Ever wondered how Abu Dhabi’s fittest residents fuel their tanks? TOAD talks to seven trainers to find out what they snack on to stay healthy and in good shape.
It can be difficult to know what to snack on to keep healthy and keep your energy levels high. TOAD sought out some of the city’s elite trainers to find out what they are chowing down between their workouts, and the science behind their nutritional choices.
Abu Dhabi Country Club’s group fitness instructor Nat Monakian: 
‘Raw, unsalted almonds are an excellent post-workout snack. They’re high in protein, B vitamins, magnesium and potassium.
‘I love organic Greek yoghurt, because not only is it high in protein, but also fat-burning calcium, which lowers cortisol, the stress hormone that naturally rises during exercise. Greek yoghurt also contains a bit of magnesium, which helps calm nerves and aids in muscle recovery and bone health. On top of that, it is rich in potassium and B vitamins.
‘Berries are a wonderful food to eat post-workout. Their natural sugars are low enough that they won’t spike your insulin levels, but also sufficient enough to restore glycogen to your muscles. Berries are high in potassium, which helps prevents cramps and injury, along with boosting heart health. They are also high in vitamin C. Bananas are also well known for their extremely high potassium content, and they contain B vitamins to boost mood and energy.’
Abu Dhabi Country Club’s Spacewalk Instructor Abdul Rahman: 
‘During my flight breaks, I go for a MET-Rx protein bar. I use it as a meal replacement as it helps me to keep within my ideal calorie intake. If I have no bars left, I just drink my protein shake – I prefer the brand, Opti-Men. Otherwise, I often eat bananas – they lower the body temperature and keep me cool during a hot day. I like them because before any strenuous workout or flight class, it packs an energy punch and it sustains my blood sugar levels. For supplements, I go for a Russian Whey Protein and CellMass.’
Abu Dhabi Country Club’s padel trainer Raul Cuesta:
‘Working as a padel trainer, it is important to have a rich, varied and balanced diet along with a healthy lifestyle.
‘Doing several hours of high intensity exercise, daily, it is crucial to get the right nutrients to help you recharge your batteries. What I recommend is drinking large quantities of water as well as sports drinks in order to achieve fast hydration, along with a banana (full of minerals and vitamins) and energy-boosting snacks such as nuts that will improve your endurance and performance.’
Abu Dhabi Country Club, Al Saada Street, Al Mushrif, www.adcountryclub.com (02 657 7777).
Personal trainer at Haddins, Sarah Stass: 
‘I snack on carrot and cucumber sticks with hummus, cashews and almonds, fruit, low-sugar cereal bars, roasted corn, hard boiled eggs and sushi throughout the week as they’re easy to make and take to work (apart from sushi, but I usually make a batch at the weekend), and they’re filling and full of essential nutrients. I also really like the taste. I don’t think I could force myself to eat something that I didn’t enjoy, just because it was healthy. My advice would be to try a variety of healthy snacks and discover what your taste buds agree with. You’ll be more likely to stick with it too.
‘Veggie and chicken stir-fry or noodle dishes are great for a quick dinner. I tend to cook and eat the ingredients alone or with soy sauce, as the majority of stir-fry sauce sachets are full of salt.’
Zayed Sports City, www.haddins.com (02 403 4233).
MMA Trainer at Gold’s Gym, Crisaldo S Carasig: 
‘I like to make high-protein oat pancakes made with oats, whey protein powder and egg whites, pan-fried in a very small amount of butter. Hassle-free prep time, and very tasty and filling. When my day is really busy, I just go with a wholegrain peanut butter sandwich, nuts or a piece of banana with peanut butter. These are great for energy and also add protein to my daily nutritional needs.’
MMA Trainer at Gold’s Gym, Kareem Baseem: 
‘I focus more on timings than what I snack on. It is very important to keep eating every two hours. But you should aim to eat quality foods. Keeping the basic metabolic rate is key to burning fat. This can be maintained by eating at least five times a day. I usually consume fruit snacks, which help suppress sugar cravings.’
Personal trainer at Gold’s Gym Sherif Ali: 
‘My usual snack includes a piece of fruit or fruit smoothies. They provide me with me the right amount of vitamins, minerals and energy. The fruits include pineapples, oranges, green apples, bananas and berries. A mix of these provides me with just the right amount of energy, antioxidants and improves my immune system in the process. These “good calories” help me through my days.’
Gold’s Gym, Al Wahda Mall, www.goldsgym.ae (800 465 370).
