Healthy Eating Confusion

There is a lot is discrepancy as to what you should and shouldn’t eat before and after a workout. Many people wonder if they should even eat at all before or after they hit the gym.  This article explains what you should eat depends on the type of workout you are doing, and it changes based on when you will be eating.

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So what should I eat?

Let’s say today’s workout is steady cardio, like running or the elliptical. You will need more carbs in your diet to provide you with energy. Eat something like whole wheat toast, with an egg or some carrots and hummus if you are eating before your workout. If you are waiting until after, you will need some more protein to help your body to recover. Try grilled chicken breast with brown rice.

If you’re more about strength training, you’ll want to increase your protein and fats. A good pre-workout snack is plain Greek yogurt with blue berries and a tablespoon of peanut butter. If you will be eating after you lift, salmon, kale, with some sweet potatoes and butter will provide you with the necessary nutrients to help your muscles recover.

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One Last Tip

Many people make the mistake of not eating before they workout and then eating in excess after. This usually happens because people overestimate the amount of calories they burn during exercise. To combat this, try to schedule your meals around your workout for example, if you are exercising in the morning, eat a smaller snack like a banana with peanut butter beforehand and a full breakfast after. Check out this article to learn more about what to eat to help your fitness goals.