5 tips to help fuel your next workout

A healthy diet is essential for providing the energy we need to power through daily activities, whether it’s a session in the gym or a long day at the office.

Inadequate nourishment, including lack of essential nutrients like carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats, can leave you feeling sluggish. But don't be so quick to fill your stomach with just anything. Eating the wrong foods can cause weight gain, in addition to gas, bloating and discomfort—none of which you want to experience at the gym.

It's important to remember: Before you reach for a pre-gym snack, consider the type of workout you're gearing up for. Light or low-intensity workouts, like a 30- to 60-minute walk, don’t require an additional meal or snack. An eating plan that includes a combination of fruits and veggies, lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats is enough.

Higher-intensity exercise may require some extra fuel. Collette Sinnott, RD, a registered dietitian with MountainView Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, breaks down some of the best and worst ways to prepare for your next workout.

And if you're new to exercise, chat with a healthcare provider (HCP) about pre-existing conditions, like diabetes. A good sweat can alter your blood sugar levels, and an HCP will be able to offer the best tips, tricks, and bites for you.