A well-thought-out diet is one of the key elements of the human health, as it provides the person with all the essential nutrients and compounds needed for the body to function properly. When talking about workout regimes, the importance of nutrition is even more expressed, as those who indulge in regular exercise require energy, strength, endurance, focus and other fundamental features which can be provided solely with a healthy, nutritious diet. The type of nutrition depends on many different factors like the type of the workout which is performed, the length of the workout, but also the time when it’s consumed. In this article, we’re going to focus on the most important nutritional elements needed pre, post and during the workout regime.
Pre-Workout Nutrition
One of the most common mistakes by those looking to gain muscle mass or lose some weight is avoiding meals, especially pre-workout meals. Many believe that eating before the training will impair their ability to perform exercises properly. This is, of course, a wrong presumption. Eating a healthy meal or even a snack before the workout can actually promote muscle growth and provide the body with the needed energy to withstand the training. It’s important to note that the requirements of nutritional elements are different for professional athletes and those who exercise for personal pleasure. A person who indulges in regular exercise requires a balanced number of carbs, healthy fats and protein in their pre-workout meal. The best solution is to rely on foods with plenty of carbs, especially if the training will last more than 2 hours, as it will provide you with enough energy and boost your performance. It’s also a good idea to decrease the amount of fatty foods before working out.
During-Workout Nutrition
While eating during your workout regime is not the most common thing, it’s actually a great way to keep your body hydrated, preserve your muscles and also provide your body with immediate fuel to continue with the training. Drinking plenty of water and other fluids during your exercise will help keep your body’s temperature in check and keep you from getting dehydrated. As for carbs and protein goes, consuming foods with these essential compounds during the training is only necessary for those long and high intensity training regimes, as well as endurance athletes and bodybuilders.
Post-Workout Nutrition
When it comes to post-workout nutrition, its sole goal is to replenish your body and repair the body tissue which was lost during the workout. This is why consuming protein-rich foods is quite recommended after the workout. Also, many people rely on casein supplements, but mostly on optimum nutrition gold standard whey, which provides more whey protein isolates and contains lactase and aminogen digestive enzymes, which further enhances absorption. When it comes to carbs, it’s best to avoid refined carbohydrates and rely on fruits and whole-food carbs to restore liver glycogen. Drinking lots of water after the workout is one of the most important things, as you’ll want to replenish your body with all the water it lost by sweating.
Regular intake of all essential nutrients is crucial not only for professional athletes and people who indulge in sports regularly, but for all people looking to lead a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Learning where to find these necessary compounds, but also when to consume them and in which quantities can greatly help you maintain a healthy physique and a healthy mind. Every nutrient has a different function and finding how it affects your body is a crucial component of a well-considered nutrition.
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002458.htm
http://www.precisionnutrition.com/workout-nutrition-explained
http://www.precisionnutrition.com/about-post-workout-nutrition