Exercise is King. Nutrition is Queen. Put them together and you’ve got a Kingdom
Jack Lalanne
When you’ve planned a long trip, refuelling your car is one of the first things to do. Similarly, to function through an entire day, our body needs accurate nutrition at regular intervals to monitor the body’s energy requirements.
When talking about workouts, you need to pay closer attention to your meals. To help you with the same, we have catalogued the perfect regime for meals before, during, and after workouts. Keep reading to find out more!
Pre-Workout Meal:
A fuelled body before a workout is not only a healthy option but will also increase your performance levels. Of course, you do not have to start working out immediately. You can give it a good hour before you start. For pre-workout meals, you want to keep them light and low in fibre. High fibre can hinder your workout because they take longer to digest and attract blood to the digestive tract.
You can eat something rich in protein, fats, or carbs such as fruits, nuts, honey, eggs, and so on. People who prefer working out during the mornings usually find it tough to squeeze in the time for having a meal. As a result, you end up working out on an empty stomach, and by doing so, you’re just burning muscle instead of fat. Therefore, it is recommended that having at least walnuts and coffee is much better than having nothing at all.
During Workout Meal
The concept of this category is quite simple. You have to keep in mind that hydration and electrolytes, or a combination of the two, are all you need during your workout. You can simply drink water, which acts as an excellent cooling agent or choose your preferred sports drink.
Being a NASM-certified Personal Trainer, I recommend the BCAA Sports Drink because it is rich in electrolytes and amino acids. The formula is safe, without preservatives, and also facilitates muscle-building. By adding this to your regime, you have the perfect energy, protein, and electrolyte booster.
Post-Workout Meal
Firstly, I can’t wait to debunk the anabolic window. Many people vouch that eating during the short period of about 30 minutes after the workout yields astonishing results, but scientific facts say otherwise. You don’t have to rush right after to eat your meal. You can take your time, run your errands, and then eat a meal. Doing so will still help your body.
As long as you’re meeting the energy requirements and your body is getting the appropriate nutrition to rebuild and recover, you’re good to go. When choosing your post-workout meal, go for foods with ample protein and carbohydrates. For me, having a balanced meal is all that matters because I’ve seen the positive impact it leaves on the body.
Parting Thoughts
By regulating the intervals between your meals and workouts will not only help you achieve your fitness goals. It will also help maintain your performance levels during all the exercises. Apart from this, I actively promote eating well and at regular intervals throughout the day as well.
Just remember no skipping meals, healthy snacking without going overboard, and three balanced, nutrient-rich meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all you need to keep fuelling your body for the entire day!
