Fact Or Fiction: Peanut Butter Is A Great Pre-Workout Boost

Getting the right nutrition and energy before working out are just as important as actually working out. Protein bars and powders are a popular option, but celebrity trainer Mike Donavanik knows you don’t necessarily need to shell out the extra cash at GNC for food that provides similar benefits.

This week, a FitPerez reader wants to know if there is any truth to the suggestion that peanut butter is a great pre-workout booster, asking:

“A friend of mine, who is very fit, told me that a scoop of peanut butter is a great pre-workout boost; particularly for working out first thing in the morning and not wanting to eat. Myth or miracle meal?”

According to Mike:

“Peanut butter is a good pre-workout boost, but so is a piece of fruit and a protein shake. Now, whether you need a pre-workout boost in the morning is really dependant on your fitness goals. Are you trying to lose weight or gain weight? Are you lifting first thing in the morning or doing cardio? There are a lot of variables ├óΓé¼ΓÇ£ and a lot of different peanut butters (some good, many bad).

If you are trying to lose fat, you should do cardio in the morning on an empty stomach. If you are looking to gain lean muscle, have a serving of peanut butter with half or a whole banana. When eating peanut butter, make sure you stick to the serving size of 2 tablespoons (which is about the size of a golf ball). More often than not, people tend to eat way too much peanut butter because they’re not sure how big 2 tablespoons actually is.

Now for the breakdown of actual peanut butter; choose a peanut butter that is all natural and contains no hydrogenated oils and no high fructose corn syrup. Do not get a peanut butter that advertises itself as ├óΓé¼┼ôreduced fat├óΓé¼┬¥ because it will most likely be pumped with extra sugar. My pick for peanut butter is Peanut Butter & Co. Old Fashioned Crunchy ├óΓé¼ΓÇ£ it only contains two ingredients: peanuts and salt.”

Sounds like peanut butter is a delicious way to start off your workout! If you’ve got anymore questions, tweet @MikeDonavanik on Twitter for more answers!