Fruit can add a sweet boost to your workout

If you're an early bird who catches the workout in the morning, drink some juice first, recommend the experts at the American Council on Exercise. Afterward, have a breakfast that combines protein and carbohydrates to help replenish energy stores.

If you like to exercise in the evening, keep your energy up by chowing down on five or six small meals throughout the day. ACE fitness gurus recommend eating mainly complex carbohydrates such as whole- grain breads, beans and other vegetables, whole-grain crackers and fruit, which can keep your blood sugar stable.

ACE exercise specialists say you'll keep your motivation to exercise if you:

• Have a glass of juice to boost your energy before a morning workout.

• Eat a breakfast that includes whole grains and fruit or fruit juice.

• Eat small, frequent meals and snacks during the day to maintain your blood sugar.

• Make sure to have a light, healthy snack an hour before your noon or after-work workout.

• Stay hydrated, keeping a water bottle at your desk at work.

• Limit, or eliminate, the caffeine in your diet.

Add some organic blue corn tortilla chips and have a quick, tasty snack with this salsa recipe from ACE and Foodfit.com

Orange and Mango Salsa

2 large oranges, peeled, segmented and diced

1 large mango, peeled, pitted and diced

½ cup diced red onion

1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced

2 tablespoons chopped, fresh cilantro

1½ teaspoons olive oil

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice

1 teaspoon kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

In a stainless-steel bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.

Serves four.

Nutrition values per serving: 96 calories, 2 g fat (0 saturated), 22 g carbohydrates, 7 g fiber, 1 g protein, 0 cholesterol, 484 mg sodium.

ACE and Foodfit.com