wellness — By made in cookware

one pan dishes to power your workout

The adage “you are what you eat” may seem a bit old-school, but it still holds a lot of truth today. Our friends at Made In, creators of American made cookware, put together a guide to help you match your food intake to your activity level.
Not only does it really matter what type of foods you eat to stay healthy, but there are also certain types of foods that you should eat depending on the type of workouts you choose. It’s true! Your workout routine is fueled by the foods you eat, so you definitely don’t want to dine on burgers and fries on the way to the gym. By simply choosing foods that work better in combination with the way you exercise, you not only reap the health benefits, but you will boost your workout routine as well. Here are some examples of foods that pair well with various workout routines and some delicious one pan dishes so you get the most out of your efforts.

The Best Foods to Eat to Power Your Workout

Running – If a long-distance run is your workout of choice, carbs are your friend. Start the night before with a carb-heavy dinner for the best workout fuel. One pan pasta dishes like Angel Hair Pomodoro or Pasta Primavera. Fill your pan with fresh veggies and use whole wheat pasta as a healthier option to fuel your run. On the day of your run, fill up on high carb dishes about three hours before you begin for the perfect boost. For the perfect carb vessel, you’ll need a great 8 QT stock pot and for the Pomodoro sauce, we recommend a 2 QT sauce pan.
Rowing – If rowing is your thing, it is smart to eat a light bite before hitting the water. Stick with small portions of fresh fruit or granola for an energy boost. After your rowing session, fill up on complex carbs and protein to refuel and recover quickly. One pan dishes like hearty and healthy grain bowls with your favorite meat and vegetables are a good choice. Chicken Marsala with linguine is also great for refueling. Loaded with healthy fat, complex carbs, and nutritious protein, this one-pan dish is delicious and uber easy to make. For the perfect sear on your chicken, we’d recommend a stainless steel frying pan.
Yoga – Low resistance and slow-moving workout routines such as yoga do not require pre-workout meals. In fact, it is best to refrain from eating within two hours of your yoga class for proper digestion. The best advice for yoga gurus is to nosh on nutrient-rich foods after your yoga class for a faster post-workout recovery. Great choices include foods with healthy proteins and plenty of antioxidant vegetables to replenish while giving you energy for the day. A quick and simple one pan lunch choice is a salad with mixed greens, loaded with healthy vegetables, and topped with sautéed shrimp and a touch of your favorite dressing. For dinner, consider healthy, protein loaded pan-seared tuna with jasmine rice and fresh vegetables. If you are cooking delicate fish, you’ll want to opt for a nonstick frying pan.
Boxing – Boxers who want to eat for their sport should take advice from professional boxer Floyd Mayweather who eats four to five small meals per day. Choose foods high in protein for every meal. Red meat, eggs, poultry or oily fish, as well as healthy fats like avocado and nuts, are great options for the best repair and recovery. One pan dishes like sautéed salmon, chicken with fresh herbs, or quiche with avocado whole wheat toast will boost your energy and give you stamina in the ring. For the ultimate one pan meal, we suggest the straight-walled stainless steel saute pan.
Weight Training – Workout routines that require resistance, like weight training, demand a lot of energy. The best way to eat for this type of workout is to fill up on proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fat for an easily digestible, balanced meal. Best eaten two hours before you head to the gym, a healthy one pan dish for the morning is an omelet with healthy vegetables such as avocado, green peppers, and mushrooms and a slice of whole wheat toast. Later in the day, choose an easy but delicious dish such as sautéed chicken with veggies, and don’t forget a drizzle of olive oil in the pan for your healthy fat option.

Properly fueling your workout can help you get in better shape and help your body properly replenish so you look and feel like a champ!