5 foods you must have before hitting the gym

A handful of almonds is considered a great pre-workout snack as they contain 15 essential nutrients, including vitamin E, potassium, fibre and calcium which not only strengthen your immune system but also aid in weight loss, and maintain heart health by maintaining cholesterol levels. 10 almonds contain about 78 calories and give 7g of protein to your body. If losing weight is your goal, adding almonds to your diet is a good idea.

Eating an apple can be a great option. Apples have moderate amount of sugar which gives you the energy needed during the workout. It has been shown that apples boost endurance by making more oxygen available to the lungs which enhances workout performance.

Bananas contain high potassium content and help reduce the risk of muscle cramps during exercise. Because of its high magnesium and potassium content, bananas are the best way to replenish the minerals in your body. It helps relax the muscles and protects you from any further episodes of leg cramps. Bananas also provide instant energy.

An individual can have a brown bread sandwich also before hitting the gym. You can make the sandwich with almond butter and marmalade or jam as this provides a good balance of protein, carbohydrates and necessary fat.

One can opt for a bowl of low-fat yoghurt with a handful of blueberries, raspberries or blackberries. These are an excellent source of nutrients which protect muscles from radical damage that can be caused by excessive exercise.