Pre-Workout Snack:The Best Nuts to Eat

Today, more people than ever are prioritising their health and fitness, with many becoming gym regulars. However, one area where many still fall short is food and nutrition. Did you know that 80% of your fitness results come from your diet, while only 20% come from your actual workouts?

This makes your pre-workout meal crucial, as it provides the energy and fuel needed to power through your workouts. There are endless pre-workout meal options out there, but nuts and seeds stand out as a great pre-training meal. Nuts are convenient, delicious, and packed with energy and nutrients.

Read on to discover the best nuts to fuel your next gym session:

Cashews:

Cashew nuts are best for pre-workout because they have the highest carbs of all nuts and the lowest fat content as well. A handful of cashews, or 20 grams, contains 122 calories, 4.1 grams of protein, 3.8 grams of carbohydrates, and 10 grams of fat. These fats are healthy fats, which provide energy for your workout, while the protein helps in cell repair and muscle recovery.

Almonds:

Almonds are usually people's favourite nuts to snack on; they are not only tasty but extremely nutritious as well. A handful of almonds has 162 calories, 14 grams of unsaturated fat, and 6 grams of protein.

They are also brimming with magnesium, B vitamins (essential for muscle health, cell repair, and overall well-being), and vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative stress caused by exercise. Almonds are also known to produce the mood-boosting hormone dopamine.

Walnuts:

Walnuts are full of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for the effective functioning of the brain and the heart. They also contain vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, which can help fight heart disease and oxidative damage. They can help reduce inflammation as well.

Sunflower seeds:

Sunflower seeds are loaded with thiamine, which supports muscle and neurological health. They also have a good amount of protein, which helps in recovery after muscle breakdown during the workout. They are also overflowing with vitamin B and selenium, which improve the body's ability to absorb protein.

Pistachios:

One serving of pistachios, or 30 grams, has the same protein content as one egg and is also rich in essential amino acids. They contain potassium, vitamin K, and B6. The benefits of pistachio nuts include speeding up metabolism and stimulating weight loss.

Peanuts:

Peanuts top the list for the most amount of protein per serving; they contain 25 grams of protein per 100 grams (and yes, they are not technically nuts, but legumes). They are also full of vitamins and minerals; the most well-known of these is biotin, which is essential for hair, nails, and skin. Your body requires biotin to metabolise carbohydrates, fats, amino acids, and the building blocks of proteins.

Brazil Nuts:

These are the seeds of giant rainforest trees native to Brazil. They are the easiest to identify given their enormous size, and consuming just one Brazil nut completes your daily selenium requirement. Selenium helps protect your cells from damage, fights off infection, and supports your thyroid, the gland responsible for controlling metabolism. 

Brazil nuts are rich in protein, healthy fats, fiber, and several micronutrients. Their high-fat content makes them the perfect snack for athletes and people looking to bulk up.

Conclusion:

Nuts are a fantastic pre-workout snack, offering essential nutrients and energy to boost your fitness performance. They are versatile and perfect snacks for people on the go, packed with healthy fats, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

While nuts are great, they can be low in carbohydrates and might not be the easiest to consume in large quantities on a daily basis. A perfect alternative is Yellow Spoon dry fruit powder. It provides the goodness of nuts in an easy-to-use form, perfect for smoothies, cereals, or pre-workout shakes. It is all natural and contains zero sugar, making it suitable for all ages. Enhance your nutrition and power your workouts with Yellow Spoon dry fruit powder.