8 Fitness Experts Share Their Favorite Healthy Snacks

"I always throw dried fruit in my bag, usually dried mangoes, as they're my favorite thing to eat right before I work out or teach a class. I find eating simple carbs about 20 minutes before I exercise gives my body a quick source of energy so I can perform to the best of my ability." – Jera Foster-Fell, New York City SoulCycle instructor

"Before a morning, cardio-based workout, I like to have an empty stomach. It helps me to perform better and taps into body fat as fuel faster. Before a strength-based workout, I'll usually grab a FitAid Fuel, which has 12 grams of grass-fed whey protein and is Paleo-friendly. Then after any workout, I always drink my NF Sports Recovery Whey Protein shake, which is high in BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) to repair my muscles." – Yumi Lee Mathews, fitness celebrity trainer and co-owner of Reebok CrossFit LAB

"Justin’s almond butter packets are great pre-workout to keep me fueled, and Gatorade protein bars are made with everything you need post-workout to begin recovery." –Gunnar Peterson, personal trainer

"Whether I am craving something sweet or salty, I like to have a handful of almonds, one thin slice of rotisserie chicken breast, and a handful of raisins or Craisins. The almonds and chicken are an excellent source of protein, which help repair muscles post workout and offer a boost of energy.

I also enjoy a sliced apple — a great source of fiber — with a packet of almond or peanut butter. It fills me up and is so easy when I am on the go." – Nadia Murdock, fitness coach and expert

"I love Pure Protein Crunch. They're delicious and easy to pop throughout the day. I get the protein I need, even with my busy schedule, and they have less than 5 grams of sugar in an entire bag." – Anna Kaiser, founder of AKT

"My favorite snack is spicy toasted pumpkin seeds, which I make at home. I like the crunchiness and flavor and pack them in my pantry on the go and munch on them after yoga class. Pumpkin seeds are a dietary source of tryptophan. The body converts tryptophan into a chemical that can regulate depression, stress, and anxiety-increasing serotonin in the brain." – Latham Thomas, maternity lifestyle maven, celebrity doula, founder of Mama Glow

"Since I’m on the go, I keep snacks in my workout bags. I eat Kind bars, (especially the Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate), non-salted roasted almonds, and sometimes a simple organic crunchy peanut butter and jelly sandwich (fresh or homemade from friends), which stays fresh in the heat or cold." – Elisabeth Halfpapp, cofounder of Core Fusion

"If it’s a low-intensity day, I eat on the lighter side. I'll grab a quarter of a banana (because of the high sugar intake) before a moderate workout. Afterwards, I'll have a salad with avocado and maybe fish. For intense workouts, I plan carb-heavy meals two hours prior to help me get through it. Sweet potatoes, veggies, and salmon fuel me for days when I plan to lift heavy.

Post workout, I blend fruits, such as strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries with a scoop of almond butter. Fruit contains natural sugar, which is a great carbohydrate fuel source and is dense in water to keep the body hydrated." – Chris Sainsbury, New York City performance coach and co-owner of CrossFit Kingsboro