Plant-Based Workout recipes! Pre- and Post- Workout | Two Spoons (2024)

Apr 20, 2019(Last updated Sep 23, 2021)by Hannah Sunderani

In sponsorship with obé

This post is dedicated to plant-based workout recipes, pre- and post! Some might think that a plant-based diet is limiting when it comes to pre- and post-workout fuel. But it’s quite the contrary! As a person who values my daily workouts, and as a plant-based blogger, I’m always creating healthy plant-based workout recipes that energize me, keep me full, and above all – taste delicious.

There are numerous plant-based workout recipes for active lifestyles that offer protein and nutrients to help you thrive pre- and post-workout. And I’d like to share some of my favourites with you. I’ve definitely got a routine that helps me slay my obé.

Plant-Based Workout recipes! Pre- and Post- Workout | Two Spoons (1)

Below are my go to plant-based workout recipes for morning and afternoon workouts. Starting with something light and energizing for the pre-workout, and moving on to wholesome heartier meals that will satiate your body post-workout.

These recipes are vegan, gluten-fee, easy and totally delicious. Whether you’re vegan or not, you’re going to love adding these recipes to your daily diet.

Morning: Plant-based Workout Recipes

Pre-Workout: Morning Metabolism Boost

Plant-Based Workout recipes! Pre- and Post- Workout | Two Spoons (2)

For me, I like to work out in the morning before starting my day. It’s a little “me time” before the chaos ensues. And no day goes by without this Morning Metabolism Boost.

I love this drink to energize pre-workout. Made with lemon, apple cider vinegar, ginger, cinnamon and cayenne, it’s a hybrid of the many boost drinks that have been passed around the health and fitness community for decades. And boy do I love this mixture! The ingredients may sound like it packs a punch, but actually it’s a lot more sip-able than you’d think.

This metabolism boost aids as a kickstart to my digestion. The citrus from the lemon and ACV (apple cider vinegar) is super alkalizing, and helps to get things moving (if you know what I mean). The ingredients are also commonly used in immunity boost drinks, particularly ginger and lemon. So not only are we taking care of our digestion but our immune system too.

How far in advance should you drink this metabolism boost before your first meal? My answer is to do what feels best for you. For me, I have this drink when I wake up; before turning on my obé workout and about an hour before my first meal. But the goal is to incorporate the drink into your regime without inconvenience. So choose a time that works best for you and make it a habit.

For me, starting my morning with this boost sets me up to succeed for the rest of the day. Think of it as a first win on the list of healthy intentions you set for yourself.

Get the recipe

Plant-Based Workout recipes! Pre- and Post- Workout | Two Spoons (3)

Post-Workout: Chocolate Mocha Chia Pudding

Plant-Based Workout recipes! Pre- and Post- Workout | Two Spoons (4)

Recently, my favourite post-workout breakfast is this Chocolate Mocha Chia Pudding. It’s vegan, gluten-free, healthy, and sweet. This plant-based workout recipe combines chia with almond milk, a heaping spoonful of cocoa powder, and a shot of espresso. The combination of chocolate and espresso is premium! It’s like a latte, but in chia pudding form.

I love to make this chia pudding and pair it with a few scoops of coconut yogurt and some fresh berries. It’s protein packed and easy to digest. The rich and velvety chocolate combined with creamy coconut yogurt is a delight. And the shot of espresso keeps my energy levels up to start the day.

I like to prep this plant-based workout recipe the night before so it’s ready in the morning. Chia typically takes 10-20 minutes to absorb liquid, and so it’s a good idea to do ahead of time if your mornings are rushed. If you’re not a big breakfast person first thing, you can pack this recipe to-go. I’m usually not hungry for an hour or so after my workout, and so I will pack this pudding in a sealed jar like the picture shows. Enjoy at home or later at your desk.

Get the recipe

Plant-Based Workout recipes! Pre- and Post- Workout | Two Spoons (5)

Afternoon: Plant-based Workout Recipes

Pre-Workout: Peanut Butter and Jam Stuffed Dates

Plant-Based Workout recipes! Pre- and Post- Workout | Two Spoons (6)

Need some pre-workout fuel to smash your HIIT? Try these Peanut Butter and Jam Stuffed Dates! I like to pop one or two of these before a HIIT or dance cardio workout. They’re fast fuel that’s light enough to eat pre-workout. (The goal is to stuff these dates, not your belly).

For this plant-based workout recipe I’ve stuffed medjool dates with peanut butter and homemade raspberry chia jam. This jam is a much healthier alternative to the store bought and takes 10 minutes to make. Simmering raspberries, chia and a bit of maple syrup in a saucepan, this jam can be used for these stuffed dates, topped on oatmeal, or toast.

Once you’ve made the jam, the stuffed dates take seconds to put together. Simply cut through the middle to remove the pit, and fill with peanut butter and jam. You can enjoy them in the time it takes to sync obé to your TV. m

Get the recipe

Plant-Based Workout recipes! Pre- and Post- Workout | Two Spoons (7)

Post-Workout: The ULTIMATE Baked Falafels

Plant-Based Workout recipes! Pre- and Post- Workout | Two Spoons (8)

These Ultimate Baked Falafels are my go-to when it comes to a healthy and wholesome post-workout meal. The falafels are made with chickpeas and oat flour, pulsed together with fresh parsley and loads of spice. They are flavour rich!

These falafels are baked instead of fried – making them a much healthier choice, and it doesn’t leave that bad fried food aftertaste in your mouth. Typically, I will make a big batch of these falafels to last me through the week to top on salads or in whole-wheat wraps. They pack wonderfully for lunches.

My favourite combo is to serve these falafels with salad greens, purple cabbage, cucumber and avocado, and drizzle generously with my signature citrus tahini dressing.

These baked falafels are healthy, hearty and satiating, making them a great post-workout meal to refuel. No doubt you will have this plant-based workout recipe on repeat.

Get the recipe

Plant-Based Workout recipes! Pre- and Post- Workout | Two Spoons (9)

As you can see there are a ton of options when it comes to plant-based workout recipes. These plant-based workout recipes have you covered for clean fuel that’s as delicious as it is healthy. And, plant-based or not, everyone can enjoy adding these recipes to their regime.

Discount code details:

This blog post is sponsored by obé. An online workout studio with unlimited monthly access to live and 500+ on-demand classes, with which I pay for a subscription.

Product sponsorships are always chosen based on my favourite products/brands. Obé is an online studio I use weekly for cardio and sculpting workouts, I especially love workouts from fitness trainers @meganroup and @tiffani.robbins. For 30% OFF your first month use code “TWOSPOONS” at checkout.

Plant-Based Workout recipes! Pre- and Post- Workout | Two Spoons (10)
    Plant-Based Workout recipes! Pre- and Post- Workout | Two Spoons (2024)

    FAQs

    What is a good post-workout meal for vegans? ›

    After training, vegan athletes need to concentrate on carbohydrates, to replenish stored energy that's been used, and proteins, to help rebuild muscles. A sample snack could be a banana and plant-based protein drink. A small meal could be a salad with spinach, tomatoes, chickpeas, nuts, and whole-grain crackers.

    What are optimal pre and post-workout meals or snacks? ›

    Snack: A smoothie with one cup of fruit and two cups of vegetables, or this protein-packed green smoothie recipe (drink half before the workout and half after) Snack: An apple or pear with nut butter. Snack: Greek yogurt with granola and berries. Snack: Dried fruit with mixed nuts.

    Is yogurt a good pre or post-workout snack? ›

    Eating after you work out can help muscles recover and replace their glycogen stores. Think about having a snack if your meal is more than two hours away. Good post-workout food choices include: Yogurt and fruit.

    How do you make a pre-workout meal? ›

    Instead, aim to build around 50g of simple-to-digest, complex carbohydrates like fruit, bread, pasta, rice, potato or cereal into your pre-workout meal or snack, alongside a small amount of protein or fat.

    What are 5 examples of foods are best for post-workout? ›

    Post-exercise snack/meal options:

    Spaghetti bolognaise: 1 cup cooked pasta + ½ cup mince sauce and 2 cups salad. ½ cup baked beans with scrambled eggs on 2 slices of toast (wholegrain bread) Baked sweet potato with ham, corn and cottage cheese filling. Chicken or beef stir-fry with 1 cup cooked basmati rice.

    Should vegans eat protein before or after workout? ›

    Experts say that yes, you should drink protein after a workout as well as before. Resistance exercise breaks down muscle, and consuming protein will replenish the body's store of amino acids to help repair and build those same muscles.

    What exercise burns the most belly fat? ›

    Some of the best exercises to burn fat include planks, Russian twists, and bicycle crunches. These exercises target the core muscles, helping to tone and tighten your midsection. Creating a routine is essential for achieving your fitness goals. Start with a warm-up to prepare your body for the workout.

    Should I eat peanut butter before or after a workout? ›

    It is essential to eat peanut butter at the right time to reap the maximum benefits. Experts recommend consuming peanut butter at least 30 minutes before your workout. This will give your body enough time to digest the food and provide you with the necessary energy during exercise.

    Is it better to eat a banana before or after a workout? ›

    While eating a banana after your workout may help with recovery, eating this fruit before or during your workout can also be beneficial — although in different ways. To maximize performance during your workout, eating a banana 30–60 minutes prior to a workout may be most beneficial.

    Why eat bananas before a workout? ›

    Only have 5 or 10 minutes before your workout? Snack on a banana. Their easy-to-digest carbs power you up without weighing you down. They're also a good source of antioxidants and potassium, a mineral that may help prevent muscle cramps.

    Are banana and peanut butter good before a workout? ›

    They're also easy to digest and can slow the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream, making bananas a great snack option before your next workout. Enjoy bananas alone or try pairing them with a good source of protein like yogurt or peanut butter for an easy pre-workout snack.

    What's the best thing to eat first thing in the morning before a workout? ›

    Whether you eat before working out should be based on your preference and weight loss goals. Before your morning workout, fuel your body with whole, minimally processed carbohydrate and protein foods such as: oatmeal. whole grain toast.

    What is the best fruit to eat before a workout? ›

    Q: Which fruits are best to consume before a workout? A: Bananas, apples, berries, pineapple, oranges, and watermelon are some of the best fruits to consume before a workout as they provide quick energy, essential nutrients, and hydration.

    What is a high-protein post-workout meal vegan? ›

    Protein is found in a number of plant-based foods, including: Lentils and beans (e.g. black beans, lima beans, kidney beans) Tempeh, tofu, edamame and soy products (soy milk, soy yoghurt) Seeds (chia seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds)

    What to eat after a long run vegan? ›

    Protein is a particularly important consideration for vegans after a run. High quality protein sources include tofu, beans, lentils, almonds, and quinoa. To replenish glycogen stores and maximize muscle protein synthesis, aim to consume a 3:1 carb-to-protein ratio within 30-to-60-minutes after a workout [2].

    References

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Aron Pacocha

    Last Updated:

    Views: 5757

    Rating: 4.8 / 5 (48 voted)

    Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Aron Pacocha

    Birthday: 1999-08-12

    Address: 3808 Moen Corner, Gorczanyport, FL 67364-2074

    Phone: +393457723392

    Job: Retail Consultant

    Hobby: Jewelry making, Cooking, Gaming, Reading, Juggling, Cabaret, Origami

    Introduction: My name is Aron Pacocha, I am a happy, tasty, innocent, proud, talented, courageous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.