Eat Before or After Workout?

There are several ways and reasons to exercise, but we all have one goal in mind and that is to get "fit". Now fit can mean anything from gaining muscle mass to slimming down, nevertheless we all have the same goal. No matter what fitness level you wish to achieve you have to eat, and to emphasize your fitness level, it is important to recognise what you eat before and after a workout.

A balanced mix of protein and carbohydrates are needed whether you are going to be doing a resistance or a cardio workout. The determining percentage of carbohydrates and protein you consume is whether or not you are doing cardio or resistance exercise and the intensity level that you plan to work at.

Your pre workout food intake should be anywhere between 1 and 2 hours before beginning. For a low intensity workout, you should keep your pre workout meal between 200-400 calories (this is just a guideline, seek a nutritionist to be sure). If you plan to exercise at a higher level of intensity, you should eat between 4,500 to 5,500 calories.

If you are doing strictly cardio you will be better off consuming more carbs than protein; something like 2/3 carbs to 1/3 protein. This will give you longer sustained energy from the extra carbs, with enough protein to keep your muscle from breaking down while you exercise.

Generally speaking you will need to consume approximately 1/3 carbs to 2/3 protein for strength training. The extra protein is to ensure that your muscle break down during exercise is kept to a minimal. Again, these are only guidelines, you should consult a nutritionist to see what will work best for you.

Eating after you exercise is just as important as your pre workout meal. Anytime you exercise it is important to eat even if you are not able to eat either before or after, it is still important to eat something. To get the best results there are many schools of thoughts as to what and when to eat before and after a workout. Just keep in mind that if you do not eat at all, once your body runs out of fuel to burn, it will start in on its own muscles. With this in mind, if you are strength training without eating before or after, you will not see the results that you are looking for. Do you ever notice that marathon runners have a very slim physique? This is in large part due to the fact that they have very long rigorous training sessions that require a lot of energy, and when those energy supplies run out, the body turns on itself; which is why a marathon runner has very little body fat, but also very small muscles.

Once more these are only guidelines to give you an idea as to why diet is an important component to fitness. Because I am not a nutritionist, if you are looking to achieve the best results possible you should seek out a qualified nutritionist. Remember everyone has a unique body, and what works for someone else may not work for you.