Pilates and Diet

Pilates is an intensive core conditioning exercise that places a lot of strain on the abdominal muscles.



Hence, it is best to perform Pilates on a fairly empty stomach. Foods rich in complex carbohydrates and lean proteins are a good choice in a Pilates diet as they will provide you with the energy necessary to perform your Pilates routine. It is also essential to keep the body hydrated while working out.



The best method of ensuring that your body stays hydrated is to keep taking sips of water as and when you feel thirsty.

One of the best methods of ensuring that you retain sufficient energy to see you through your Pilates workout regimen is to drink a high protein shake one to two hours before your workout. Blend two teaspoons of your favorite protein supplement with fruits such as berries, apples, cherries or pears that have a low glycemic index. Or you could choose to go for one of the readymade protein shakes that are available in the market.



Downing protein in liquid form a couple of hours before your workout ensures that your stomach is not full and bloated, so that you can carry out your Pilates bodywork with ease. At the same time it ensures that your body has an adequate supply of energy to help you carry out you Pilates routines properly.

What is a Pilates diet?

It must be kept in mind that although Pilates increases flexibility, and strengthens the core of the body, it does not burn as many calories as more energetic activities such as jogging or weight training. Hence, a high calorie diet should be avoided by those whose only form of exercise is Pilates. Some dieticians recommend restricting your daily calorie intake to 1200 calories as part of a Pilates diet. Yet others recommend that a minimum of 1500 calories per day is essential for good health. It is easy to lose track of what you should do among all these differing opinions.

Pilates is all about balancing the body and the mind. Practicing Pilates makes your mind more aware of your bodies needs. This same philosophy of balance and awareness should also be applied to a Pilates diet. A balanced diet is essential for proper nutrition and healthy living. A good Pilates diet plan should consist of small doses of food from all the major food groups. There are many scientifically formulated diet plans available that can easily be adapted to suit your Pilates diet.

The trickier question is how much?

Rather than give you a quantifying figure in terms of calories, I would suggest that you listen to your body. Every individual’s energy requirements are unique and therefore so are the number of calories that need to be consumed by him or her. As a Pilates practitioner you will learn to understand your body better and it will begin to identify when it needs nourishment.