Perhaps you’ve heard that you should eat after exercise or physical activity, but wondered if eating or drinking immediately after exercise, competition, or other physical activity really matters.
Alternatively, you may have heard that it’s important, but didn’t know if there was specific information regarding how to do this or if you should have a specific plan for post-workout nutrition. In this article we provide useful information regarding nutrition after exercise.
Immediately after exercise or other physical activity, the tissues (especially your muscles) of your body are especially primed to accept and utilize nutrients for replacing energy stores, repairing damage to your body’s tissues, and using proteins to increase the size and quality of your muscles. This effect can last for up to 48 hours after exercise, but your body is generally most active in accepting and utilizing nutrients within about 2 hours after physical activity.
Ingesting a combination of fluids (with electrolytes), carbohydrates, and proteins as soon as you can after working out may help you take advantage of this ‘window of opportunity’ presented by your body’s normal utilization of nutrients described above. While you can drink a commercial product that contains carbohydrates, proteins, and electrolytes or make your own post-workout drink, you can also provide these essential nutrients by simply drinking something as simple and good-tasting as chocolate milk! You can then later have a complete, full meal 1 or 2 hours after your workout is complete.
We at DrAC Preventative Group can help you choose healthy foods to plan for pre-workout nutrition, post-workout nutrition, and for a healthy lifestyle in general.
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