Do I HAVE to eat after a cardio workout?

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girlalmighty08
girlalmighty08 Posts: 130 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Sometimes my days are quite busy and I can't get to the gym until 7pm or so. I don't like eating that late so I'm wondering if it's crucial for me to eat something after a cardio workout?

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  • MissusMoon
    MissusMoon Posts: 1,900 Member
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    No. Eat when you're hungry.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,442 Member
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    No.
  • Jonny15121983
    Jonny15121983 Posts: 573 Member
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    How about drinking? Perhaps something like a protein shake would at least give your body a little nutrition at the same time as you are re-hydrating.

    It is completely your decision and there is no exact right or exact wrong way to go about doing things, though if you have just stressed your body and especially if you have been breaking down your muscles, then that protein will go a long way to helping your muscles not only repair but to also become stronger.
  • wilsoncl6
    wilsoncl6 Posts: 1,280 Member
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    No, you don't have to eat anything after a workout. However, getting a little protein in you afterwards can help prevent muscle breakdown for energy or assist in muscle repair. This is more detrimental with lifting than it is with straight cardio but it all depends on how hard you pushed your body. Is your concern with eating that late related to digestive problems or are you just afraid of putting food in your stomach when you don't plan on being active shortly afterwards? If it's a digestive concern, that's understandable. If you're just concerned about digesting food while your asleep, ease your mind on that.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
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    Nope. Not if you've eaten enough through the day.
  • Suspended_User
    Suspended_User Posts: 16 Member
    edited June 2016
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    You should, yes. There is a window after cardio exercise (roughly equivalent to the length of the workout) when your body is trying to replenish your glycogen stores. This is one of the only times (besides during exercise) your body will effective use carbs. Giving it some carbs (not loading or stuffing it, just some) will help this process and speed recovery. In my opinion, protein shakes that are low carb after a workout are misplaced. Building muscle after a workout is a long process that last well into the next day, and can/should be supported later. Replenishing glycogen stores should be a bigger priority just after a cardio workout.
  • Plunderedsoul
    Plunderedsoul Posts: 20 Member
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    If you eat during the day, and have breakfast early in the morning (a hearty breakfast preferably) it shouldn't be absolutely vital that you eat after cardio workout. It depends also on your goal, however. If you're trying to add muscles, you might want to cram something with protein down.
    But if it's that you get nauseated when you eat that late, maybe one of those protein drinks would be better? There's this thing on the market called protein water. I have not tried it yet, but to just have a chug of that along with regular water might at least prevent you from feeling like you're dying from starvation in the morning and going to consume your entire fridge in some kind of frenzy. Not that I've ever done something like that *sweats nervously*
  • SkezzaShredder
    SkezzaShredder Posts: 39 Member
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    Doesn't this depend what time of the day it is though? Like if you have a heavy workout in the morning, then in my opinion, eat quickly afterwards because you might crash and become very hungry. That's when you're likely to binge. However, late at night? Maybe some 0% natural yoghurt or tofu, just enough to get you to bed. By the time the morning comes, you'll be ready for food and you won't have binged.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
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    Yes you must eat or all the protein supplement salesmen will be out of a job.

    (Serious answer - no it's not at all crucial.)
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
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    No, its not crucial to eat after a workout. Just make sure you are reaching your allotted calories though but it doesn't matter when you have them.
  • SkezzaShredder
    SkezzaShredder Posts: 39 Member
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    sijomial wrote: »
    Yes you must eat or all the protein supplement salesmen will be out of a job.

    (Serious answer - no it's not at all crucial.)

    I'm a great protein salesman. I can sell you pure protein.... and to make it better, I disguise it as chicken :smiley:
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
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    SkezzaShredder wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    Yes you must eat or all the protein supplement salesmen will be out of a job.

    (Serious answer - no it's not at all crucial.)

    I'm a great protein salesman. I can sell you pure protein.... and to make it better, I disguise it as chicken :smiley:
    I find chicken very hard to squeeze into my protein shaker. Maybe I should try slaughtering it first?
  • SkezzaShredder
    SkezzaShredder Posts: 39 Member
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    sijomial wrote: »
    SkezzaShredder wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    Yes you must eat or all the protein supplement salesmen will be out of a job.

    (Serious answer - no it's not at all crucial.)

    I'm a great protein salesman. I can sell you pure protein.... and to make it better, I disguise it as chicken :smiley:
    I find chicken very hard to squeeze into my protein shaker. Maybe I should try slaughtering it first?

    Odd... maybe your protein shaker is broken? Mine go in no problem, feathers n'all?
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
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    We really should collaborate on my new diet & exercise book.....

    "The Clucking Easy Diet and Fowl Wrestling HIIT Workout for 6-pack Abs in Just 5 Minutes a Day."
  • SkezzaShredder
    SkezzaShredder Posts: 39 Member
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    Sounds spot on to me ;)
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
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    sijomial wrote: »
    We really should collaborate on my new diet & exercise book.....

    "The Clucking Easy Diet and Fowl Wrestling HIIT Workout for 6-pack Abs in Just 5 Minutes a Day."

    I'll happily send you my bank details to pre-order that bad boy!
  • FitPhillygirl
    FitPhillygirl Posts: 7,124 Member
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    If you are hungry, yes. If not, no. My blood sugar almost always drops if I excercise for more than an hour and I have to eat something.
  • Wicked_Seraph
    Wicked_Seraph Posts: 388 Member
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    I don't think you have to - I never eat afterwards unless my cardio happened to be right before dinner or weekend breakfast. I don't suffer for it, and in fact I've noticed that it keeps my appetite at bay longer than those days I DON'T work out in the morning.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
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    well. Eventually you're going to want to eat- so yes?

    but there isn't a set time to eat- just eat when you're hungry.
    After I do cardio I'm famished- so I want to eat all the things immediately after- but that's just me- and I'm weird like that.
  • Sassie_Lassie
    Sassie_Lassie Posts: 140 Member
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    If you're not hungry after then don't eat.

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