How long do you leave it after a workout to eat something?

WendyTerry420

I'm just curious is all.

Leave what? What are you talking about?

lilRicki

within 45 minutes of my work out I try and suck back protein powder and water

cdngirl71

I usually eat something within 30-45 minutes after a workout.

mockchoc

My trainer said to have yogurt of chocolate milk straight after working out.

ardisia32

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According to Alex Hutchinson's book "Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights?" eating within 2 hours of exercising is beneficial to recovery. I highly recommend this book, as it answers a lot of similar questions, and presents the relevant science-based evidence (or discusses the lack of such evidence).

What's the context of the 2 hours? What if you eat a meal 90 minutes before exercise? What if you workout fasted? How about if your workout is a 2 hr run vs 30 minutes of heavy lifting vs a zumba class vs yoga?

Good questions. As Dr. Hutchinson points out in the book the work out intensity should be a guide to how much one may consider eating after a work out. A light work may not require any food, whereas a heavy work out will justify eating a bit more. The point of the two hours can be explained in this paragraph from p211 or p212 (I have a Kindle copy, so hard to pinpoint), "The key factors to consider are when and what you eat. For the first half-hour after exercise, the body is processing nutrients to repair itself at a dramatically elevated rate. After about two hours, this “window” is closed and the opportunity for any accelerated recovery is lost. This is where high-tech recovery bars and drinks can be useful, since they’re easy to have on hand immediately after you finish exercising—though it’s also easy to pack a sandwich in your workout bag." He then goes on to discuss studies that examined carb-protein ratios used by weightlifters and endurance athletes, as well as studies looking at food intake after exercise by those specifically trying to lose weight, and how insulin sensitivity is affected by exercise. He also discusses the popularity of chocolate-milk as a post-work out snack.

For further details I would encourage you to read the book -- I learned about it from a blog called Science-Based Medicine. While the book didn't have answers for everything, it was a good starting point, and an good read.

lyninit2winit

if you have really long work outs you may need a gatorade and or snack to get through then eat after within an hr a good meal with protein it is vital for recovery.

dr3w_s

within 30 mins, I noticed that if I wait until more than 2 hours to eat something, I would feel tired for the rest of the day



















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kdeaux1959

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nutrient timing is irrelavent

This

That said I'm always hungry right after training so that's when I eat.

Nutrient timing is irrevelant with regard to weight loss but many suggest that for muscle development and weight training, eating carbs before (for energy) and protein during and/or immediately after will help with muscle repair.

chrisdavey

i typically have bcaa's intraworkout so no time. (not for any perceived benefits just because it tastes damn good )

kdeaux1959

It is not common but there have been a few times when I would stop at a store after a workout (about 10 minutes away) to get drinks for the family and I would be so shaky I had to get a granola bar (or something similar).... There is a time when it is necessary... in those instances, it should not be ignored.

mareeee1234

I like to have chips and dip on the treadmill so I don't go in to starvation mode while I'm running.

omg HAHAAHAHA

mareeee1234

but yeah, usually 20-60 mins after

skcardiog

Yoda told me to eat yogurt right after a workout, who am I to argue with Yoda ?

eatcleanNtraindirty

show previous quotes

nutrient timing is irrelavent

This

That said I'm always hungry right after training so that's when I eat.

Nutrient timing is irrevelant with regard to weight loss but many suggest that for muscle development and weight training, eating carbs before (for energy) and protein during and/or immediately after will help with muscle repair.

^someone gets it

faceoff4

Within 30 mins and its usually packed with a lot of protein as well as good carbs

alyssamiller77

I'm just curious is all.

I usually work out later in the evening so I don't get home until around 11:00PM. I don't like to eat that late at night so I typically won't have anything again until breakfast the following morning (around 7:30AM on most days).

chosengiver

I like to have chips and dip on the treadmill so I don't go in to starvation mode while I'm running.

ABSOLUTELY ^^^THIS^^^

AntWrig

Your body is primed to receive energy and nutrients right after a workout. I look for something with a lot of protein and eat it as soon as possible.

False.

taso42

An hour or two generally. It's not a hard & fast rule. Just that usually I work out, I'm hungry, I eat.

killer15081

I usually eat a protein shake .15 to 30 minutes after workout ,that's the best time when your body is craving nutrients to build muscle and replenish .also drink a lot of water throughout the day boost metabolism !

mideon_696

yeah i dont worry too much about this either.

i've had workouts start at 10pm...with work the next morning. be farked if i'm gunna put down an entire meal at midnight when im done. plus it's after 10pm... :P

but before that workout through the day i will have hit my macro's sufficiently in prep for said workout.
and like chris, BCAA's throughout a session like that!! and before bed...and a drink bottle next to bed :P
then i'm also an IF'er (2pm-10pm), so more of them in the morning...sipping until lunch cause its dayum tatsty!

taso42

Now you guys really got me thinking whether I should be chuggin some bcaa's intraworkout.

mrdjmo

I try to leave it an hour but if im hungry I just eat lol

chosengiver

BCAAs afterwards but for DOMS, not because I'm starving.

nexangelus

Um, I am usually thirsty so I drink lots post workout. Eating, if I have some cals left in my allowance and I am actually hungry, then it could be straight after to many hours after. Depends on how I feel and if I have used up all my allowance for that day : )

sophasaurusxx

I usually eat within an hour of going to the gym, i drnk lots of water whilst at the gym, im just not hungry when i get home u till an hour later