Keep Your Resolution: Why a BCB Bagel is the Perfect Pre- or Post-Workout Snack - Big City Bagel Cafe (2024)

FAQs

Is a bagel a good pre-workout snack? ›

"If you eat something before, you shouldn't be that hungry right after," said DiCesare. "If you're just doing an hour of cardio or one class, you should be all right, and then have a normal meal after. "Optimally, the best thing to eat before you work out is an apple, a banana, a bagel or some toast, and water.

Whole wheat bagels are packed with complex carbs and are a great option for refueling. Reload with an all-natural, fiber rich cereal in skim milk. Cereals with nuts offer an extra source of protein.

Two crucial aspects of sports nutrition are the pre-workout snack and post-workout recovery, which provide the necessary fuel to optimise training and enhance recovery. Not all foods are similar and, in this article, I want to shed some light on the best options, which are not only protein shakes and bars!

Bagels loaded with nuts and seeds on top may appear super healthy, but may have as much as 100 calories more calories and more fat. The good news is that the calories from bagels are nutritious and good for you (when you forgo the chocolate chips or sugary toppings), so you can make room for them in your diet.

Bagels can be a part of a healthy breakfast if eaten with other foods that provide an overall nutritious and balanced meal. To enjoy bagels as part of a fulfilling breakfast, consider incorporating healthy fats as a bagel spread, such as avocado, hummus, or peanut butter.

Whole grains take longer to digest and will slowly release into your bloodstream, giving you a steady supply of energy. If you think whole-wheat bagels lack flavor, you can top it off with some peanut butter, eggs, or cheese—any of these options will add a few grams of protein to your snack as well.

You Might Feel More Energized

The average plain medium bagel provides about 56 grams of carbs. All carbs offer energy, but not all carbs are created equal. Many bagels are made from refined flour, which your body digests quickly, spiking blood sugar.

“My general rule of thumb for my athletes is to wait an hour before exercising. And you want to keep the amount of food to about the size of your fist, not the size of a football.”

Eat a meal that has both carbohydrates and protein in it within two hours of your workout if possible. Eating after you work out can help muscles recover and replace their glycogen stores. Think about having a snack if your meal is more than two hours away.

If it's an easy-going, 30-minute session, you may be able to get away with skipping a pre-workout snack. “But if you're going for an hour or more, you really should get something to eat,” says Patton. Working out on an empty stomach also could cost you what you're trying to build — namely, muscle.

Is bread good before a workout? ›

Taking longer to digest means the energy will last throughout the workout. If eating less than an hour before a workout, white bread may be the better choice because it will digest quickly. Eating white bread will provide energy at the start of a workout, but the energy won't last for longer workouts.

It might be tempting, but skip the drive-through on the way to the gym. Chances are, you'll feel uncomfortably full, and the fat and sugar in most fast food items will keep you from getting the most out of your workout.

If you need to pack a snack for your child to eat before an after-school game or practice, Sentongo recommends something low in glycemic index and starchy, like graham crackers, whole grain bagel/bread or a banana.

Taking longer to digest means the energy will last throughout the workout. If eating less than an hour before a workout, white bread may be the better choice because it will digest quickly. Eating white bread will provide energy at the start of a workout, but the energy won't last for longer workouts.

Processed grains like a plain bagel, white bread, or pasta are safe race day eats.