Top 5 Foods You Should Eat Before Yoga (According to a Certified Yoga Instructor)

If you think your shoes and yoga mat are all you need to worry about for your yoga class - think again.

The food you eat right before you start your class can have an effect not just on the results you’ll get but the way you perform your poses, too. Eat the wrong foods and you’ll end up feeling sluggish and heavy.

To make sure that doesn’t happen to you, here are the top 5 pre-yoga foods you should totally try.

1. Almonds

Before you head on to your class, grab a few pieces of almonds first. They contain a good amount of magnesium, potassium, and vitamin E. Eating them before your yoga can help you be more stable in your poses.

Now, to make sure you get all their energizing benefits, pick almonds that are plain and unsalted. You can also go for almonds that are infused and enhanced with minerals and probiotics.

2. Bananas

Bananas are rich in fiber. Eating them before your yoga class can help regulate the release of your blood sugar, making it more stable. Since it's a low glycemic fruit, bananas can also keep you feeling full for a longer time.

And you know what else?

Eating bananas can keep those annoying cramps at bay, too. It's rich in magnesium and potassium which can prevent muscle cramps.

You can eat bananas alone or you can make them tastier by adding almond butter.

3. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a great pre-yoga food as long as you eat it an hour before your yoga session. This is to make sure that your body is able to digest it properly and that it won’t make you feel sluggish when you’re performing your poses. You should also limit your serving to about ⅓ cup so it won’t feel too heavy on your stomach.

Now, what makes oatmeal that great for yoga enthusiasts?

Well, apart from having soluble fibers, oatmeal also has a good amount of B vitamins and magnesium. And if you add quinoa seeds to your preparation, you’ll get protein, too.

4. Dried Fruit and Nut Bars

If you’re in a hurry, just grab a dried fruit and nut bar. It can give you the energy you need to finish your routine until the last pose.

Now, when buying your nut bars, keep in mind that they aren’t the same. Some of them contain way more calories than you can burn with your yoga class while others have artificial sweeteners and syrups that can affect your blood sugar level.


For a safer choice, pick one that has 200 to 300 calories. If you’re not sure how to stay away from syrups and artificial flavors, you can make your own bars at home.

5. Green Smoothie

In case you have a lot of free time in the morning, you can make a really healthy green smoothie. Try to limit the ingredients so your body won’t have a hard time digesting it. For your blood sugar, it’s best if you stick with green ingredients.

Try to add healthy fats, too. They can help your body absorb your smoothie’s nutrients better. They can also regulate your blood sugar level.

In Conclusion

What you eat before yoga is as important as the poses you’ll do in your routine. You have to plan your foods properly to ensure that you’ll get the right nutrients your body will need to complete your routine safely. Eating the right foods can also help ensure that you won’t feel heavy or sluggish.

Author’s Bio:

Meera Watts is a yoga teacher, entrepreneur and mom. Her writing on yoga and holistic health has appeared in Elephant Journal, CureJoy, FunTimesGuide, OMtimes and others. She’s also the founder and owner of Siddhi Yoga International, a yoga teacher training school based in Singapore. Siddhi Yoga runs intensive, residential trainings in India (Rishikesh, Goa and Dharamshala), Indonesia (Bali).

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