TikTok Users Are Eating Rice Krispies Treats Before Their Workouts (2024)

Need a boost before you start your exercise routine? Leave it to TikTok to recommend your next pre-workout snack. Users on the app are eating a Rice Krispies Treat before getting their sweat on.

Here's the gist: Caroline Klinger, MS, RD, a sports dietitian who dueted the original TikTok, said cereal in general is a great source of exercise fuel—the simple carbohydrates hit the bloodstream fast, providing an instant energy boost for a workout.

Because not everyone can tolerate milk, Klinger suggested a Rice Krispies Treat as a better option than a bowl of cereal.

In this case, TikTokers may actually be right—but like every trend or claim, this one too comes with some caveats. Here's what you need to know about fueling up with a Rice Krispies Treat before a workout.

The short answer: A Rice Krispies Treat definitely can be workout fuel. Simple carbohydrates—like low-fiber, non-whole-grain waffles and cereals—are indeed the best source of quick energy before a workout.

Carbs are an efficient way to fuel the body. They allow energy to go straight to the bloodstream without getting sidetracked too much in the digestive tract.

On top of providing quick energy for exercise, Rice Krispies Treats are convenient—they're shelf-stable (so they won't go bad fast), and they're easy to stick in a purse or gym bag.

What Is Pre-Workout?

When To Eat a Rice Krispies Treat for a Workout

It's best to eat a Rice Krispies Treat if you're someone who does a high-intensity cardio or strength workout, but not necessarily if you're someone who's going to take a casual bike ride or walk around the block. You can eat the Rice Krispies Treat up to two hours before your workout.

If your workout is less than an hour long, you don't need to eat beforehand. Pre-workout snacks are best for people who are doing long, high-intensity workouts. For that type of workout, you should eat 30 to 60 grams of carbohydrates for every hour of exercise.

One potential concern about eating Rice Krispies Treats is that they contain a lot of high-fructose corn syrup, a form of added sugar derived from corn. Eating too much added sugar can lead to health problems like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

If you're going to eat a Rice Krispie Treat as your pre-workout snack, keep in mind that less than 10% of your daily calories should be added sugar. If you need 2,000 calories every day, you should try to eat no more than 200 calories in added sugar.

The pre-packaged, snack-sized Rice Krispies Treats contain 90 calories and 9 grams of added sugar. Alternatively, you can make your own Rice Krispies Treats and determine how much sugar to add.

Alternative Pre-Workout Snacks

If you aren't too keen about eating a Rice Krispies Treat before your workout—or you want to avoid the added sugar—there are other snacks you can eat that provide similar benefits, with less added sugar.

Healthy carbohydrates provide you with the energy you need to maximize your workout. Aim for carbs that are easily digestible so that you don't feel tired during your workout. Some options may include:

  • Melons, like honeydew or cantaloupe
  • Non-whole-grain or non-wheat crackers with smooth peanut butter
  • Well-ripened banana (1 small or 1/2 large banana)
  • Yogurt without granola

No matter what snack you choose, make sure to drink plenty of water as well.

You may think a whole food, like raw veggies, would be a better option than a processed bar. However, in this case, it's best to avoid fiber. It sits in the stomach for a long time, which can make it difficult to work out if you feel full, bloated, or have to go to the bathroom.

You may also want to avoid saturated fats and protein which can digest slowly and require more energy to digest. For a workout, you need more energy to go to your muscles than your digestive system.

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A Quick Review

A pre-workout snack is a good idea for a long, vigorous workout. Even though Rice Krispie Treats contain added sugar, they also contain carbohydrates that can provide you with the energy you need for your workout.

TikTok Users Are Eating Rice Krispies Treats Before Their Workouts (2024)

FAQs

Why do people eat Rice Krispie treats before working out? ›

Medical News Today, an online health news platform, said that “Rice Krispies Treats make for a suitable pre-workout snack due to their simple carbohydrate content. Carbohydrates are the body's primary fuel source, so eating a high-carb snack before a training session can boost energy and performance.”

How long before your workout should you eat Rice Krispies? ›

say eating Rice Krispies before a lift. gives him a better pump and more energy when lifting. 50 to 90g of carbohydrates. 30 minutes to an hour before a workout.

Are rice krispy treats good before a run? ›

Should You Eat Rice Krispies Treats Before a Workout? Rice Krispies Treats contain simple carbohydrates, which are an optimal source of pre-workout fuel.

Is it good to eat rice before a workout? ›

White Rice for Workouts

According to USA Rice Information, rice contains more carbohydrates than potatoes for the same serving size. Parboiled, converted, and instant white rice is suggested for pre and post-workout meals. Consuming white rice ensures the body is properly fueled for the competitive athlete.

Why do bodybuilders eat marshmallows? ›

The amount of marshmallows/sugar found in some of our proteins is not bad and can be beneficial. The foods/condiments/drinks you consume on a daily basis more than likely have more sugar than what is found in some of our proteins. Sugar/carbs can help replace muscle glycogen and can be used as a rapid fuel source.

Should you eat a banana before working out? ›

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.

Why do Rice Krispies give you a pump? ›

“Rice Krispies are an awesome source right before a workout because they hit your stomach, they get digested really quickly, they enter your bloodstream, and boom, you have carbs to power your workout. This is why as sports dietitians, we recommend cereal as a pre-workout snack,” Klinger says in a video post.

Why do so many bodybuilders eat Rice Krispies? ›

Carbs are the body's primary fuel source, so eating them before training can boost energy and performance. Rice Krispies treats have recently gained popularity as a pre-workout snack on social media platforms such as TikTok. Users claim that the treats improve workouts and give them more power during training sessions.

What's the best pre-run food? ›

8 Essential foods to eat before a run(stock up your kitchen)
  • 1) ENERGY BARS. ...
  • 2) BANANAS. ...
  • 3) PORRIDGE. ...
  • 4) OATS & BLUEBERRIES (WITH A PROTEIN SHAKE FOR GOOD MEASURE) ...
  • 5) TOAST WITH HONEY OR JAM. ...
  • 6) WHOLEMEAL BAGEL WITH PEANUT BUTTER. ...
  • 7) GREEK YOGHURT AND GRANOLA. ...
  • 8) ENERGY DRINKS.
Apr 6, 2022

What can I use instead of rice crispy treats before a workout? ›

Other, healthier simple carbs can have a similar effect (with fewer added sugars), such as a half bagel, toast, rice cakes, or popcorn cakes, she says. Another important caveat: A Rice Krispies Treat isn't the best pre-exercise snack for all workouts, Collingwood says.

Is an apple good before a run? ›

Beans, broccoli, and berries: remember those three B's as you don't want to eat them just before a run or a workout. The same goes for apples, lentils, anything whole grain, and other brassica vegetables (Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale). These are some of the top foods that runners should avoid.

What exercises get rid of belly fat? ›

Aerobic exercise includes any activity that raises your heart rate such as walking, dancing, running or swimming. This can also include doing housework, gardening and playing with your children. Other types of exercise such as strength training, Pilates and yoga can also help you lose belly fat.

Can I eat egg before workout? ›

It is rich in proteins and amino acids. They give energy to the body and help in muscle growth. Eating eggs before exercising will help in increasing energy and stamina. For this, you can eat boiled eggs or omelette 30 to 40 minutes before the workout.

Why do bodybuilders eat rice and not pasta? ›

The reasoning for this may be because rice contains slightly less protein, fat, and fibre compared to wholemeal pasta and oats, thus leading to a faster rate of gastric emptying, digestion, and absorption.

Are marshmallows a good pre-workout? ›

While complete meals are ideal hours before exercise, as the workout gets closer, you need easily digestible carbs to give you quick energy,” she adds. “Puffed rice and marshmallows satisfy these needs very nicely.”

Why do bodybuilders eat rice cakes? ›

High Carbohydrate Content: Rice cakes are primarily composed of rice, which is a complex carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are the body's preferred source of energy during endurance activities. They provide a steady release of energy and help sustain performance over a longer duration.

Should I eat rice cakes before or after a workout? ›

It is a good idea to consume about 50g of carbohydrates in the two hours prior to a workout, as this will help top up your glycogen levels and make sure you have sufficient energy for your workout. Our suggestion for the best pre workout snack is rice cakes with peanut butter (I also like to add some banana to mine!).

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