Why Honey Straws Are the Ideal Pre-Workout Snack

You are what you eat, and what you eat before exercising can affect you and the benefits you garner from a good workout. Naturally, no one wants a heavy meal before a workout, but there are specific snacks that can set the tone and course of your session.

Protein bars and energy gels are two ways fitness enthusiasts get the energy without a weighed-down feeling, but there are other options for quick energy, nutrients, and satisfaction. Honey straws are a great example.

You might be familiar with honey straws from farmers markets, natural food stores, and candy stores, but they’re more than a way to sample a beekeeper’s wares. Compact, convenient, and bursting with natural goodness, honey straws are a nice way to prep for a run, a lift session, or another activity. Here’s why honey straws are the ideal pre-workout snack.

What Are Honey Straws?

If you haven’t encountered honey straws before, they’re small, portable tubes filled with different types of honey. Easy enough, right?

The tube is made of food-grade plastic to preserve the honey’s flavor and consistency and protect it from contamination. On average, honey sticks contain about a teaspoon of honey, but that single teaspoon offers plenty of nutrition and flavor!

With this in mind, here are some of the specific reasons why honey straws are the ideal pre-workout snack.

They’re a Quick and Convenient Energy Boost

Honey straws are a convenient and rapid way to get a burst of energy before a workout. They’re ready to consume anytime and anywhere, and they take up almost no space in your bag, pocket, or elsewhere.

All you have to do is clip off the end of the straw and squeeze the honey into your mouth. Your body absorbs the natural sugar immediately into the bloodstream, giving you the get-up-and-go to start and maintain your routine.

They Provide Sustained Energy Release

Honey isn’t a one-and-done energy source. While you will enjoy a quick energy spike, the energy sticks around for a while as you work out because of its high glucose and fructose composition. Glucose is what gets you first, providing instant fuel. Fructose takes its time, however, sticking around to be absorbed more slowly. This provides your body with a steady supply of fuel.

They’re Natural and Unprocessed

The world is filled with processed food with artificial everything and unnecessary additives that aren’t conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Depending on the processing and brand, honey straws can contain only honey, straight from the bees themselves. No extra sugars, flavorings, preservatives, or other things.

While refined honey does exist, as do flavored honey straws, raw honey is also available, and it retains all the natural goodness and healthful benefits nature provides. If you prefer a lean, clean, and wholesome food source, honey straws deliver something you can trust.

They’re Rich in Antioxidants

As we mentioned, honey is a great source of antioxidants. When you work out, your body produces free radicals, which leads to stress on the body and, especially, muscle fatigue. Antioxidants in honey straws take on and neutralize the free radicals, reducing inflammation and helping your body snap back faster from a strenuous workout. Enjoy a honey straw or two before your workout and see how much better and longer you perform.

They’re Gentle on the Stomach

Some pre-workout snacks are hard to take, whether they’re too acidic or sickly sweet. Avoid an upset stomach by consuming honey. It’s easy to digest and won’t put too much stress on your guts. Nothing curtails a good workout more than gastrointestinal distress, so go easy on your innards by enjoying a shot of honey before you exercise.

They’re Versatile

Honey goes with almost anything. Whether you take it straight from a honey straw or add it to another meal or snack, it’s a smart and tasty addition. Pair honey with other body-friendly foods, like oatmeal, yogurt, bananas, berries, greens, and more. Honey makes an already balanced snack a tastier and healthier one with its natural carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. You can plan an energy-packed meal or snack for every day and workout of the week.

Tips for Consuming Honey Before a Workout

Now that you know how and why honey straws benefit your exercise regimen, here are a few suggestions for what to do next. Incorporate them into your pre- and post-workout routine through the following tips and tricks:

• Timing is everything—Consume a honey straw about 15 minutes to a half hour before your workout. This gives your body enough time to absorb the food and enjoy its benefits from beginning to end. Keep another honey straw or two nearby if you choose to extend your session!
• Pait it with other foods—This article is in no way advising the use of honey as a solitary food or fuel source. Honey works best when paired with other beneficial foods so they work together to satisfy your hunger without weighing you down. For instance, pairing honey with bananas ensures energy on top of potassium to prevent cramping.
• Stay hydrated—Honey is liquid in form, but it doesn’t do the job of water. Enjoy your honey, but remember to stay hydrated by drinking water before, during, and after a workout.
• Listen to your body—Your body is talking; what is it saying? Honey may not always be the answer for you and your body. Obviously, if you have a honey or bee allergy, stay far away from honey straws. They may contain substances that can hurt you. That said, even without an allergy, note how your workout proceeds after consuming honey. If you lack energy, double up. If it doesn’t seem to be working for you, reconsider the type of honey you’re consuming and mention it to your doctor, nutritionist, or fitness professional. Adjust as necessary, and take other things into account, like your diet, sleep patterns, work schedule, and so on.

Ready to give honey straws a try? When you next gear up for a workout, reach for a honey straw and experience the natural energy boost for yourself. If you have questions about the best kinds of honey and honey straws to use inside and outside of the gym, contact us for more information!