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

I'm just curious is all.

Leave what? What are you talking about?

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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^^^

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

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!

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

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 : )