Pre & Post workout food

NettyB62

I get up every morning and go to the gym and work with my trainer. I need suggestions on pre & post work out food.
Today I had: an homemade oatmeal muffin & 1 cup of skim milk. Last week, 1 day I ate a peanut butter sandwich before going to the gym. Another day I had Malt O Meal. Should I be adding protein at this time of day? Pre workout? maybe a hard boiled egg or a scrambled one?


Also I have noticed that about 30 minutes after I get home from the gym..I am starving! I feel like this is a dangerous time for me., so I try to be really careful about what I consume. It is a mid morning snack because it won't be lunch time yet.
One day I had 6 triscuit crackers and a baby bell cheese. That did seem to take the edge off quite well. Should I also add protein post work out?

ok gang...any suggestions/thoughts/comments?


~NettyB~

SpaceMarkus

You have about an hour of opportunity post-workout to really maximize your nutrition. This is the time when you want to reload all of the carbs you used during your workout, and add some protein if you're muscle building. A good ratio (agreed on by several organizations like the ISSA, ACE, and Beachbody) is 2 carbs for every protein.

DKev

Definitely protein and carbs post workout. Pre workout I tend to just stick to anything that will not have my guts churning during a workout. Usually oatmeal or a slice of high fiber toast with peanut butter.

jedinight32

Hi there,

I agree with DKev about protein and carbs post workout (especially if you finished a long run). As for a pre workout suggestion maybe a whole grain waffle with some peanut butter on it or some trail mix and for a post workout I usually have my protein shake with fat free milk but sometimes I have a glass of low fat chocolate milk or if you have time maybe an english muffin with a scrambeled egg and slice of cheese.

brookeg20

I usually eat a couple graham crackers about an hour before I workout, and then after I have a glass of low fat chocolate milk and sometimes a banana too depending on how hard the workout was. Everything that I have read about post workout food is protien and carbs within 30 mins of finishing the workout.

TiffanySuscheck

Protein is a MUST when working out
I start my day with an egg on a wheat English muffin (Aunt Millie's is only 100 cal)
And IMMEDIATELY after working out I have a protein shake (Muscle Milk is my fav, but I also drink "GNC Lean Protein, and sometimes I have a SlimFast)

Your body will not recover from your workout without you putting the right things in it (aka protein and fiber!)

bizco

Protein should be a part of every meal or snack.

RacerX_14

Gotta get that protein in there!!!

I do a 46 gram protein shake before and after each workout every day. It really helps repair your muscles after you've been ripping them to shreds!!

vs1023

Pre-workout I'll usually have some oatmeal with nuts and coconut milk with maybe a little protein powder thrown in. Post is a protein smoothie with greek yogurt.

kemeko

I also workout with a personal trainer. Pre-workout, I usually have a half protein bar or a protein shake (about an hour before). After the workout, it's breakfast time for me. So I load up on eggs and veggies.

Acg67

You have about an hour of opportunity post-workout to really maximize your nutrition. This is the time when you want to reload all of the carbs you used during your workout, and add some protein if you're muscle building. A good ratio (agreed on by several organizations like the ISSA, ACE, and Beachbody) is 2 carbs for every protein.

Such bro science...

gorgeouss9

peanut butter (or almond butter) w/ whole wheat toast.. and a cup of milk (or silk milk, or coconut water).

engineman312

i like a protein shake post work out. i make it to be about 400-700 caloires, which is about what i burn at the gym. so right there, i drink back my exercise calories. doesn't upset my stomach, and takes that edge off that some people have an hour or so after the gym when they want to EAT ALL THE THINGS!

Justjoshin

Before the gym, it really depends what my schedule looks like, but shakes usually sit better if I'm in a time crunch.

After the gym, I'm the guy that EATS ALL THE THINGS! (Which usually include a giant helping of eggs, mixed with whatever I'm feeling like)

EddieG77

I used to eat Wheat bread with natural PB but now I am eating a banana/whey protein prior and then another whey protein shake after.....the banana really adds a boost for me!!

JDMPWR

Pre workout a simple carb & a complex carb, post workout a simple carb a protein, then about a hr later protein in solid form and a small complex carb.

Sidesteal

Assuming you meet adequate macronutrient intake by end-of-day and assuming you aren't using a fasted training protocol, I would let personal preference and performance dictate your pre/post workout nutrition.

dwurth2

I usually have a protein shake pre workout--about an hour before, then after working out I have protein with a complex carb. Since you workout in the morning, and egg omelet with 1/3 cup oatmeal would be great post workout. You want to try to eat every 3 hours eating a protein with a complex carb at every meal.

dwurth2

Just wanted to say the advice I gave comes directly from my trainer.

Acg67

I usually have a protein shake pre workout--about an hour before, then after working out I have protein with a complex carb. Since you workout in the morning, and egg omelet with 1/3 cup oatmeal would be great post workout. You want to try to eat every 3 hours eating a protein with a complex carb at every meal.

Just wanted to say the advice I gave comes directly from my trainer.

None of that is necessary and if it is a burden to you to eat every 3 hrs, just find something that better fits your preference. There is no metabolic advantage to increased meal frequency

hillman18

I read that chocolate milk is one of the best post workout refreshers! I gulp a cup of it right when I get home & it holds me off from snacking while cooking dinner.

Pre-work out, I make energy bites. They consist of peanut butter, honey, wheat germ (or flaxseed), mini chocolate chips & rolled oats. One ball is about 135 calories & gives me the little "umph" i need w/o filling me up so that I feel too full to workout. If I don't have those handy, I eat a sliced apple w/2 tbsp peanut butter. 1 apple gives you the same amount of "enery burst" as a cup of coffee.

I like to keep things simple yet delicious!! :-)

soozeeg

Post workout try a protien shake/smoothie.

LVBelleAme

I am a morning work out person and the thought of eating anything before a workout makes me want to hurl. But post workout I have my morning juice (from my juicer, none of the store bought stuff) and then by the time I get to work a bowl of oatmeal and some kind of fruit. So far it's working for me <fingers crossed>.

SnowWhite824

I workout in the morning too.
You need to have several options, that are easy, and something you enjoy - That way, you will stick with it.

I think, that fruit like a banana or grapes are a great option for before your workout. Or half a banana with some peanut butter. But whatever you choose, make it simple and easy.
For after your workout, you need protein. Personally, I love me some Greek Yogurt BUT you have to do the plain, and add your own fruit. The pre-made with fruit are way to high in sugar! Adding milled flax seed in there will also help with hunger - You will NOT be hungry after eating 1/2c greek yogurt and 2 tbsp of milled flax seed, I promise you! Eggs are a great option too... If you can stomach them. I, cannot. Also, just because its breakfast time, doesn't mean that you HAVE TO eat breakfast foods. Have some chicken if its what you have on hand. Or some fish/shrimp. There are no rules here, its up to you!

jellyedge

Either nothing or just half of a banana pre-workout. A piece of fruit and protein powder mixed with skim milk post workout. Works for me!

ShapeUpSidney

None of that is necessary and if it is a burden to you to eat every 3 hrs, just find something that better fits your preference. There is no metabolic advantage to increased meal frequency

I'm not so sure...that's not what all of my super-jacked friends at the gym say...

ShapeUpSidney

I read that chocolate milk is one of the best post workout refreshers!

That study has been widely circulated by the dairy industry, and only involved 11 subjects who were endurance athletes...might want to read some more.

Acg67

None of that is necessary and if it is a burden to you to eat every 3 hrs, just find something that better fits your preference. There is no metabolic advantage to increased meal frequency

I'm not so sure...that's not what all of my super-jacked friends at the gym say...

ShapeUpSidney

as a heart attack...lol

mnwalkingqueen

I work out at 9pm each day...so I make sure I eat dinner 2 hours berfore going and post I usually have yogurt and fruit or bread with peanut butter.

mnwalkingqueen

None of that is necessary and if it is a burden to you to eat every 3 hrs, just find something that better fits your preference. There is no metabolic advantage to increased meal frequency

I'm not so sure...that's not what all of my super-jacked friends at the gym say...

When I started with a trainer he said my body was in starvation mode and requested that I start eating every two hours to get my metabolism working right.