What do I eat after the gym?

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Replies

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    As others have said, unless you're an ELITE ATHLETE, post workout meals are more a preference than a need. The notion that you need something to eat immediately after to "repair" your muscle is so much myth.
    Truth is all you're doing is adding to your calorie intake. And if you have a limited calorie allotment, that shake can interfere with it if you don't need it. So again, more preference than actual science.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

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  • Scamd83
    Scamd83 Posts: 808 Member
    OP, is this a duplicate post (did you ask the same question in another forum) because I'm sure I replied to this earlier but cannot see it anywhere or the total bro-science nonsense from someone telling you to down protein 30 minutes after a workout. Anyway, the person telling you for 99% of people it simply doesn't matter is correct.
    Hornsby wrote: »
    In reality, those "overpriced" protein shakes are probably the cheapest per gram of protein products there are. I would call them inexpensive before overpriced.

    I think in terms of how much protein you get for your money, protein powder is good value for money. Plus you get that protein with little carbs and fat which means you can get those two macronutrients from elsewhere (more peanut butter in my case). But if you can comfortably manage with whole foods in terms of hitting your macros and affordability, there's no need for protein powder. It's just a bonus thing to fill in the gaps. Or bronus as the brofessor on YouTube calls it.
  • Mystical64
    Mystical64 Posts: 108 Member
    Hornsby wrote: »
    In reality, those "overpriced" protein shakes are probably the cheapest per gram of protein products there are. I would call them inexpensive before overpriced.

    You get what you pay for. I get mine at MaxMuscle. It has been compared to all the other protein shakes and it has more protein and less sugar than any of the others.

    And why do I do one before and after? Your body needs it to recover. And I don't care what anyone says, I have been doing this for over a year and it has worked for me, so why would I change anything based on the opinions of people I don't even know.

  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Mystical64 wrote: »
    Hornsby wrote: »
    In reality, those "overpriced" protein shakes are probably the cheapest per gram of protein products there are. I would call them inexpensive before overpriced.

    You get what you pay for. I get mine at MaxMuscle. It has been compared to all the other protein shakes and it has more protein and less sugar than any of the others.

    And why do I do one before and after? Your body needs it to recover. And I don't care what anyone says, I have been doing this for over a year and it has worked for me, so why would I change anything based on the opinions of people I don't even know.

    Even expensive whey is still pretty darn cheap per gram of protein. Not sure what your reply to me was trying to say. Kinda confused me.
  • Arsenal1919
    Arsenal1919 Posts: 212 Member
    My trainer (about four years ago) suggested that if I was 'too tight to eat' or not ready to eat after my gym workout i should sip on 250-300 millilitres of skim milk or soy light milk to aid muscle recovery.
    These days, depending on my swim time (usually 125-200 minutes), I still occasionally use the milk theory (and it works) but almost as often I have an egg salad ... (an egg plus 125mL egg white, rocquette/baby spinach, half a sliced avocado, a small amount of grated parmesan).
    The latter is about 240-280 calories. The former runs to 105 calories (skim) or 130 (light soy).
  • CrabNebula
    CrabNebula Posts: 1,119 Member
    I don't feel like eating at all after I workout, so I don't. I just enjoy the feeling of not wanting food for as long as it lasts.
  • Shana67
    Shana67 Posts: 680 Member
    yisell25 wrote: »
    Hey everyone! Ok so question... I go to the gym 5 days a week, and everyday I work out a different muscle group with high intensity of cardio too. After my workout I burn roughly 700-850cals. So my question is after the gym SOMETIMES I'm hungry, not starving and many times I am not. What do I eat? What do I drink? Should I even eat? My goal is to loose weight but mostly tone.
    Please help. Thanks :)

    For me, it would just depend on the time of day. I work out at 6am, and don't have any appetite until at least 9am. I get super busy at work and sometimes won't even eat until lunch until noon.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I usually have dinner...on Saturdays, it's usually lunch.
  • dave_in_ni
    dave_in_ni Posts: 533 Member
    Post work out I eat carbs to get the glycogen levels back up, so it generally something like pasta or brown rice with some chicken, all washed down with a protein shake.
  • ashleyjongepier
    ashleyjongepier Posts: 130 Member
    If I work out before dinner, I eat dinner after, if I work out after dinner, I don't normally eat unless I am hungry and have calories left over. If I do a 1000k workout (not often) then I normally try to eat a full meal heavier in carbs after.
  • harrybananas
    harrybananas Posts: 292 Member
    Jams009 wrote: »
    Whatever you want, IIFYM.

    Op, this.
  • rippedhippie
    rippedhippie Posts: 24 Member
    1 cup low fat chocolate milk and a small banana.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I don't eat if I'm not hungry.