You are doing what you can to maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising. To get the most out of your workouts, you need to ensure that you are eating foods that will maximize your fitness gains. Here are some of the things you should eat before, during and after your workout.
Carbs
If you are wondering what to eat before a workout, the answer to that question is carbs. These may have gotten a bad rep in the past few years, but they are necessary fuel for your muscles. Carbohydrates keep your muscles working so that you can get the most out of your workout.
To ensure optimum results, make sure you eat enough carbs to keep you fueled but not so many that they will upset your stomach or make you feel sluggish. Knowing the proper amount will depend on your body type and the type of exercise you engage in. It’s also recommended that you eat these 1 to 4 hours before your workout to get the best results.
Supplements
Taking pre-workout supplements might also be another way to give your body the fuel and energy it needs to get you through your exercise routine. There are also many options for muscle recovery or pain relief, so finding one that will work for your needs may require some experimentation.
Sports Drinks
While you are working out, you need to stay hydrated and energized, and workout drinks can help with that. Sports drinks can be infused with a variety of vitamins and minerals that may increase your performance. They also come in a wide range of flavors, so finding the workout drink that tastes good and benefits your body shouldn’t be hard.
Proteins
When it comes to your post-workout meal, the best thing you can do for your body is to balance protein with carbs, vitamins and minerals. While you may be tempted to skimp on the meal you eat after working out to stay lean, this isn’t the best idea. Your body used a lot of energy and your muscles need fuel to heal and grow. Thus, eating a healthy meal 1 to 4 hours after your workout is the best way to stay in good shape and ensure your athletic success.
Adding protein to your post-workout meal is the best way to replace glycogen stores in your muscles that were depleted while you were exercising. If you don’t get enough protein in your diet, you may not see the muscle growth you were hoping for.
Finding the Workout Nutrition That’s Right for You
Determining which pre- and post-workout foods will benefit your body depends on several different factors. These include the type of workouts you are doing and your metabolism. If you want to get the most of what you’re putting into your body, you might consider talking to your doctor or a nutritionist. They’ll be able to let you know exactly what and when to eat to get the most out of the foods you eat before and after exercising.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle takes time and effort, but eating the right foods before and after your workout, as well as staying hydrated while you work out, is the best way to get the body you’ve been working for.
