If you are going to spend the time in the gym to sculpt your
body and increase your fitness levels, you also need to take this dedicated
approach to your diet. The foods that you choose to eat before and after your
workout matter. This means that you need to reach for fitness foods that are
designed to help make your workout go further.
Your body needs adequate fuel to
push through tough workouts and the right foods can be the difference between
meeting your fitness goals or falling short. No matter what type of exercise
routine you choose to do, these are a few diet suggestions that will help you
get the most out of your workout.
Pre-Workout Fitness Foods
Even if you are active in the early morning hours, it is
always a good idea to eat before you head out to exercise. It is probably a
good idea to eat a pre-workout meal that is full of slow burning carbohydrates.
The best options include whole wheat toast, barn cereal or even a whole wheat
bagel. It is recommended that you eat about an hour before your workout, but if
that is not possible give yourself at least 30 minutes in between your
pre-workout meal and your exercise regimen.
A pre-workout meal
high in protein is always a good idea to help you boost recovery time and give
your body the fuel it needs. Greek yogurt is a great fitness food before your
workout, especially if you add nuts and fruit. Just a few years ago you did not
hear a lot about Greek yogurt, but it has quickly become one of the most
popular go-to high protein fitness foods on the market. This type of yogurt is
strained and is much thicker than traditional yogurt. This makes it much
healthier and the perfect snack to add fruit or nuts to. The power of Greek
yogurt comes from the protein content, which is about 15 to 20 grams in a 6
ounce serving. This is a lot more protein than can be found in traditional
yogurt. This makes it a great way to start any day or pre-workout meal.
Post-Workout Secrets
If you are doing long and grueling workouts that last at
least an hour, your body can benefit from a post-workout meal that consists of
milk. A glass of plain or chocolate milk can be a great way to help your
muscles recover. The carbs that are in the milk will give your body more energy
and will help to replenish that energy that you used up from your muscles. If
you want to speed up your muscle recovery time, you should drink a glass of
milk and eat a banana with peanut butter. This is the start of the post-workout meal of
champions. Read more on the Fitness Magazine site.
