The last thing you want to do is jump into a pool if you feel full because you have just eaten a big meal. Nevertheless, you certainly shouldn’t starve yourself either, as you won’t have the energy needed for your workout. It is important to get the right nutrition before you go for a swim and thus you need to carefully consider the snacks you choose to eat. Keeping that in mind, continue reading to discover five of the best snacks to consume before you dive into a swimming pool.
A large banana – When choosing a snack to consume before swimming, you need something that is going to give you a good boost of energy, and this is exactly what a banana will do. You should also look for foods that are smaller, high GI carbohydrates. GI refers to the Glycemic Index, which measures how fast it takes for foods to break down and turn into glucose. If a food has a high GI, it means it breaks down and turns to glucose quickly, meaning the energy will be more readily available. A banana is a small, high GI carbohydrate, and thus it is a good choice for a snack before a swim. Another reason why consuming a banana is a good choice is because this is a fruit that is packed with potassium, which is an electrolyte that is lost during sweat. It’s also really convenient and does not require any preparation on your part.
A very small portion of wholemeal rice or pasta – Carbohydrates will help you to concentrate on your swim and improve performance. This is because you will benefit from a small release of energy while you are swimming, and as a consequence, this will improve the duration of your swim. However, you do need to ensure you only have a small portion of such foods, otherwise, you can find yourself feeling bloated. It’s also advisable to give yourself an hour before jumping into the pool once you have eaten rice or pasta.
A protein bar – If you are almost ready to go swimming and you need a quick snack, a protein bar is an excellent choice, and this is because they contain a great balance of protein, carbs and fat. This nutritional combination will ensure you get all of the good stuff you need to fuel your swim. While it can be tempting to skip the snack and dive straight into the pool, you will find yourself lacking in energy and you will probably be more focused on your hunger than swimming. Instead, a protein bar can put those hunger pains at bay and give you a much-needed boost of energy. Experts in herbal medicine can recommend natural protein bars to enjoy.
A smoothie – Instead of consuming solid food, a smoothie is a great way to ensure your body gets all of the minerals and nourishment it needs before you go for a swim. But, why opt for liquid food instead of solid? Quite simply, it will be easier on your digestive tract, and thus smoothies are less likely to make you feel bloated or have a negative impact on your stomach while you are swimming. You can make your smoothies with water, juices or nut milk, and you can add various fruits and protein powder to give you all of the protein and carbs you need. Why not start off with a strawberry and banana smoothie?
Fish – Fish is a great example of a lean protein that is going to give your body enough fuel for swimming and is easy to digest at the same time. Other examples include low-fat dairy products and lean red meat, yet fish does tend to be a lot easier on the stomach.
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