The 32 best foods to eat before a workout

When thinking about the best foods to eat before a workout, it's important to consider both how they enhance performance but also help recovery. Because, whether you're doing running, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or lifting weights, nourishing your body with the fuel it really needs - as you put it through its paces - will ultimately aid your gym goals.

The best pre-exercise foods tend to give you the energy to power right through from warm-up to cool-down. However, it's also important to think about the kind of exercise you've got in the schedule and tweak your macronutrient intake accordingly. Those doing endurance training - like a 10k - will benefit from slow-release, higher-fibre carbohydrates. Meanwhile, others focusing on resistance movement, as part of strength training, will get a boost from topping up on protein.

Whatever you decide to load up on before lacing up your running shoes, just be sure to eat with plenty of time for digestion. While many lighter snacks can be consumed as you head to training, heavier meals need a bit more time to go down so you can feel your best as you move. Hungry to get going? These foods will get you smashing those PBs...