One of the biggest workout trends these days is juicing before workout routines. Many bodybuilders swear by the method of guzzling fruit and vegetable juices before exercising, claiming that it helps build muscle mass and gives them additional energy to maximize your workout. But fads are called fads for a reason—is this one going to stand the test of time, or fall by the wayside?
Pro: Including Fruits and Vegetables in Your Diet
No matter how you slice it, fruits and vegetables are a vital part of a healthful, balanced diet. Unfortunately, many people don’t include enough of these natural wonders in their diets. So in any case, juicing before workout sessions definitely supplements your diet and gives you more of the fruits and vegetables you might otherwise have missed out on.
Con: Missing Out on the Fiber
While fruits and vegetables are great for your diet, you can still miss out on some of the benefits by juicing before workout routines. Part of the advantage of vegetables, especially, is the fiber content. But when you use a juicer, the pulp—and the fiber contained in it—is lost. Since you want to get all the benefits of your fruit smoothie, you can manually add some of the pulp back into your drink; alternatively, use a blender instead of a juicer to keep the fiber in. This will restore the balance and fortify your pre-workout drink.
The Calorie Paradox
One idea driving the fad of juicing before workout is that you consume more calories. That way you have more calories to burn during your exercise routine. While this makes sense up to a certain point, of course there’s a limit. If you drink huge amounts of pure fruit juice, you can overfill yourself, slowing you down and leaving you bloated. It’s important to not take the calorie intake too far, to the point that you weigh yourself down. However, you can supplement your juice with good protein sources like yogurt, peanut butter, and almond milk. This should moderate the calories and create an even more comprehensive mix to energize you during your Krav Maga workout.
The Right Way and the Wrong Way to Juice
Juicing before workout can provide a huge energy burst that will let you get the most out of your exercise. But if you don’t do it right, you can actually hinder your performance and end up gaining weight. Experts and athletes agree that you should minimize your consumption of apples and carrots. Both of these are very healthful when eaten raw, or in full form. But the fiber in the meat and the fruit complements the vitamins in the juice to form a balanced product. The problem with juicing is that when you remove the fiber, you’re left with an extremely calorie- and sugar-heavy product.
