Avocados for better results from your exercise routine

For many of us, 2020 has also been a reminder of the importance of good health – something that can be achieved with a balance of regular exercise and healthy food. As the demand for healthy foods grows, avocados too have been greatly sought after – and for good reason.

Also referred to as a super food, the avocado is a unique fruit – while most fruit consists primarily of carbohydrates, avocado contains a high amount of healthy fats. Numerous studies have shown that is has powerful health benefits. The fruit is comprises a healthy balance of Vitamin K, Folate, Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, along with small amounts of magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, zinc, phosphorous and vitamins A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin) and B3 (niacin) – making it a perfect fruit for your daily dietary intake.

Avocados before and after exercise:

Anish Karki, a physical fitness instructor in Kathmandu, who has been incorporating avocados in his diet since the past seven years, around the same time he started his career as a fitness instructor, swears by the fruit.

“They are a good source of energy for me. When they are in season, I consume them as an afternoon snack, and it provides me with the required energy for my session”, he tells us.

An interesting fact that we would like to share here is a recommendation by the American College of Sports Medicine. They recommend that “adequate food and fluid should be consumed before, during and after exercise to help maintain blood glucose concentration during exercise, maximize exercise performance, and improve recovery time”.

Avocados therefore make a great pre-exercise snack – but however, one is advised to consume the fruit at least one hour prior to work out. A simple avocado snack on something like toast provides calories, or energy that your body will use while exercising. Similarly, the monounsaturated fats contained in avocado also helps repair muscular expenditure, therefore making it a great post-workout meal too. Similarly, Vitamin B which is present in avocados also gives a metabolic boost and helps your body assimilate other carbohydrates consumed during the day – therefore giving you better value from your exercise routine.

Avocados are also a decent source of calcium and magnesium, crucial electrolytes for athletes because of their role in muscle function and fluid balance. Avocados are therefore, excellent meal choices for those of us working out to stay fit.

Great Taste and Versatility:

Avocados have been one of the most sought after fruit not only because of its nutritional health benefits, but also because of its great taste. Another factor has also been attributed to the fruit’s versatility – ability to consume during breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Furthermore, with cafes offering it as smoothies, juice, or ice cream makes the fruit all the more an appealing alternative to health conscious consumers.

Also, for those living on the go – heading for their workout or yoga session after work, they can simply grab an avocado juice or a smoothie to pack the essential energy an hour before their session. Similarly, one can also get the same after their workout session, keeping the stomach full, and filled with the required dietary intake to go about the day’s activities.

Avocados therefore, are not only a healthy fruit, but also provide more value to those pursuing a fitness journey – eat it or drink it before or after your session, and watch those valuable nutrients work their magic on your body.