Quick Snacks To Fire Up Your Workout

Kitty Finklea, R.D.

When is your best time to exercise?

Some people prefer an early morning workout while others like to workout at lunch or after work.

No matter when you work out, proper fuel can make the difference between an energizing and a draining workout. Properly planned snacks can be lifesavers in the quest for weight loss because they can help to maintain normal blood sugar levels, control cravings, fuel your workouts and can keep your metabolic rate (the rate at which you burn calories) from dropping.

If you try to exercise first thing in the morning after an all-night fast, you might feel weak and you might not be able to complete your workout. Drink a small glass of skim milk or juice before you work out and eat breakfast after you complete your workout.

The best snack foods to eat are carbohydrates -- the preferred fuel source for working muscles. Within one to two hours of working out, choose a carb-rich snack from our list:

Try the following to power up your workouts:

• Fruit
• Vegetable Juice
• 1 ounce oat bran pretzels
• 1 cup nonfat or low-fat fruit yogurt
• 1 slice whole grain bread with 1 tablespoon of your favorite fruit spread
• 1 slice low-fat cheese and 2 slices crisp bread
• Strawberry Shake: Mix 8 ounces of skim milk with 1 cup strawberries and ice and blend
• 1 low-fat cereal bar