Healthiest fruits to eat when you want to get fit
As we grow up, we’re told that fruits are something that should be on our diets, but in the world of fitness, there seems to be a particular aversion to fruits, to the point of some bodybuilders and fitness coaches talking about ditching fruits entirely…
Of course, everyone makes their own decisions, and what works for some people may not work for everyone.
Today, we want to restore the fruits’ reputation. Nature is wise, and plants always give us the best food of all, so we believe in the amazing benefits fruits provide you, even when you’re in the fitness world.
Why are fruits so controversial in the fitness world?
The one word that scares everyone in the fitness world: sugar.
Fruits contain fructose, a type of sugar that the muscles cannot utilize, so it tends to get converted into fat.
Only the liver has the capability of processing fructose into glycogen (the storage form of carbs that muscles use as fuel), and its glycogen levels get full pretty quickly.
As we have no ability to know when our liver is free to convert the fructose into glycogen rather than fat, people tend to avoid fruits at all costs.
But fruits are so full of benefits that it is too sad to cut them out of your life forever. Also, some of these benefits are only found on fruits, and your health can be put at risk by such a radical decision.
Fruits are full of vitamins and antioxidants, so many that they actually can boost your body’s ability to burn fat and build muscle.
What are the healthiest fruits for my fitness journey?
First of all, remember that calorie intake, macronutrients, and dietary details are different for everyone, especially if you have specific fitness goals. Apart from that, we can give you a general idea of when it’s best to consume fruit and what are the best ones you can have.
Fruits are great for breakfast time
During the first hours of the morning, your liver’s glycogen levels are deep down, so fruits will act as the fuel that your body needs. Enjoy these fruits without worrying:
- Apple
- Pineapple
- Watermelon
- Berries, specially strawberries and blueberries
- Oranges
- Bananas
All of these fruits will provide you enough energy to kick off your day. They also have other properties like hydration, potassium, and vitamin C.
Add fruits to your pre-workout snacks
If you have 30 to 60 minutes before starting to exercise, fruits will not only boost your energy levels, they will also protect your muscles, help them recover faster and even grow!
These are the best fruits for pre-workout snacks:
- Bananas
- Berries
- Kiwi
- Dried fruits
- Apples
- Pears
Bananas, apples and pears are great to give you that extra glycogen your muscles need for training, while kiwi and berries will bring you extra vitamin C that will help with muscle recovery and fat burning.
Eat fruits after your workout
If you are the type of person that ends every workout feeling hungry, then adding some fruits can help you recover from all that effort and sweat. Plus, they will feel like a good reward and will ease any sweet cravings.
Enjoy these fruit after a workout session:
- Berries: strawberry, blueberry or raspberry
- Cantaloupe
- Pomegranate
- Pineapple
- Peach
- Cherries
All of these fruits can be enjoyed by themselves (one serving),or added frozen to your protein shake if you want to give it a new flavor.
As you can see, fruits don’t deserve the bad reputation they often have, you just need to know them to make smart decisions about when and how to eat them. Adding fruits to your diet can help you reach your goals and have a healthier life.
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