Is there a proper food to eat before and/or after a workout?

Question

I was thinking to maybe help the muscles recover? I get really hungry after a workout and I don't wan't to fill my body with a ton of calories and carbs after I just got done burning them. I am looking for something that will fill me up but good for me.

Answer 1

Yes you can eat foods with good quality carbs and proteins.
you can eat foods with low glycemic index. like apples, pasta, strawberry etc. you can have egg whites, chicken, tuna,whey protein supplements, which are great help for your muscles to recover rapidly.Also, i'd suggest you take good quantity of carbs in the first half of the day and reduce the amount in second half of the day and increase the amount of protein as the day ends as you will need less carbs as the day ends. having more protein will help your muscles grow.and if you eat carbs at the end of the day and just go to sleep they will be unused and will be stored as fat in your body.

Answer 2

As a University instructor in Nutrition and Strength Training, I disagree with some of the answers here. You need to eat quality carbs like Fruits, veggies and whole grain cereals, breads, pastas before and after your workout. What and how much depends on how soon you eat before you work out. Eat smaller, more easily digested foods closer to work out time. You need to eat carbs and a little protein within 30 minutes after your workout to replace the carbs used during your workout and to repair tissue. Carbs are the gas that gives you the energy to workout. Quality protein is necessary to repair and build muscle tissue but massive quantities are not needed. Multiply your body weight in kgs (# / 2.2) by 1.2 or 1.4 to determine how much you need. Too much protein harms the body and results in weight gain. Adequate rest between workouts is also needed to help muscles recover.

Answer 3

well , u c actually u should not eat cabohydrates within 2 hours of work out , actually if u don't eat for within 1 hour of doing workout it's better , if u can't resist try at least not eating for 1/2 to 1 hour , try drinking lots of water green tea , coffee stuff like that it helps keep ur metabolic rate above the normal and help weight loss, but u can however safely consume fruits and veggies (preferably ) before workout , but take at least an interval of 1/2 hour to 45 minutes after eating , specially if u have a queasy stomach , cos some ppl throw up , as u start working quickly after eating.

Answer 4

Fruit is the best. If you want something real good that's a treat after a good job well done, try this...
1 8oz fat-free cream cheese softened, mix with 1 pkg crystal light sugar-free flavored drink mix. I've used raspberry ice and pink lemonade, both are awesome. Then mix in 3 tubs of sugar-free or fat-free cool whip. Now eat up. It makes a lot so it will last a whole week probably. I eat it with strawberries, apples and grapes.

Answer 5

Water, fruit, and protein for muscles such as soy bar or chicken, turkey breast rolls. Good carbs as in these types of foods will also burn off 4x faster after a workout and your body requires them for energy replenish as well.

Answer 6

you shouldnt eat too soon before a workout, but you can eat some carbs for imediate energy, and protien and fat for reserved energy. after a workout, drink lots of water (with electrolytes) and more protein to help the body repair itself after the workout. hope that helps :)

Answer 7

lots of protein. and it doesnt really matter IMO if you eat it before or after. you have to eat it ALL the time in order to get the best results

Answer 8

skim milk after. Krebs cycle mineral chelates before.

Answer 9

a ton of health bars

Answer 10

protein before, for energy
water after, to rehydrate