5 Foods that Can Sabotage Your Workout

SHAPE magazine

by Jessica Smith for SHAPE.com

While all the foods on this list are healthy, we wouldn't recommend eating them right before a workout--save them for your post-workout snack or meal instead!

Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds

1. Flaxseeds: While they are great for your body (and weight loss), flaxseeds are full of fiber , which could impede your workout efforts by causing gas and/or bloating, says Stella Metsovas, a clinical nutritionist and diet expert in Los Angeles, Calif.

"You definitely want to limit the amount of fiber you take in 2 hours before and after exercising. In addition to flaxseeds, stay away from fiber supplements, bran, and high-fiber breads and opt for a mixture of protein and carbohydrates instead right before your workout."




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Hummus
Hummus

2. Hummus: Don't get us wrong, we love healthy hummus just as much as you do, but you may want to stay away from it right before a workout.

"Bean-based foods (such as hummus) are high in indigestible carbohydrates that may cause uncomfortable gas and bloating," says Mary Hartley, a registered dietitian in New York City.







Green bananas
Green bananas

3. Green bananas: While bananas are a great pre-workout snack, make sure you grab a ripe one! Unripe fruit isn't a good idea before you work out, as it could cause uncomfortable gas and bloating, Hartley says. Choose a banana that's completely free of any green at the stem. Brown spots on the skin indicate it's in the ripe stage. At this stage the sugar content will be absorbed easily, otherwise, the unripe banana is in the starch stage and more difficult to digest.






Thai or Mexican food
Thai or Mexican food

4. Thai or Mexican food:Spicy foods may help you burn up more calories overall, but they won't help you burn more during your workout if you eat them right beforehand. Even if they are 'healthy' dishes, spicy leftovers (like last night's Mexican or Thai food ) can cause heartburn if they backwash into the esophagus, Hartley says.







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Hard-boiled eggs
Hard-boiled eggs

5. Hard-boiled eggs:Hard-boiled eggs are a great source of lean protein, but they don't provide carbohydrates for energy. Plus, their protein stays in the stomach and takes a long time to digest, which could weigh you down at the gym, Hartley says.








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