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The Pre-Workout Fuel You Didn’t Know You Needed Until Now
January 3, 2020
sponsored by Wedderspoon
Need some quick energy before a workout? Try a little HONEY.
Honey is made of simple carbohydrates and provides an easily absorbed supply of energy. And if you can, it’s best when raw and/or of the Manuka variety, because commercial honey is often heavily processed and excessive heat destroys the natural enzymes, vitamins, and minerals in honey. So if you didn’t know, now you do!
For years, I thought I NEEDED to have food in my stomach before a workout. I felt like I couldn’t train on an empty stomach—but what I learned, is that I like to eat out of habit and for comfort and security. When I let that go, and let my workout performance guide me, I realized that my performance improved when I ate LESS before a workout.
I realized that I feel best when I grab something light, to stay satiated and for energy. Some days it’s 1/2 banana and 1 tb almond butter; other days its a small portion of oatmeal and almond butter; other times it’s just a healthy-ish preworkout drink and some Manuka honey! It really just depends on how I am feeling, and I encourage you to do what’s best for your body.
Experiment, evaluate your performance, and adjust. These days I keep my Wedderspoon on-the-go packets in my purse and gym bag at all times. They are perfect in a pinch, great to shut my kids up during tantrums (#momhack), and here’s something else—Manuka honey is great for the immune system, so if you feel a sore throat or cold coming on, some Manuka honey will likely do the trick!
WHAT DID YOU THINK?
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Rollerblading is my main form of intense exercise, and on longer sessions, which can easily surpass 3 hours long including being halted at red lights, bathroom breaks, etc, I do bring a PBHBJ along as a mid-workout refuel.
A few years ago, a friend of mine convinced me to try adding honey to my peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, some of which already had banana slices on them, and doing so has made them even better. You will NOT be disappointed by this amazing combination.
And to think that it was through a post on Brownberry’s Instagram account that I discovered this blog.
That’s great to hear, Pete! I’m glad it works for you, and that sounds delicious. Thanks for your comment!
I don’t think that I’ve ever heard of Manuka honey until coming across this article. But I can definitely say that raw honey is my go-to, specifically raw and unfiltered wildflower honey.
My favorite use for said honey is putting a layer of honey between two layers of no-stir natural creamy peanut butter (peanuts and peanut oil pre-mixed) on a slice of Brownberry Whole Grains 100% Whole Wheat Bread, banana slices on top of the second layer of peanut butter, and seedless blackberry jam on another slice of Brownberry Whole Grains 100% Whole Wheat Bread. Put the jelly/jam-covered bread – jelly/jam-side down – over the peanut butter, honey and banana-covered bread, gently press the two slices together, serve the rest of the banana as a side item, and the result is the absolute best homemade sandwich that you will ever sink your teeth into. And it’s completely customizable according to your personal preference.
I just finished making one, now to eat. *takes a bite* Mmm, so good.
That sounds great, Pete! I’m glad to hear that works for you 🙂