Halloween Candy as Fuel for Workouts
Halloween is a season of nostalgia, often fun childhood memories, and our favorite candy!
While we all love a solid protein bar or banana as a pre-workout snack, there's something special about the joy tied to those mini candy bars!
But what if we told you that a little Halloween candy could fuel your workout while building that relationship with food?
Yes, you heard us right. Those bite-sized Snickers or Sour Patch Kids you’ve been eyeballing aren’t just for trick-or-treaters; they can be strategic, fast-digesting energy for your next gym session. Let’s break down how to use Halloween candy as your pre-workout boost!
Why Candy Can Work for Pre-Workout
The purpose of a pre-workout snack is to fuel your body with quick energy prior to movement. Candy, especially the types you find in your Halloween stash, is packed with simple carbohydrates (sugar), an efficient glucose source. Since glucose is your muscles' preferred energy source during exercise, a small amount of Halloween candy can give you that fast fuel.
But what about the sugar?
Before exercise, candy can be just the quick-absorbing carbohydrate boost your body needs. During workouts, especially high-intensity sessions, your body taps into glycogen stores (your stored form of glucose), and candy gives you extra glucose for immediate use.
How to Use Halloween Candy Pre-Workout
Timing Is Everything
Eat your Halloween candy 20-30 minutes before your workout. This allows your body time to digest the sugars and have them ready for your body to use as fuel. You can also take some with you on long endurance training over 60 minutes. That long run you are doing? Throw in some sour patch kids for quick carbs and sodium.Portion Control
Stick to about 15-25 grams of carbs (around 2-3 fun-sized candies). The goal is to give yourself energy without overloading your system with too much sugar at once, which can lead to a spike and crash and even cramping during movement.Pair with Water
Staying hydrated is key, so drink water with your candy to help your body digest and absorb the sugar efficiently. Every body is different and an increase in glucose and decrease in water can lead to cramping during sport so make sure to find the best balance for your body!Mix It Up
Not all Halloween candy is created equal. Some are higher in fats and proteins, which take longer to digest. For pre-workout purposes, you want to go for candies that are primarily carbs, like gummies, jelly beans, or fruit chews. Chocolate works, too, but the fat content makes it digest more slowly, so pay attention to tolerance here. Listen to your body! This is the beauty of education; finding out what works best for you and not anyone else.
The Fun Factor
In addition to the pre-workout energy benefits, using Halloween candy as fuel can bring a sense of fun and enjoyment to your workout routine. Think about it: we often associate candy with childhood, fun, and special occasions. That positive emotional connection can actually motivate you to show up and perform better!
Candy and Performance
For endurance athletes, like runners or cyclists, candy can also be a great mid-workout boost. Long training sessions burn through your glycogen stores quickly, where some Skittles or Sour Patch Kids can give you an equal boost as a goo or gel.
For shorter, high-intensity workouts like weightlifting or HIIT, a bit of candy before you start can give you an extra edge by providing a burst of energy for explosive movements.
As always, listen to YOUR body! We are all about enjoyment and education. Candy can be tricky and the relationship with it can be skewed. Adding some fun and enjoyment around something that you already love can help from a relationship standpoint.