Whether you’re heading to a yoga class or hitting the yoga mat in your living room, it’s important to properly fuel your body. Yoga is not only a great way to de-stress; it’s also a great workout, which requires your body to have energy to get the most out of your practice. Eating the right food can make the world of a difference – from feeling like an empowered goddess to wanting to stay in child’s pose for a nap. Here are my favorite pre-yoga and post-yoga snacks!
Best Snacks Before Yoga
I like to keep things light before yoga, so anything that will leave me feeling heavy or sluggish is off the list. If you’re on the go, grab a handful of almonds. I keep a stash of these in my purse for those times when I get the munchies but don’t have time to make a healthy snack. They are full of magnesium, so they will give you the energy needed to hold those difficult poses, while helping you to stay full for longer.
If you have access to a blender, I highly recommend mixing up a pre-yoga smoothie of your choice! Again, you’re going to want to avoid heavy ingredients, including things like coconut milk and Greek yogurt. Why not try a simple formula with some berries, spinach and coconut water? Healthy, light, refreshing and super easy to digest. Just make sure you give yourself time to make it, drink it and digest it before your class begins, as you don’t want things sloshing around in her tummy while you’re moving around.
You can also keep things simply by sticking with fruit. My favorite fruit to eat before yoga includes a mix of blueberries and blackberries or a banana. Berries are full of antioxidants, which boost your immune system and keep you healthy. It’s a great way to nurture your body while you also nurture your soul. On the other hand, bananas are potassium-rich, helping your body to stay hydrated while you sweat it out on the mat.
Eat These After Yoga
Many of us forget that it’s just as important to nurture your body after yoga as it is to nurture it before. The food that you eat after a can help your body to repair your sore muscles. It’s also important to rehydrate, so be sure to drink about a half a litre of water along with these foods.
Depending on when you do your yoga, you’ll want to choose foods that are rich in protein and healthy fats. I like to practice yoga in the morning shortly after waking up, so I am right on track for lunch. I will usually follow my practice with a green smoothie or oatmeal. They are nutritionally and will keep me full until lunch so that I don’t find myself snacking on something sugary in the meantime. If you enjoy an evening yoga flow, consider eating something a little bit heavier – for example, a salad with avocado and beans or a rice bowl with chicken and veggies.
The most important thing is to find foods that fuel your body and make you feel good. Yoga is all about self-care, so make sure you are providing your body with the nutrients it needs as part of your practice.
About the Author
Nikki Young is a military wife, mom of two and yoga enthusiast. As a YogaClub Tribe Leader, you’ll find her showing off her yoga gear on YouTube and Facebook every month. When she’s not on the mat, Nikki also runs an online makeup business. Find her website at www.nikkiyoung.ca
