What You Should Be Eating And Drinking Before And After Your Training?
These Habits Will Have You Prepared To Tackle The Mat!
Practicing Yoga will increase your overall body strength and flexibility. However, if you are not providing your body with the proper nutrients it needs to recover, you will not develop and improve in your practice. You will also feel weak during your workout and throughout the day.
The following guide by Samantha Wilson explains what you should and should not be eating and drinking, before getting on the mat, and when your practice is over, and you are in recovery mode.
Read on to see what how you should be preparing your body for Yoga practice:
What To Drink Before You Practice
DO drink at least 8 ounces of water 30 minutes before class. If you are attending an evening class, try to drink half your body weight in water throughout the day prior to your class. If morning yoga is your thing, try to drink 8-16 ounces before class. If it’s hard for you to drink that much water, try tea or adding fruit to your water to give it more flavor.
DON’T drink a lot of caffeine prior to class
Coffee is dehydrating, and if hot yoga is your preference, you need to focus on hydrating your body.
What To Eat Before You Practice
DO eat a small snack 60-90 minutes before class if you are attending an evening class. If you are going to a morning class, eat half a banana or a handful of berries at least 30+ minutes prior. If you don’t have time to eat before your morning class, drink a glass of almond milk or juice to give you some sugar and calories for energy.
DON’T eat a large meal prior to class. If your stomach is full, you will have a hard time engaging your core, poses will be harder to get into, and you risk getting an upset stomach. I like to keep deviled eggs in my fridge so I can eat a few before class for quick protein that doesn’t strain my body to digest.
What to Drink After Class
DO drink 8-16 ounces of electrolyte water or coconut water to replenish your body, especially if you just spent 60 minutes sweating in a hot yoga class.
I noticed a large difference in my energy level when I drank electrolytes after my hot yoga classes.
DON’T uncork a bottle of wine or head to happy hour. Not only will you become intoxicated extremely fast if you indulge immediately after class, but you will suffer the consequences of a headache and some jitters if you don’t properly rehydrate your body first.
What to Eat After Class
DO eat a nutritious meal after class. Make sure you are getting enough protein throughout the day so your muscles can repair and grow.
DON’T reach right into the cookie jar! While sugar is actually an important thing to consume after working out (insulin aids in repairing muscles), you want to make sure you are consuming unrefined sugars, such as oatmeal.
I hope you found these tips helpful. What do you eat and drink before and after your yoga sessions? Share your habits with us below!
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