5 Surprising Foods that Can Slow Down Your Workout

SHAPE magazine
Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds

Did you know that certain foods, even healthy ones, could be sabotaging your workout? While all of the foods mentioned below make great additions to a healthy diet and active lifestyle, they should also be avoided at least two hours before you work out, in order to help you maximize your workout regime. Read on to find out which foods we're talking about:


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 two 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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Hard-boiled eggs
Hard-boiled eggs

2. 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.











Avocados
Avocados

3. Avocados:

Steer clear of foods high in fat (even the good kind of monounsaturated fat) like avocados just before exercise. "Fats are very important and should be consumed at other intervals in the day, just try to limit your fat intake two hours before and after exercise," Metsovas says.
Foods with a lot of fat or fiber can be very difficult and slow to digest, and they remain in the stomach a long time. They also pull blood into the stomach to aid in digestion, which can cause cramping and discomfort.






protein shakes
protein shakes

4. Protein shakes:

Bodybuilders swear by them, so they must be good for workouts, right? Wrong! Not all, but most pre-made protein shakes contain a lot of processed ingredients, excess sugar (or sweeteners), and dairy products that can cause bloating, gas, and fatigue. Not exactly what we'd call a fitness trifecta.










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Orange juice
Orange juice

5. Fruit juice:

Gulping a glass of OJ might seem like a good idea before your morning sweat session, but you'll question your decision halfway through spin class, when climbing that hill seems impossible. What gives? You are better off eating the orange instead, Batayneh says. Juice (even 100-percent fresh-squeezed) has a lot of sugar, and no fiber. While it still offers some vitamins, it will go right through your system, causing a blood sugar crash later.







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