When should you eat after exercise?
This is a question that everyone has in mind. When should I eat after exercising?
After finishing a workout, your metabolic rate is elevated, and it can stay elevated for some time. With out getting too technical, this metabolic after-burn is called excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), and is characterized by a high usage of stored fat as fuel. Exercise has used up the fuel circulating in your blood, and some of your stored glucose, so you are now accessing stored fats. well done.
To keep the ball rolling and to continue to use stored fat after you’ve finished exercising, delay your eating. Try to avoid consuming anything but water from 30-60 minutes after you have finished training. As soon as you consume any food or drink containing kilojoules, that food will jump back to the top of the fuel-burning hierarchy, and your body will stop utilizing stored fuel as fat.
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- Why exercise in the morning…
- Too much of exercise,Too bad
- Exercise and You
This post was written by:
Sanjana - Dietitian - who has written 311 posts on Nutrihealth – Your Daily Diet Gyaan.
A dietitian from Mangalore, India. A post graduate diploma holder in “Dietetics” and a university topper from Welcomgroup School of Hotel Administration from the prestigious Manipal University. At present working as a Dietitian for the Manipal Group of Hospitals namely KMC hospital Mangalore, India. Consultant for corporates like Infosys and others, conducting talks and presentations for various associations and local television shows.
4 Responses to “When should you eat after exercise?”
Feel free to drop in your comments, I would love to hear from you :)
Sanjana,
You are doing an excellent job. This site has a wealth of information. Keep it up.
Just a question:
How long after eating should one do exercises? I avoid going to Gym after eating, but won’t it be better to burn the sugars by going to Gym about 30 minutes after eating?
Thanks for your effort.
Harsha
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Sanjana - Dietitian Reply:
October 12th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Thanks Harsha,
With encouragement from dedicated followers like you, I will strive to do better.
As for your question, It depends on the size of the meal. If you eat a light meal, it is fine to exercise within an hour of eating. Light meals include sandwiches, soups, porridges, fruits, yogurt etc. Very heavy meals can make you feel sick during the work out. So it is better to eat lightly before exercise. Heavy meals include complete meals like lunch, snacks with high fiber and lots of veggies as this may not digest well. If you really have to exercise at a time which is close to your exercise routine, then eat lightly and split the calories of the large meal into one half before exercise and one half after exercise. This will contribute to better digestibility.
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Physical exercise should be done preferably on an empty stomach.If it is difficult , a cupof coffeeor tea,cocoa or milkmay be taken beforedoing the ecercixes. Exercise may be taken without discomfort one hour after a very light meal. Those who cannot find time todoexercisein the morningorevening,but can snatch time during the courseofthe day must ensure thatthey allowatleastfours toelapseafteraheavy mral beforestarting the practice. MUST Foodmaybetaken half an hourtofortyminutes aftercompletion ofthe exercisedependindingonthe FOODMAYBE TAKEN HALF AN HOUR TO FORTYFIVE MINUTES AFTERCOMPLETION OF THE EXERCISESdependingon the typeof workout.
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hey Sanjana! this is indeed a great collection and sharing of knowledge…
i have a question:
My younger brother, aged 15, is a national level badminton player.he’s in Std 9 and has excellent in intellect and physique. but he is very thin. ok, he does have powerful muscles and all but they’re not as “bulky” (by that i mean,adequate mass), and there’s no ignoring one thing, he is THIN.he has a very hectic daily routine comprising school, tuition, and training. he does weight training too. would you agree that he needs to take protein drink, like nestle resource high protein? as far as his diet is concerned, its quite healthy,that includes minimal/no junk…. and all healthy veggies and fresh juices etc.
anxiously waiting for your reply…
-nachi
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