What You Can Eat Before A Yoga Class

Yoga involves a lot of movements, twists, turns, and postures. The last thing you want to do before a yoga class is to munch on something heavy. It is almost as if you take a rollercoaster ride after having a heavy creamy pasta or double cheese burger. You just cannot do that!

However, since yoga requires lots of physical energy and mental focus, you must ensure that you have enough fuel in your body. In fact, when you perform yoga with an empty stomach, you will not be able to get the best out of your workout. Muscles only grow and get toned when your body has enough energy to build new muscle.

In order to get the most out of your yoga sessions, it is best to eat light meals and foods at least two hours before a class. Let’s take a look at the top ten foods that you can snack on before your yoga class to get the best outcome while also feeling energetic.

1.     Almonds

If you want your body to feel energetic during a yoga class, but not too full, have handful almonds before the class. Almonds are packed with potassium, vitamin E, and magnesium, all the elements that help boost stamina and strength. Don’t go for the fancy versions of almonds and consume them in raw form which is the healthiest. The energy you get from almonds will keep you still in the most crucial poses. You can eat almonds 30 minutes before your yoga class.

2.     Smoothies

Smoothies are healthy drinks that taste delicious. Pick out a couple of fruits and veggies, blend them together with a little almond milk, and enjoy the drink. However, when it comes to smoothies, it is quite easy to go overboard with the ingredients. If you don’t want your digestion to be a messy business, keep your smoothie simple with only a couple of ingredients. You can blend kale in almond milk and have it two hours prior to your class so you don’t feel extra heavy. You can drink a smoothie an hour before your yoga class.

3.     Bananas

Bananas are rich in potassium and have the ability to keep your body hydrated during intense yoga sessions. Therefore, choose bananas as your pre-class snack and enjoy the workout without feeling drained. You can eat a couple of bananas 30 minutes before your yoga class.

4.     Greek Yogurt

If you haven’t heard of the health benefits of Greek Yogurt, you must be living under a rock. Greek Yogurt is great for improving digestion and is rich in protein and lactose. Its lactose content is helpful in providing your body with sustained energy required for intense workouts. You can eat greek yogurt an hour before your yoga class.

5.     Watermelon

When you are taking yoga classes, you need to stay super hydrated and what better way to do so than consume watermelon?

Watermelon contains high water content that if consumed before a yoga class can help keep your body feeling fresh. Watermelon will keep you active throughout the class, avoiding any type of dizziness. You can eat watermelon an hour before your yoga class.

6.     Leafy Greens

The best way to not feel too heavy before your yoga class is to snack on green vegetables like kale, romaine, spinach, and more. What makes leafy greens energy packed snacks is their high vitamin B content and many more nutritional components. Having a bowl of leafy green vegetables will help alkalise your blood while also oxygenating it for improved breathing during exercise. You can indulge in some leafy greens 30 minutes before your yoga class.

7.     Fruit & Nut Bars

Fruit and nut bars are great pre-class snacks that contain sugar to help boost energy. However, make sure you don’t select a bar that is too heavy. A bar that falls between 200 to 300 calories is ideal to have prior to your yoga class. You can go for a fruit and nut bar one and a half hour before your yoga class.

8.     Oatmeal

Grains are packed with nutrition and energy, just the things your body requires to prepare for an intense yoga session. Oatmeal contains magnesium and soluble fibres that are both components that help boost energy levels in the body, preventing muscle cramping. A bowl of oatmeal will also provide vitamin B to your body. Make sure you consume oatmeal at least an hour before your class.

9.     Pears

The best pre-class meals are in the form of fruits and veggies. Pears is one such fruit that you can enjoy as a pre yoga class snack that are rich in fibre, helping you feel energetic and active. You can eat a pear 30 minutes before your yoga class. However, if you have a slow metabolism, it would be best to eat it at least an hour before the class.

10.     Apples

You don’t have to make your pre yoga class snack complicated. By simply having an apple half hour before the class, you will get the energy you need to make complex body movements. Apples contain fibre, vitamin C, and sugar, all of the components that keep your body feeling great during workout sessions.

The idea of having a pre-class meal is to support your body just enough so it can easily perform the crucial chakras and postures of yoga.