Food is important to keep your body fueled, and eating shortly after a workout is important to building muscle.

But what about eating before a workout? While it’s not wise to work out on an empty stomach, it’s even worse if you eat fried food before it!

Fried foods – any kind – is the worst food to eat before a workout as it’ll leave you feeling heavy and weighed down before you’ve begun any exercise. And it’s worse if you don’t exercise – studies show eating too much fried food increases the risk of cardiovascular issues, like heart disease.

The best thing to eat pre-workout is a complex carbohydrate and lean protein a few hours before any form of exercise – something like chicken, brown rice, and veggies – or a sandwich with lean meats and cheese and fruit.

If you had a big lunch, and want something smaller, granola bars, string cheese, or whole-grain bread with peanut butter are all great options.

Keep your body fueled properly, and you’ll have the energy for a great workout!

Image Credit: kazoka30 / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Do you always feel like you’re forgetting things? Names, where you parked, why you walked in the kitchen in the first place! Well, there are some things you may be doing that is ruining your memory.

First, make sure you get enough sleep. A lack of sleep can reduce your ability to learn new things.

Multitasking can ruin our memories – if our attention is scattered, we’re more likely to forget.

A lack of exercise means a lack of blood flow to the brain, and an increase in high blood pressure and cholesterol, which also have been linked to memory loss.

Too much alcohol also can damage brain cells, and smoking cuts the oxygen to your brain, which can lead to less functions in the brain.

And finally, make sure you’re eating the right foods – those that boost your brain, like leafy vegetables, fatty fish, berries, tea, coffee, and walnuts.

Make these changes, and you’ll remember where you left your car keys!

Image Credit: mickeyd_600 / iStock / Getty Images Plus