Should You Eat Before or After Working Out?

 

 

One of the most effective ways to get into shape is to exercise and to do it often.

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity. Or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity, or an equivalent combination each week.

For example, you can go for a run on Monday, do interval training on Tuesday, and swim on Wednesday.

While it’s important to find an exercise you enjoy so you can stay motivated, one of the most essential pieces of working out is eating the right snacks and reviewing your upcoming workout schedule.

But, figuring out exactly when to eat can be confusing. Is it better to eat before or after working out? Keep reading for the answer.

The Benefits of Eating Before Working Out

Eating before working out has many benefits.

First, it provides the body with energy to use during the workout. Second, it can help to prevent nausea and lightheadedness. This sometimes occurs during or after exercise.

Third, it can help to improve the quality of the workout. This is by providing the body with nutrients to use during exercise.

Finally, it can help to speed up the recovery process after the workout. This provides the body with nutrients to repair and rebuild muscles.

The Drawbacks of Eating Before Workout

There are a few drawbacks to eating before working out. If you eat too close to your workout, you may get cramps. You may also not have enough energy to power through your workout if you eat too close to it.

Additionally, you may get an upset stomach if you eat right before working out and may not burn as many calories if you eat before working out because your body will use the food you ate for energy instead of burning calories.

Finally, you may not be able to reach your peak performance if you eat before working out.

Eating After Workout

If you’re working out regularly, you might be wondering if you should be eating after your workout. The answer is not a simple yes or no – it depends on your goals.

If your goal is to lose weight, then you should not be eating after exercise. The calories you burn during your workout are a major factor in weight loss. Eating afterward will cancel out those calories.

If your goal is to build muscle, then you should be eating after your workout. The calories you consume will help to repair and build muscle tissue.

Here’s an exercise library for personal trainers to help you get started on your workout.

What to Eat Before or After Working Out

This is still an ongoing debate among people about whether to eat before or after working out. One thing is for sure for those who are working out.

It is important to fuel your body before a workout to have energy and perform your best. But, it is also important to give your body time to digest before working out.

Experiment to see what works best for you and listen to your body. Get started now!

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