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What should I eat before and after my morning, afternoon or evening workout? So you've got your fitness routine down, but are you still unsure what or when you should eat to maximize your workouts? Registered dietitians and sports nutrition experts weighed in with some suggestions. No matter what time of day you exercise or what schedule you may have, these time-inspired pre- and post-workout snack ideas will help ensure that you remain on top of your game.
Early Morning Workout Pre-Workout: 1 medium banana and 4-ounce non-fat plain yogurt While you may not feel much like eating first thing in the morning, proper fueling is essential to maximize your early morning sweat session. ACE Senior Fitness Consultant Natalie Digate Muth, MD, MPH, RD, CSSD, recommended consuming this relatively small carbohydrate and protein snack 30 to 60 minutes before exercise. According to research, it helps to increase glucose availability near the end of the workout, and decrease exercise-induced muscle protein break down. If you're unsure about whether or not this will sit well so early before hitting the gym, Muth said that "the best food (choices) will be low in fat and fiber to minimize GI distress during exercise." Post-Workout: Graham crackers, peanut butter and low fat chocolate milk Internationally known sports nutritionist and habitual early morning exerciser, Nancy Clark, MS, RD, CSSD, opts for this easy snack after exercise because she finds it's the perfect combination of carbs needed to refuel muscles, and protein that helps repair and rebuild muscles. If you're looking for something heartier to get your day started right, Clark recommends her almost daily favorite — a peanut butter and honey sandwich on whole grain bread with a glass of low-fat milk. "The milk is not only for high-quality protein, but also calcium for my bones," said Clark, a board certified specialist in sports dietetics. Lunchtime Workout Pre-Workout: An apple with a hard-boiled egg If you're always on the go, then you're a lot like The Nutrition Twins®, Lyssie Lakatos, RD, and Tammy Lakatos Shames, RD, authors of the book "The Secret to Skinny." Having readily available foods that can be easily consumed will ensure you're fueling during a busy schedule. "Eating an apple is a great way to top off carbohydrate stores and the perfect way to get an energy-reviving boost pre-workout. Plus, it settles well in our stomachs," said the pair. When you add a hard-boiled egg to the mix, you've got a snack with a little more staying power that's perfect about an hour before your next cardio session. Post-Workout: Yogurt, an orange, and a red bell pepper What do these three foods have in common? They're all items you'll find prepped, peeled, cut and ready to eat inside The Nutrition Twins® fridge at any time. "These are some of our favorite foods and they're easy to grab since we are always on the go and hustling off to our next appointment," said Lakatos and Shames. And aside from the convenience, there are some very good reasons these registered dietitians reach for these snacks after breaking a serious sweat. According to the pair, each of these foods is high in water, making them both hydrating and refreshing. "The red bell pepper is packed with water and antioxidants, which are needed to help repair damage done to muscles and tissues during the exercise session. The yogurt is a great way to get both energy-reviving carbohydrates and muscle-building protein, in addition to a great source of bone-building calcium and potassium to prevent muscle cramps." As if that wasn't enough, including the orange adds a sweet element to this snack that's jam packed with potassium and vitamin C, which the twins said is critical for preventing some of the oxidative damage done to tissues and muscles by the free radicals created during exercise. Evening Workout Pre-Workout: Banana with 1 tablespoon peanut butter About an hour before you leave work for the day, reach for this small snack so that you can focus your time at the gym on your workouts and not on your grumbling stomach, suggested Kristen Carlucci, Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Expert for Pitney Bowes, Inc. "I look for foods that will keep my energy high (carbohydrates) and satisfy my hunger (protein and/or healthy fats) to fuel me through my workouts," she said. Post-Workout: Mini-meal smoothie (plain nonfat yogurt + mango + pineapple + cinnamon + a touch of toasted wheat germ) Washington, D.C.-area registered dietitian, Emily Ann Miller, MPH, RD, recommended this mini meal because it encompasses the three important elements of refueling — fluids (provided by the water-rich fruits), carbohydrates (in fruit and yogurt) and protein (in yogurt and wheat germ). "Fluids are needed to replace what's lost through sweat, while muscles need carbohydrates to replenish the glycogen that was used during exercise," said Miller. She whips up this satisfying combo 30 to 60 minutes after an intense hour-long workout. And while the protein in this smoothie helps you to feel full and is believed to possibly enhance muscle recovery, Miller said the protein does not replenish glycogen stores. To do that, it's important to make sure your post-workout snack or meal contains about three to four times as many calories from carbs than from protein. For more great healthy pre- and post-workout meal ideas and helpful advice from food and nutrition experts, check out this helpful guide, jam-packed with 300 simple and mouth-watering recipes! And be sure to check back next week for activity-based pre- and post-workout snacks. By Jessica Matthews, MS, E-RYT http://www.acefitness.org/blog/2514/what-should-i-eat-before-and-after-my-morning/?utm_source=Health%2BeTips&utm_medium=email&utm_term=April%2B2012%2BR&utm_campaign=Consumer%2BOutreach&CMP=EMC-HET_0412R
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Thanks for all your comments and questions!
If you are looking for the best way to refuel your body after long, strenuous endurance exercise, a 4:1 combo of carbohydrate and protein seems to be your best choice. While solid foods can work just as well as a sports drink, a drink may be easier to digest make it easier to get the right ratio and meet the 30 minute window. Some good examples are chocolate milk (you all know how much I love chocolate milk for a recovery drink! :), cheese and crackers, yogurt and granola, beans and rice, etc. Read this full article for more information: http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/nutrition/a/aa081403.htm And read this article for other carb/ protein meal/ snacks ideas: http://articles.cnn.com/2009-09-01/health/post.work.out.meals_1_protein-brown-rice-low-fat-yogurt?_s=PM:HEALTH How many calories should you be eating a day?
Are you eating for the healthy weight you want to be at? Figure out a good estimate through the BMI calculator on this page http://nutritiondata.self.com/ or message us @ [email protected] and we can help you figure it out! Have a wonderful healthy day! Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body,
it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity. – John F. Kennedy This website is an awesome resource to find what foods contain what nutrients, calculate your caloric and general dietary needs, etc.
It should definitely be bookmarked! http://nutritiondata.self.com/ "Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise
save it and preserve it." – Plato "Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths.
When you go thru hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength." - Arnold Schwarzenegger We are excited to announce Fit For Your Adventure is officially Zumba licensed!
Can't wait to party it up with you all! Zumba!! : D |
AuthorCharity Bidegain, ACE Certified Personal Trainer. Supporting all who live the mission of helping us all to live healthier, more fulfilled lives. Archives
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