The food you eat before and after a workout is vital to get the most out of your exercise routines. The kind of diet you have allows you to stay on track with your fitness goals.
If you’ve tried CBD before, you should know that you can incorporate this non-psychoactive compound into your diet.
Before you start googling for the best CBD oil in the market, spend a few minutes reading this article to learn how CBD can help boost your meal’s nutritional value. Also included here are pre- and post-workout CBD recipes you have to try.
CBD and Its Purported Benefits
Cannabidiol (CBD) is an active element of cannabis. Although CBD is a component of medical marijuana, the compound is mostly derived from hemp.
CBD is known for its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, you may benefit from it, primarily if you’re engaged in rigorous exercise routines.
A study issued by the Journal of the American College of Nutrition suggested that anti-inflammatory dietary interventions and supplementations are crucial to improving athletic performance.
Physical exercise has numerous benefits. However, long-lasting, heavy training with transient immune system dysfunction may increase inflammation and oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress is an imbalance that transpires when reactive molecules that may cause inflammation are more than the substances that protect cells from damage.
A 2020 study from the journal Antioxidants hypothesized that CBD may protect lipids and proteins against oxidative damage by regulating the oxidative stress level.
Pre- and Post-workout CBD Recipes You Should Try
Now that you know the purported benefits of CBD. You may want to add it to your diet for an extra anti-inflammatory boost.
Below are some CBD recipes that are perfect for pre- and post-workout.
Pre-workout Recipes
Before you start exercising, you must fuel up your body to prepare for the physical activity you’re about to do.
A few hours before working out, you must stick to eating something light yet high in carbs like oats. They’re gluten-free whole grains packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They’re also a good source of protein.
Since oats are released slowly, they’re perfect for eating pre-workout. Make sure to add CBD oil to your food, so you’ll keep your energy levels high throughout your exercise routine.
If you’re a morning gym-goer, this honey CBD overnight oat is perfect for grabbing on the go.
Honey CBD Overnight Oats
Ingredients:
- ½ cup oats
- ½ cup milk of your choice
- 1ml CBD oil
- One teaspoon raw honey
- ½ tablespoon peanut butter
- One or ½ banana
Directions:
Add oats, followed by all the other ingredients, into a glass or bowl. Make sure to stir the mixture lightly enough that the oats are completely wet.
Store the mixture in your fridge overnight. You can also top it with more bananas or other fruits in the morning.
Post-workout Recipes
You must replenish your body after your workout so it can recover from the exercise routine you just did.
Having a proper meal after a workout is a must. Remember that you need to restore diminished glycogen levels and load your body with protein. This way, you’ll be able to recover from the physical stress in no time.
A study from Nutrition Reviews examined the fundamentals of glycogen metabolism for athletes and coaches.
Glycogen, a stored form of glucose (sugar), provides your body with energy when your blood glucose levels go down.
Therefore, athletes or any individual engaged in rigorous exercises should consume enough carbohydrates for sufficient muscle glycogen. A high-carbohydrate diet is also necessary to replace the depleted glucose during the day.
The following recipe is a strengthening CBD smoothie that’s ideal for a great post-workout meal. It’s packed with protein and ingredients that can help balance your sugar levels. Meanwhile, the CBD oil in it may help fight inflammation.
Strengthening CBD Smoothie
Ingredients:
- One to two scoops of protein powder (vanilla)
- ½ cup milk of your choice
- ¼ cup peaches, chopped
- ¼ cup mangoes
- One banana
- 1ml CBD oil
- One tablespoon hemp hearts
- ¾ cup vanilla greek yoghurt
Directions:
This recipe yields one large smoothie. You need to add all the ingredients together in a blender. Transfer the mixture into your glass or tumbler and enjoy!
However, if you want something a little heavier than a smoothie, this CBD lemon pepper chicken bowl provides an excellent source of nutrients.
Meanwhile, hemp CBD is a valuable source of nutritional benefits. For example, CBD oil products often include hempseed oil, a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).
Polyunsaturated fats, which include omega-3 and omega-6 fats, can help lower your LDL (low-density lipoproteins) or bad cholesterol.
CBD Lemon Pepper Chicken Bowl
Ingredients:
- One chicken breast
- ¾ cup broccoli, chopped
- ¾ cup zucchini, chopped
- ¾ cup Brussel sprouts, chopped
- 1ml CBD oil
- One tablespoon of olive oil
- ¼ lemon
- ⅔ cup cooked quinoa
- One teaspoon of lemon pepper
- One tablespoon of lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Pour the olive oil into a non-stick skillet and heat it over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Wait until it’s cooked through, for about five to eight minutes.
Set the chicken aside. Proceed to cut your lemon into thinly sliced pieces. Add the sliced lemons, veggies, and a few drops of CBD oil into the pan. Stir and sprinkle with lemon pepper.
Turn the heat to medium-low, and then add the chopped chicken breast, quinoa, and lemon juice. Transfer the food into a dish and enjoy!
Conclusion
There are increasing studies about CBD’s purported health benefits. The results may be promising, although they’re still inconclusive.
Therefore, make sure to speak with a physician experienced in cannabis use before you incorporate CBD into your pre- and post-workout meal.