"You are what you eat," as we've all heard before.
But what exactly does that imply?
It indicates that what we eat has a significant impact on our health, and our bodies' well-being is dependent on what we eat. That includes the foods we consume before to working out.
We'll go over why eating before a workout is important, what to eat before a workout, what supplements to use, and the necessity of water in this post.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO EAT BEFORE WORKING OUT?
For the same reasons that you take vitamins, you eat before doing out. You take them to boost your energy levels, nourish your body, and help you perform better during your workouts.
Whether you're trying to reduce weight, gain muscle, or enhance your health, what you put into your body is crucial to achieving your objectives.
When it comes to deciding what to eat before your workout, the same is true. What you put into your body will have an impact on your performance and the outcomes of your workout.
WHICH FOODS SHOULD I EAT BEFORE A WORKOUT?
Most foods are made up of three macronutrients. You've got your fats, proteins, and carbs. Each of these macros has a specific function, and knowing what those functions are and how the body uses them will help you prioritize when it comes to nourishing your body with them.
Let's take a closer look at each of the three macronutrients.
Fats - Fats serve a vital role in the human body. They're great for safeguarding and enhancing the neurological system, as well as ensuring normal hormone synthesis and nutrition absorption.
As a result, we require fat in our diet. In fact, most people get adequate fat from eggs, fattier fish, nut butter, olive oil, and other sources.
However, they aren't always the ideal choice for a pre-workout meal.
Now, this isn't to say that you should avoid all fats completely; in fact, some people do OK with fats before a workout...
Working to eat a lower-fat meal before a workout can help keep stomach discomfort to a minimal in most circumstances. Sure, an ounce of fat has more calories than an ounce of protein or carbs, but fats are longer to digest, and unless you're in ketosis or a fat-adapted athlete, your body will have a tougher time using it for fuel during your workout.
Protein is an important macronutrient to include in your entire nutrition plan as well as before a workout. Protein can benefit in a variety of ways before a workout.
Protein can help you stay full and satisfied during your workout. It's more difficult to stay training hard until the end if you're hungry halfway through.
Adequate protein from a complete protein source can also aid in the fueling of muscle tissue, the reduction of catabolism, and the stimulation of muscle protein synthesis. Simply put, this can assist avoid excessive muscle breakdown while also fueling the pump for recovery once you've completed your workout!
Carbohydrates - There are two types of carbohydrates. There are two types of carbohydrates: simple, high-glycemic carbs and complex, low-glycemic carbs. Simple carbohydrates are broken down and digested more quickly, but complex carbohydrates take longer.
Simple carbohydrates are ideal for providing brief spurts of energy over a short period of time. Complex carbohydrates will provide you with more energy for a longer period of time. So, depending on how close your pre-workout meal is to your workout, you can figure out what kind of carbs you should have.
If you're going to go out in 30 minutes, for example, a banana (a basic and high glycemic carb) will digest faster, settle better in your stomach, and fuel your workout better than a big dish of oatmeal.
WHICH SUPPLEMENTS SHOULD I EAT PRIOR TO A WORKOUT?
There are several pre-workout pills on the market that can help you meet your nutritional requirements before an exercise.
It might be difficult to receive all of the nourishment you require from food alone. If your stomach isn't up to the task of keeping up with your workouts, there are a variety of pre-workout supplements to choose from.
DON’T FORGET THE H20
The importance of water cannot be overstated. It's a great pre-workout drink. Take a sip with your meals.
Drink it when working out (but don't go crazy with it). It's also a good idea to consume it after your workout to aid recovery. It's impossible to overestimate the importance of staying hydrated.
It's recommended that you drink 16-20 ounces of water in the hour before an exercise and around the same amount afterward. Keep in mind, however, that your overall hydration level for the day, the length of your workout, and the amount of perspiration you produce will alter that guideline for you.
The primary element to remember is that water is an important aspect of your fitne health, and gym performance. So, at the very least, aiming for 16-20 ounces prior to your workout and the same amount afterward is a good place to start.
