Eating after swimming

missbirrell
missbirrell Posts: 133
in Fitness and Exercise
I wondered if anyone could tell me what's best to eat after swimming, please. Protein? Or carbs?

I am on a mission to lose 60lbs and I'm about 1/3 of the way in. Swimming is my only form of exercise at present (due to health and financial issues), I go 3/4x a week, for 30-45 mins a time. I have to eat something small (like crackers) prior to swimming because I have low BP and need the salt to keep me from fainting in the pool, but what can I eat after?

Replies

  • RunForChai
    RunForChai Posts: 238 Member
    I am a serious athlete and eat low carb, high protein and high fat---it works well for me. For after swimming, I bring a little baggie of pumpkin seeds, pecans and walnuts [about 3 carbs], or some slices of cheese, or a healthy turkey jerky stick.

    Good luck.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    I wondered if anyone could tell me what's best to eat after swimming, please. Protein? Or carbs?

    I am on a mission to lose 60lbs and I'm about 1/3 of the way in. Swimming is my only form of exercise at present (due to health and financial issues), I go 3/4x a week, for 30-45 mins a time. I have to eat something small (like crackers) prior to swimming because I have low BP and need the salt to keep me from fainting in the pool, but what can I eat after?

    You can eat whatever you want afterwards, provided you are meeting your daily nutrient and calorie needs.
  • missbirrell
    missbirrell Posts: 133
    True yes, but I wondered if there was anything best for my body for after the cardio.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    True yes, but I wondered if there was anything best for my body for after the cardio.

    eating food that's going to fit into your daily calorie and macro budget is best after your cardio. and before your cardio. and on days that you didn't do any cardio. there's no reason to overthink this
  • davert123
    davert123 Posts: 1,568 Member
    If you are going to do more cardio within a few hours eat carbs. Your muscle is sensitive to carb uptake immediately after exercising and you can help top up your glycogen levels ready for your next session. If you are not planning on doing any more cardio then I don't think it really matters as long as you hit your macros
  • _EndGame_
    _EndGame_ Posts: 770 Member
    I swim every single day.

    Eggs are my number 1 choice for before swimming. Soft boiled eggs, chopped up on toast, usually 2 eggs, 2 slices of toast. I found that if I eat eggs, the protein keeps me going for longer without feeling tired, whereas if I eat cereal or oats of some kind, I seem to burn out quicker.

    After swim sessions, I often get a turkey breast Subway, a turkey salad bowl (if I'm not feeling carbs that day) usually do this if I go swimming mid-day.

    Evening swim sessions, I usually have something fairly big. I eat my main meal quite late in the day, usually around 9pm (sometimes before, sometimes after) and I'm in bed within an hour after that.

    Basically, you can eat what you want, when you want, as long as it keeps you at an overall daily deficit, you're going to get the desired effect. I just thought I'd let you know what/how I eat, because I'm BIG on swimming, and I've only ever seen positive results.

    Also, try to focus more on your body shape, loose fitting clothing and measurements, etc. I found these have been more reliable overtime than the scale.

    Good luck!

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