Disclosure: This is a sponsored blog; while the views expressed here were genuinely mine, consideration was paid to me by Bays English Muffins to review this product.
What’s up fellow fit friends?! I’ve been in the best mood the past few weeks because training is starting to ramp up a bit for my summer races. I’m finally back in a routine (after a little bit of an off winter) and it feels great. Plus my weekend rides and runs have been going smoothly, and part of that I think comes from good fueling choices beforehand.
I think a lot of people underestimate how important it is to get in a good pre-workout meal or snack, regardless of what time of day it is. It’s not going to make or break anything during a short session – but if you’re doing a long workout (>1 hour), you’re going to want that fuel for your muscles. Ideally, you should eat at least an hour beforehand with some easily digestible carbohydrates and minimal fiber and fat.
Pre-Workout Meals with Bays English Muffins!
Lately I’ve been digging different Bays English muffin combos for an energy-packed breakfast before my weekend runs & rides. But you can also whip up these combos quickly at any time of day for a mini-meal a few hours before a workout! {PS – make sure you scroll to the bottom of the post to find out how you can try to win some English muffins!}
Backing up for a second…Many people might question why a dietitian would use a refined grain (like the original or sourdough) or a blended version (like the honey wheat and multigrain varieties which contain both refined and whole grains). I mean, I’m an RD after all, right?!
The answer is simple – minimizing fiber before a long or tough workout helps reduce the risk of GI upset. The additional fiber in whole wheat products can sometimes mess with the belly. So instead, I go for a refined or blended product before my long weekend training sessions. Of course, sports nutrition is really individualized though, so go with what works for you!
Plus, if I’m going to be 100% honest with you, I like the taste of the original English muffins best – so it’s a little treat for me to be able to have those on the weekends. 😉
Here are 5 super simple, quick English muffin recipe ideas for you to use before your next workout:
- Bay’s Honey Wheat English Muffin + Peanut Butter + Sliced Banana
- Bay’s Sourdough English Muffin + Herb Cream Cheese + Egg
- Bay’s Original English Muffin + Part Skim Ricotta + Blueberries
- Bay’s Multigrain English Muffin + Strawberry Chia Jam + Plain Yogurt (yep, just add a few dollops on top!)
- Bay’s Original English Muffin + Sautéed Apples + Sprinkle of Cheddar Cheese
*Quick note – with the cream cheese and cheddar cheese, just remember to use only enough to add a little flavor. Both are rich in fat and that can slow digestion, so you want to avoid too much before a long or intense run or ride.
Be sure to pin these ideas so you can refer to them later –>
More English muffin recipe ideas for all day long!
Of course, if you’re fueling up mid-day, there are tons of possibilities too. While your mama might have only fixed ‘em up on winter mornings, these Bays English Muffins can be used all day long. Think mini pizzas, or topped with hummus, olives, and sun dried tomatoes. We especially love them at dinner time with this fellow blogger’s barbecue sweet potato chickpea veggie burgers.
And this avocado mango English muffin toast with pepitas is also a bomb lunch option. It’s quick to throw together, filling, and delish. My son loves it too (mamas, I know you appreciate those recipes that work for everyone).
To make this yummy lunch (or breakfast), here’s the quick & easy recipe:
Avocado Mango English Muffin Toast with Pepitas
Ingredients
1 small ripe avocado
2 BAYS English Muffins, any variety, split, toasted
Dash salt
8 mango slices
2 teaspoons pepitas
2 teaspoons chopped fresh herb (*See NOTE)
Instructions
Smear avocado on muffin halves; sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Top with mango, pepitas and herb.
*NOTE: Use any of the following fresh herbs, such as mint, oregano, basil, parsley, or cilantro.
Where to Find Bays English Muffins:
For those of you living up here in the Northeast, it’s now even easier to grab these tasty English Muffins as they’re now carried at Tops Friendly Markets. To celebrate this retail partnership, packages at Tops will have a $1 off coupon on each package! {If you know me personally, you know I’m a frugalista who loves me a good coupon!}
Keep in mind you won’t find Bays English Muffins in the bread aisle, though. Look in the refrigerated dairy case next to the eggs and milk. You can find more info about their product varieties on their website: www.bays.com
Share with me: What’s your favorite way to fuel up for a long training session? Which of these English muffin recipe ideas do you think you’ll try out? What’s your favorite way to use an English muffin?
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Love a great English Muffin sandwich thanks for the fun ideas
Sure thing, glad I could help! 🙂
Love these ideas. I could definitely go for the ricotta and blueberry one right about now. Thanks for the english muffin inspiration!
That’s one of my favs too! Especially if I add a little honey and lemon juice/zest to the ricotta.
Love all these ideas Chrissy! They sound good even if I’m not running!
Yes, totally – they’re delish ideas for anyone – no running necessary!
I often forget about Engligh muffins but they are so yummy! I love all the different variations on your English muffin chart!
Thanks Kimberly! They really are so delish.
I grew up eating Bays English Muffins! I still have half of one toasted with avocado and an egg most mornings.
Yay! So glad to know you’re already a fan. Yes, an english muffin with avo and an egg is one of my favs too – esp with a little hot sauce on top 🙂
I haven’t had an english muffin in years (stupid wheat allergy), but all of these look amazing!
If you’ve found a wheat-free baking mix you like, you could try making your own English muffins. I’m always experimenting with my baking, but it’s hard to recreate what gluten gives bread without using gluten.
Awww, sorry you can’t incorporate them. But you could take the jist of the ideas for other breakfast topping combos for starches that work for you.
Great ideas! I love an english muffing instead of toast before my long run! I am a banana and peanut butter kind of girl!
PB&B is such a classic combo! 🙂
I love Bays English Muffins–we have them all the time at our house. Like Marcia, I’m an avocado/egg kind of gal. If I really want to go crazy, I put salsa on that too.
Oooh, I usually go hot sauce on my avo/egg combo but I love the idea of salsa to try now!
I’m a scratch baker, but English muffins are pretty easy to make. The only down side is that they’re time consuming because they’re cooked on the stovetop rather than in an oven; if you have an electric griddle or a large griddle pan, you can cook more of them at one time. (I’m usually stuck doing 3-4 at a time.) I have yet to perfect a whole-grain English muffin, but as Chrissy notes I would rather not have the extra fiber if I’m fixing to go out for a long workout. One qualification: I have yet to produce an English muffin with those big holes in them. Mine are delicious, but more solid.
When I was commuting by bike, one of my favorite breakfasts was a sandwich made with one of my homemade English muffins. We bought egg rings in which we can fry perfectly round eggs. I use shredded cheese, and I stick with really flavorful – sometimes pungent – cheeses so a little bit adds a lot of flavor. (I frequently use just 6-8gm.) I’ve cut way back on breakfast meats, and I started using wild-caught smoked salmon instead. It’s pretty pungent, so I skip the cheese.
The thing I find I ironic is that when I order a breakfast sandwich in a restaurant, it never seems like enough food. But I can eat one that I’ve made at home and it’s perfect. Who knows – maybe mine are better. 😉
I’ve never tried my hand at homemade – but I’d imagine these Bays are probably a closer match than some of the other store bought ones in terms of texture 🙂
The breakfast sandwiches sound so good! Sometimes I’ll make them and freeze them ahead of time so that I can pull out throughout the week. I’ve never thought to try one with salmon on it – I’ll have to make that soon.
I love an English muffing simply toasted with a little butter (and raspberry jam if I’m craving something sweet).
I love English muffins and eat them often! My favorite is peanut butter and banana and chia seeds!
Love the idea of adding some chia seeds on top – so smart!
I love English muffins but have never heard of Bays! All of your recipe ideas look great!
They’re English muffins are really tasty! If you’re in the Northeast check Tops Friendly Markets, but if you’re further away you can also order them online.
Yum! The avocado mango muffin looks awesome. I haven’t had an English muffin in years. Time to change that!
I’m a big fan of English muffins! The avocado mango combo looks really good!
Yes, such a tasty looking combo right?!
Oh, wow, the avocado mango combination sounds amazing! I do love the PB + banana combination – hard to beat that classic!
Yes, that PB&B is such a classic, especially for runners.
Delicious muffins, Chrissy! I can’t wait to try it soon!
Hope you enjoy them! 🙂
Chrissy – those avocado mango muffins are the stuff of dreams. I feel like I have no choice but to make them immediately.
Haha, go for it Jennifer! And they’re healthy so you have no reason not to 🙂