Beast Nutrition

As you may or may not know, what you put into your body while preparing for The Beast on the Bay is just as important as the training you have worked so hard to complete! In a world full of fad diets and should vs shouldn’t eats, it can be confusing as to what is the best strategy to fuel your body! I’m here to help navigate your Beast on the Bay nutrition.

When clients ask me, “what should I be eating?” My answer is keep it simple, keep it whole! Some of the best Beast foods are already in your kitchen; there is no need for expensive protein powders, gels, or manufactured foods. Eating nutrient dense foods that replenish your body’s depleted energy sources are what you need to focus on. Here are some of my favorites to keep you performing at your best.

#1 Almonds:

Almonds make for a perfect pre-workout need because they are loaded with nutrients like magnesium, calcium, fiber, manganese, and Vitamin E. The fiber and healthy monounsaturated fats in almond keep blood sugar levels regulated with helps you feel fuller for the course of a workout. The protein in almonds helps repair torn muscles during exercise! I carry almonds as a snack easy and quick for days that I have a busy work and training schedule!

#2 Eggs:

There are several important benefits to consuming eggs. The first and one of the most important is the protein in eggs; your average egg contains about 12g of protein. Eggs are also rich sources of selenium, vitamin D, B6, B12 and minerals such as zinc, iron and copper, making for peak performance and overall health. Eggs make for a great pre- or post-workout snack because the protein in eggs prevent muscles break down as a source of energy and helps with muscle repair and recovery.

#3 Bananas:

Bananas are great sources of fast acting carbohydrates! They are something I recommend before an endurance event (like The Beast) or an intense or long duration workout because of their high carbohydrate and sugar content. I know, I know, as soon as I said sugar you were shocked, but your average 3.4oz banana contains about 16g of sugar. If you are working out for an extend period of time, your body will need some glucose (sugar) for energy to continue with intensity. Keeping foods high in carbohydrates and naturally occurring sugars like bananas close to your workout times will keep you performing at your best and also will not add on additional body fat. Not to mention there are additional benefits: bananas are a great source of potassium which helps enhance muscle strength, metabolism, water balance, and electrolytic functions.

#4 Apples:

Apples are one of my favorites because they are so full of nutrients, but also because they are an easy snack to carry! If you are working hard in the gym inflammation is bound to occur and apples can help decrease that inflammation and aid in recovery. Apples are rich in phytochemicals and are a particularly good source of quercetin, a flavonol that may benefit endurance performance and counter exercise-induced inflammation. The carbohydrates in apples help fuel works and if eaten post workout with a protein, they can help the reabsorption of protein into your muscle cells!

#5 Chicken:

Chicken is one of my favorite because it is so versatile and so beneficial to the body. Chicken is a great source of lean, low fat protein! The protein in chicken lends itself to muscle growth and development, and help support a healthy body weight and aid weight loss. I prefer all my meat to be open range, grass fed and organic for both ethical and health reasons. Make sure when you are purchasing meats like chicken that they are hormone and antibiotic free, grass fed animals. Chicken makes for a perfect post workout protein source that will make sure you are full and replenished!

I hope next time you take this simple foods with you on your next shopping trip. When it comes to nutrition remember to keep it simple and keep it whole! Don’t overthink it and you will be ready to be The Beast; it’s almost your time to shine!