Everything You Need to Know about Pre and Post Workout Nutrition ...

By Taji

Are you interested in learning more about pre and post-workout nutrition, but don’t know where to start? I used to think pre and post-workout nutrition was something only body builders did. Now I realize it’s important for anyone who is committed to a healthy lifestyle. Get the lowdown on pre/post workout nutrition with these seven simple tips!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:

1

You Don’t Need to Eat like a Sumo Wrestler

People think pre-workout nutrition often means they need to eat a massive amount of food. But they honestly couldn’t be further from the truth. The whole concept of “fueling up” before a workout is honestly a little overrated. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t eat something before working out, but a banana with a drizzle of peanut butter packs 150-200 calories and is the perfect amount of carbs, protein, and fat to give you energy. A larger portion than this might leave you feeling sluggish instead.

2

Consider the Three Basic Macronutrients

Remember back in the day when you learned about protein, carbohydrate, and fat? It seems like everyone is talking about these three basic macronutrients these days, and it’s important to understand that you’ll be getting different ratios of these macronutrients depending on your workout and whether it’s a pre or post-workout meal. For instance, pre-workout meals tend to be more carb-based to provide energy, while post-workout meals tend to be more protein-based to facilitate recovery.

3

Timing is Super Important

Timing is especially important, especially for post-workout meals. You’ve got about a 30-minute window following your workout to fuel yourself properly and reap the rewards of your hard work. This means if you have to pack your post-workout meal in your bag or eat it in the car, just do it!

4

Make It Easy on Your Self & do Some Meal Prep Beforehand

Speaking of meal prep, considering the time crunch you’re in with pre and post-workout nutrition, try to make your meals as simple as possible and do most of the prep work beforehand. Grilled chicken and half a sweet potato from the last night makes a simple post-workout meal that can easily be microwaved or eaten on the run!

5

Avoid Unnatural Foods like Protein Shakes

Most athletes and body builders swear by a certain brand of protein powder for their post-workout nutrition or like to consume a certain sugary pre-workout drink before exercising. Honestly, I’m not a fan of either. I’d much rather you eat real, whole foods and real carbs/fats/protein than some powdered and processed drink.

Famous Quotes

Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration.

Niccolò Machiavelli
6

It’s Important to Be Consistent

Don’t think you can follow a perfect pre and post-workout nutrition plan one day and get toned the next day. For pre and post-workout nutrition to work, you need to do it every day! It might be a little tedious, but give it a good 4-6 weeks and see if you notice any results.

7

Something Different Works for Everyone

This goes to say that no meal plan or diet works for everyone. You might notice you do better working out on an empty stomach. You might be a vegan and have different protein needs. Bottom line, figure out the pre and post-workout regiment that works for you, even if that involves a little trial and error.

Pre and post-workout nutrition might sound like it’s something only body builders do, but it definitely has its place in a variety of nutrition and fitness programs. What are your favorite foods to nosh on pre and post-workout?

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Bananas make an excellent and simple pre-workout meal

I wish I liked bananas!!

The 30 minute window is false/wrong btw... It's a actually a 24/28 hour window :)

Bananas are always my go to food before a workout, this is so true!

There are plenty of protein drinks that has very low sugar content

24/28 hour window????? That's false!

Related Topics

7 Paleo Food Hacks That Will Change Your World ... These Are the Foods That Top Registered Dieticians Eat ... The Best Fruits to Eat when Youre on a Diet ... 7 Seeds to Eat Now for a Healthier You in 2 Weeks ... Put That Pan down Awesome Raw Foods You Can Eat to Avoid Cooking and Get Healthier ... Healthiest Options from Chain Restaurants ... Youll Live Longer by Eating These Foods ... Hungry Girls Should Eat These Delicious Foods to Stay Fuller for Longer ... Improve Your Health with These Nutrient Dense Foods ... This is What Gorgeous Women Eat to Look Younger Longer ... Genius

Popular Now