What Should I Eat Before Kickboxing?

What you eat before a kickboxing workout can have a significant effect on how you perform. Meals within two hours of a workout should be small and light; heavy foods should be avoided. What you drink also matters. Not following correct dietary habits can cause a poor performance or feelings of nausea.

  1. Eating Prior to Kickboxing

    • Due to the high intensity of most kickboxing workouts, diet is important. Eating incorrectly can cause you to feel sluggish or worse--feelings of nausea and sickness. There are certain types of food that should be avoided. Heavy starches that digest slowly, such as pasta, should not be eaten within two hours of a meal.

      Any pre-workout meal that comes within an hour of exercising should be small. A protein bar or food product that provides quick energy is ideal. Bananas, berries or apples with low-fat peanut butter are good options. Eating excessively in the hour prior to kickboxing will have you beginning your workout without the food far enough along in the digestive cycle and put you at risk of feeling sick.

      There are other factors that affect what you can eat. First and foremost is the time of the workout. If you are working out in the morning, it is probably best that you split your breakfast into two portions. Eat a smaller portion before you exercise and once your workout is over, consume the remaining portion. If you exercise in the afternoon or evening, be sure to have not eaten a large meal recently. A pre-workout snack might not be necessary but is still good for added energy. Once your workout is finished, consume a snack high in carbohydrates and protein, which your body needs to replenish nutrients and rebuild muscle systems. The second dominant factor is your level of fitness. As you become more adept at kickboxing workouts, your body will also adjust. In time, you will be able to eat a larger portion before your workout without feeling fatigued.

      Drinking is equally important before a kickboxing routine. Avoid carbonated beverages like sodas and heavily caffinated drinks like coffee. These will not cause you to feel sick but can cause heartburn and affect your workout. Water is best but fruit juices and sports drinks can also be consumed before a workout. After kickboxing, it is important to consume water. Drink 8 oz. for every 30 minutes of exercise.