Staying Nourished in November
Did you know that the earth produces food for you based on the season you will need it? In the summer we find foods with a higher water percentage to help keep us hydrated during the hotter months.
In the fall, we get a variety of colors and flavors to choose from. The best part is, the offerings we get during this time of the year make it so much easier to stay fueled during our workouts!
Here is a list of in-season foods to help you power through and stay energized during your workouts at LSQP:
Bananas: Nature’s power bar! It comes in its own packaging. They’re a good source of antioxidants and potassium, a mineral that may help prevent muscle cramps.
Apples and Pears: Super sweet and dense in fiber and water, which makes them filling. Perfect for keeping you feeling ready for some teasers! Add peanut butter for some extra love.
Pineapples: These cuties have tons of carbohydrates that your body can easily metabolize to give you an energy boost before you hit the mat - love this for high-intensity classes like our HIIT Pilates Mat.
Chickpeas: These little guys are easy to prepare and provide the body with a nice balance of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates.
Mangoes: An energy fruit with a high content of carbs, vitamin C, and vitamin B-6. Delicious and perfect to throw into a smoothie before class - use oat milk for a dairy-free option.
Blueberries: Blueberries are a complex carb, which helps provide sustained energy. Another benefit is that they're known to improve brain function. We’re all about the mind/body connection at LSQP!
Oats: Oats contain essential amino acids that help with muscle building. They are a good combination of carbs, fiber, protein, minerals, and vitamins.
Broccoli: Vitamin C is linked to faster recovery from intense workouts and less stiffness the day after. Broccoli is chock full of it!
Sweet potato: One of our favorites! Replenishing the system post-workout is important too. Eat some sweet potato an hour before your workout to really benefit from the carbs, fibers, vitamin C, and potassium, and other nutrients during your workout and for recovery.
Want something to-go (and seasonal) you can prepare beforehand and put in your stasher bag? Here’s a tried and true recipe we love! Recipe adapted from Pinch of Yum.
Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls:
Ingredients:
2 cups oats
¼ cup flaxseed
¼ cup chia seed
½ cup pumpkin puree
¼ cup nut butter (we love almond butter!)
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup honey or maple syrup
2 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
¼ cup mini chocolate chips
Directions:
Combine all ingredients (except chocolate chips) in a food processor and pulse until well blended, scraping down the sides as needed
Add mini chocolate chips and pulse a few more times to combine
Roll the mixture into balls that are roughly 2 tablespoons each and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet
Freeze the balls until solid and keep in the refrigerator for up to a week
However you choose to fuel your workout, make sure it keeps you healthy, focused, and satisfied so you can keep crushing goals and making new ones with us!