Looking for the best pre-workout snacks to fuel your workouts? Discover 10 great pre-workout snack ideas to boost energy, support muscle building, and maximize your performance.

Hi hi! How is the week going? I hope you’re having a great one! I have a morning of meetings today and looking forward to a hot yoga class this afternoon.

For today’s post, I wanted to chat a little bit about pre-workout snacks and share some of my favorite options.

When it comes to fitness, exercise and nutrition are the ultimate power duo. You can crush your workouts all you want, but if your nutrition isn’t dialed in, you’ll feel the difference – in your energy, endurance, and results.

One of the biggest game-changers in sports nutrition is learning when and what to eat before and after you work out. While a good post-workout meal helps with recovery (you can read about my favorites here), your pre-workout snack sets the tone for your entire session.

Not all foods are ideal before exercise. Some can make you feel sluggish or bloated. Today I wanted to round up some of the great pre-workout snacks that can help you fuel your body, maximize your performance, and feel strong through every rep, mile, or flow.

10 Great Pre-Workout Snacks

In this post, we’ll talk about why your pre-workout snack matters, what makes one effective, and some of my go-to options that balance protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. These combinations give you steady energy, prevent fatigue, and support your long-term fitness goals.

Is a Pre-Workout Snack Necessary?

The short answer: usually, yes!

Having a small snack 30–90 minutes before your workout can make a huge difference in your energy and stamina, especially if you’re training in the morning or haven’t eaten in a few hours.

A good pre-workout snack provides the building blocks your muscles need to perform well, and it helps you avoid that dizzy, “running on fumes” feeling mid-session.

Your body needs carbohydrates for quick energy and protein and fat to stabilize blood sugar and keep you fueled. When you skip your pre-workout meal, you risk breaking down muscle for energy instead of building it.

The right combination can help you:

– Train longer and harder

– Maintain focus and endurance

– Prevent early fatigue or energy crashes

– Support lean muscle growth and fat loss

What Makes a Good Pre-Workout Snack

1. Balanced Macronutrients

Your pre-workout fuel should contain a mix of complex carbohydrates, protein, and a touch of healthy fats.

Carbs give you immediate energy, while protein supports your muscles, and fats keep you feeling satisfied without weighing you down.

2. Easy to Digest

You don’t want to head into a workout feeling full or sluggish. Go for snacks that are light but substantial enough to sustain you, like whole grain toast (with good ingredients), fruit, yogurt, or a small smoothie.

3. Timing

Aim to eat your snack 30–60 minutes before yo

Are you tired of the same old boring meals? I totally hear you and I believe that eating healthy should never be a snooze fest. So, let’s go on a flavor-filled journey and discover how to make healthy eating fun and exciting. Get ready to satisfy those cravings guilt-free!

Get Creative: Making Healthy Eating Fun

Healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring. It’s time to unleash your creativity in the kitchen and explore new flavors and ingredients.

Experiment with colorful fruits and vegetables, try different cooking methods, and spice up your meals. If you’re feeling stuck on ideas, have like 135+ amazing ones in the Guiltless Recipe ebook for you to try!

Guiltless Indulgences: “Junk Food” Made Healthy

Who says you have to give up your favorite indulgences? We’ve got your back with our Guiltless recipes like this amazing chicken pesto pizza!

We’ve taken classic “junk food” favorites and transformed them into nutritious, guilt-free delights. From our protein packed peanut butter cups to our chicken and avocado burri

guiltless chicken pesto pizza

Pizza is one of those foods I thought I had to give up when I was trying to lose weight, but it’s not true! I just had to learn how to make recipes like this so i could enjoy my favorites without the extra grease and excess junk.

That’s exactly why I created my Guiltless Recipe ebook. It has over 135 guilt-free recipes (including desserts & cocktails!) plus everything I learned over 2 years to help you create a healthy, balanced lifestyle you love.

My guiltless Chicken Pest pizza was one of the first pizza’s I made (after trying it at healthier takeout spot) and is still my go-to when I get a pizza craving so let me show you how it’s done👇🏻

Guiltless Chicken Pesto Pizza

Ingredients:

• 1 pre-made cauliflower crust (or your crust of choice)
• 1/2 cup of your favorite pesto sauce (I use my lemon-pesto from my Guiltless Recipe Ebook)
• Grilled chicken breast, thinly sliced (because protein is a must)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1/2 onion, gilled
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Fresh basil leaves
• A pinch of crushed red pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 450°F (232°C). While that’s heating up, sprinkle a touch of flour on a clean surface and roll out your pizza dough into your desired shape. It’s your pizza canvas – get creative!
2. Spread the Flavor: Grab that pesto sauce and generously slather it all over your pizza dough. Think of it as your guilt-free flavor foundation.
3. Chicken Power: Lay out those thinly sliced grilled chicken pieces on top of the pesto-covered canvas. Protein boost? Check!
4. Tasty Tomato Distribute those halved cherry tomatoes and onion all over.
5. Gimme that Crunch: Sprinkle those delightful pine nuts all around for a texture that’s nutty and nice.
6. Feta Frenzy: Time to introduce the star of the show – crumbled feta cheese. Sprinkle it generously over the pizza, adding that creamy and tangy punch we all adore.
7. Into the Oven: Slide your pizza into the preheated oven and let the magic unfold. About 12-15 minutes should do the trick, resulting in a golden crust and melty cheese perfection.
8. Basil Beauty: Once your pizza emerges from the oven looking on point, sprinkle torn fresh basil leaves on top.
9. Embrace Guilt-Free Goodness: Slicer it up and remember, this is a

Cacao-Nut Protein Balls

You are going to go NUTS over these protein balls! I have been loving these as a post workout snack or an after dinner treat! Once you try these you will be wanting more, trust me! My other favorite protein balls recipe is in the Guiltless Nutrition & Recipe eBook!

You won’t even be able to tell you are eating such a healthy snack because they are just THAT good! These little protein balls are packed with 4 scoops of my LSF Plant Protein and I know you are going to be just as obsessed with them as I am!

Cacao-Nut Protein Balls Ingredients

makes approx. 24 balls 

• 3 cups Medjool dates pitted

• 1 1/2 cups almonds

• 1/2 cup water

• 2 tbsp cacao powder

• 4 scoops LSF Plant Protein (Vanilla or Chocolate)

• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

• 1/2 cup coconut flakes unsweetened

Instructions

1. Add almonds to a food processor and process until it’s more of a flour texture. It can be coarse. 

2. Add dates and water, cacao and protein powder and process until well combined.

3. Add chocolate chips and hit pulse a few times to combine.

4. Use a spatula to remove mixture from the processor into a bowl. Then use your hands to roll even spoonfuls into small balls.

5. Pour coconut flakes onto a large plate or bowl and gently roll the balls to cover in the flakes.

6. Store in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container.

Craving More?

Find more delicious recipes like this + all of our favs here!

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PB&J protein smoothie

You know how a song, smell, or a bite of something can take you back to a moment? That’s what this PB&J smoothie is going to do for you too! Right back to being a kid eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but better.

This one is packed with about 25g of protein to build lean muscle and burn fat, healthy fats to curb cravings, and an immunity boost we could all use right now!

And the best part? It will talk you less than 2 minutes to make!

PB&J Smoothie Ingredients

• 1 cup frozen strawberries (or other berries you love)
• 1 cup unsweetened oat milk
• 1 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 scoop LSF Vanilla Plant Protein or LSF PB Plant Protein
• 1 scoop LSF Wing Woman Immunity Boost

Smoothie Directions

Add all ingredients above in the order listed to a blender. Blend on high until smooth and enjoy!

Get Your Peanut Butter On

This smoothie is honestly great ANY time of day. It has a perfect balance of healthy fats, carbs, and proteins so you can’t go wrong. I love making this one for breakfast (maybe throw in some spinach for greens you won’t taste!), but it also makes a perfect post-workout snack too!

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