Should you eat before or after working out?

Eating and exercise go hand in hand. When and what you eat can impact how you feel when you exercise, no matter what type of activity it is.  Even though we know how important this can be, we still aren’t sure if we should or shouldn’t eat before exercise.  Here are a few points to consider:

1. Studies have shown that fueling up before a workout leads to an improved ability to work harder for longer.
2. If you feel fatigued during your workouts and extremely hungry or irritable after, try eating something beforehand instead of going in on an empty stomach.
3. A post-workout meal should have adequate protein to repair muscle, carbs to replenish glycogen stores, and some fat to balance the meal, eat within two hours of your workout session when possible.
4. Personal preference should definitely be taken into account when deciding what to eat and when, but keep in mind different types of workouts do require different levels of energy and fuel to achieve optimal performance.

For ideas on great pre and post-workout meals contact us!