What to Eat (and When) Before Working Out

I really liked this quickie article because as someone who usually works out later in the evening, I have definitely noticed that some food choices I make earlier in the day can affect how good or bad my workout is. Planning ahead and thinking about what your body needs for fuel will not only make you feel more energized and vibrant through out the day, but it will also greatly improve your workout stamina, help avoid injuries, and decrease recovery time. Eat up!

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What to Eat (and When) Before Working Out

When it comes to working out, you always want to make sure you have ample energy. However eating too close to vigorous exercise is a recipe for discomfort, but heading to the gym hungry isn't ideal either — something I learned during a recent session with my Crunch trainer, Tim Rich. Not being adequately fueled led to a weak-feeling workout and unusually sore muscles the next day. Wanting to maximize the potential of my training sessions, I turned to nutritionist Heidi Skolnik, MS, CDN, FACSM, and author of Nutrient Timing for Peak Performance to find out what to eat, and when, before heading to the gym. Keep reading to see the simple guidelines that Heidi suggests.

All Day Long

It's never a good idea to start a workout with a water deficit. Make sure to stay well hydrated before, during, and after exercise. Use the FitSugar calculator to see how much water you should be drinking daily. Keep in mind that the body needs to be hydrated to process calories; even being mildly dehydrated can slow down your metabolic rate.

Two to Three Hours Before a Workout

If you're planning a meal a couple of hours before working out, Heidi suggests eating a mix of carbs, protein, and fat, which falls in the 300- to 400-calorie range. Her suggestions include a small serving of lean protein with veggies, hummus and pretzel crisps, or a fruit and nut bar (we're partial to KIND and Larabars) with a small serving of yogurt. Avoid gassy food like beans and broccoli since they may cause intestinal discomfort.

One to Two Hours Before a Workout

As you get closer to your workout, carbs should become the focus of your snack (up to 50 grams) with just a little bit of protein. Heidi suggests cereal with skim milk or trail mix with a latte. If you only have one to two hours before your workout, keep your snack under 200 calories. This mixed protein-carb snack will help you feel satisfied and fueled and may also help reduce muscle soreness.

15 to 30 Minutes Before a Workout

If you only have 15 to 30 minutes before a scheduled workout, choosing a snack that is simple to digest is key, says Heidi. Pick a snack that has about 25 grams of carbs like a tablespoon of raisins, a few saltine crackers, or a small serving of applesauce.

Immediately Before a Workout

If you haven't eaten in awhile, don't skip out on food — even if you're just about to head into the gym, says Heidi. Your body will need the energy to power through whatever vigorous workout you put it through. Restrict this snack to carbs (up to 15 grams), and keep it light: seven to nine jellybeans, an eight-ounce sport drink, or one slice of white bread should do the trick.

Post-Workout Snack

Within 30 minutes of finishing a workout, eat a snack that is a mix of carbs and protein. This will help reduce muscle soreness, and, since your body's metabolic rate is higher after a workout, it will give it the fuel it needs to recover. Heidi's faves include chocolate milk or yogurt (throw in an energy bar if you're famished or had a really intense workout), or cottage cheese with a banana or pineapple.











Link: http://www.fitsugar.com/What-Eat-Before-Working-Out-2923890