian in New York City. (We just love that they are so portable and gym-bag friendly).

Bananas

No surprise here, potassium-rich bananas make a great pre-workout snack, but they are great for yogis too. Potassium works with sodium to help keep your body properly hydrated, Richter says, making this snack super a-peel-ing before that heated Bikram yoga class that will have you sweating buckets.

Prunes

Another potassium packed (and easily portable) snack, a single ounce serving of prunes provides almost 300mg of potassium. And contrary to popular belief, a small serving won't have you running to the restroom (a 1 oz serving has less than 1g of fiber), so they are safe to eat before class.

Dried Apricots

Dried apricots contain natural sugars to help boost your energy, Richter says, but lack the acidity of say, citrus fruits, which can sometimes cause heartburn during activity. (Plus, they are an easy snack to toss in your bag).

Melon

Melon is a water-rich fruit that is also low in acid that can help you stay hydrated and energized (sans heartburn) during your warrior poses.

Greek Yogurt

As long as you don't have any problems digesting dairy, a little yogurt can make a good pre-yoga snack option. Try a small serving of Greek yogurt for a protein-rich snack that is rich in lactose, a naturally occurring sugar that will give you sustained energy, Richter says.

source:shape.com