Diet and exercise are the primary pillars of a healthy lifestyle plan. But can coordinating eating and workout schedules improve our fitness results?

And if so, how should our eating patterns differ before, during, and after activities? Melding a top-notch diet with stimulating exercise can be quite a challenge. Eating at different times, not targeting healthy weight loss foods , skipping meals, overeating, snacking in between, working out irregularly, suffering from injuries … life gets in the way of our "healthy lifestyle plans.

Eating regularly times throughout the day maintains proper blood sugar and energy levels, while regular exercise consistently burns consumed calories Alencar et al. Indeed, proper timing of nutrition and activity helps lay the foundation for optimizing physical results. Find more NASM nutrition courses here to futher your knowledge.

As we explore the benefits of coordinating workouts with food intake-both quality and quantity-your first question might focus on breakfast as in, should you skip it or some other fast-and-burn routine.

However, many experts caution against pre-exercise fasting. Running on empty may help burn fat faster, but it won't leave enough energy for more rigorous training. It also can increase the risk of strains, sprains, stress fractures and other injuries from exercise-related fatigue.

Furthermore, letting the body get too depleted may cause people to overeat afterward, undoing the benefits of exercising in the first place. This keeps the body fueled, providing steady energy and a satisfied stomach. Knowing the why, what and when to eat beforehand can make a significant difference in your training.

As Jackie Kaminsky notes in her blog 10 Nutrition Myths , nutrient timing can be effective overall, but it's not for everyone. A diet plan is crucial for maximizing daily workouts and recovery, especially in the lead-up to the big day.

And no meal is more important than the one just before a race, big game or other athletic event. Choosing the wrong foods-eating or drinking too much, consuming too little or not timing a meal efficiently-can dramatically affect outcomes.

Similarly, maintaining an appropriate daily sports-nutrition plan creates the perfect opportunity for better results. This supplies immediate energy needs and is crucial for morning workouts, as the liver is glycogen depleted from fueling the nervous system during sleep.

The muscles, on the other hand, should be glycogen-loaded from proper recovery nutrition the previous day. The body does not need a lot, but it needs something to prime the metabolism, provide a direct energy source, and allow for the planned intensity and duration of the given workout.

But what is that something? That choice can make or break a workout. The majority of nutrients in a pre workout meal should come from carbohydrates, as these macronutrients immediately fuel the body. Some protein should be consumed as well, but not a significant amount, as protein takes longer to digest and does not serve an immediate need for the beginning of an activity.

Research has demonstrated that the type of carbohydrate consumed does not directly affect performance across the board Campbell et al. Regular foods are ideal e. Exercisers might also supplement with a piece of fruit, glass of low-fat chocolate milk or another preferred carbohydrate, depending on needs.

Pre-exercise fluids are critical to prevent dehydration. Before that, the athlete should drink enough water and fluids so that urine color is pale yellow and dilute-indicators of adequate hydration.

Read more: What to Eat Before a Workout. Timing is a huge consideration for preworkout nutrition. Too early and the meal is gone by the time the exercise begins; too late and the stomach is uncomfortably sloshing food around during the activity.

Although body size, age, gender, metabolic rate, gastric motility and type of training are all meal-timing factors to consider, the ideal time for most people to eat is about hours before activity. If lead times are much shorter a pre-7 a. workout, for example , eating a smaller meal of less than calories about an hour before the workout can suffice.

For a pound athlete, that would equate to about 68 g or servings of carbohydrate, 1 hour before exercise. For reference, 1 serving of a carbohydrate food contains about 15 g of carbohydrate. There are about 15 g of carbohydrate in each of the following: 1 slice of whole-grain bread, 1 orange, ½ cup cooked oatmeal, 1 small sweet potato or 1 cup low-fat milk.

It is generally best that anything consumed less than 1 hour before an event or workout be blended or liquid-such as a sports drink or smoothie-to promote rapid stomach emptying. Bear in mind that we are all individuals and our bodies will perform differently. It may take some study to understand what works best for you.

Preworkout foods should not only be easily digestible, but also easily and conveniently consumed. A comprehensive preworkout nutrition plan should be evaluated based on the duration and intensity of exertion, the ability to supplement during the activity, personal energy needs, environmental conditions and the start time.

For instance, a person who has a higher weight and is running in a longer-distance race likely needs a larger meal and supplemental nutrition during the event to maintain desired intensity.

Determining how much is too much or too little can be frustrating, but self-experimentation is crucial for success. The athlete ought to sample different prework-out meals during various training intensities as trials for what works. Those training for a specific event should simulate race day as closely as possible time of day, conditions, etc.

when experimenting with several nutrition protocols to ensure optimal results. See how to count macros to keep your nutrient timing as effective as possible.

Supplemental nutrition may not be necessary during shorter or less-intense activity bouts. If so, carbohydrate consumption should begin shortly after the start of exercise. One popular sports-nutrition trend is to use multiple carb sources with different routes and rates of absorption to maximize the supply of energy to cells and lessen the risk of GI distress Burd et al.

Consuming ounces of such drinks every minutes during exercise has been shown to extend the exercise capacity of some athletes ACSM However, athletes should refine these approaches according to their individual sweat rates, tolerances and exertion levels.

Some athletes prefer gels or chews to replace carbohydrates during extended activities. These sports supplements are formulated with a specific composition of nutrients to rapidly supply carbohydrates and electrolytes.

Most provide about 25 g of carbohydrate per serving and should be consumed with water to speed digestion and prevent cramping. To improve fitness and endurance, we must anticipate the next episode of activity as soon as one exercise session ends.

That means focusing on recovery, one of the most important-and often overlooked-aspects of proper sports nutrition. An effective nutrition recovery plan supplies the right nutrients at the right time. Recovery is the body's process of adapting to the previous workload and strengthening itself for the next physical challenge.

Nutritional components of recovery include carbohydrates to replenish depleted fuel stores, protein to help repair damaged muscle and develop new muscle tissue, and fluids and electrolytes to rehydrate. A full, rapid recovery supplies more energy and hydration for the next workout or event, which improves performance and reduces the chance of injury.

Training generally depletes muscle glycogen. To maximize muscle glycogen replacement, athletes should consume a carbohydrate-rich snack within this minute window.

The recommendation for rapidly replenishing glycogen stores is to take in foods providing 1. For a pound athlete, that equates to between 68 and g of carbs or ~ 4. Since this can be difficult to consume in whole foods shortly after activity, liquid and bar supplements may be useful and convenient after exercise.

Consuming smaller amounts of carbohydrates more frequently may be prudent if the previous recommendation leaves the athlete feeling too full. Bananas are a great source of healthy carbs , if you didn't know! Muscle tissue repair and muscle building are important for recovery.

Whether you're focusing on endurance or strength training, taking in protein after a workout provides the amino acid building blocks needed to repair muscle fibers that get damaged and catabolized during exercise, and to promote the development of new muscle tissue.

Recent research has further demonstrated that a similar amount of protein approximately g after resistance exercise may even benefit athletes on calorie-restricted diets who also want to maintain lean body mass Areta et al.

It is important to note that some literature emphasizing extremely high levels of protein intake-well beyond these recommendations-for strength training may be dated and lack quality research Spendlove et al.

Virtually all weight lost during exercise is fluid, so weighing yourself without clothes before and after exercise can help gauge net fluid losses. It is important to restore hydration status before the next exercise period.

However, water may be all you need if exercising for less than 1 hour at a low intensity. While these recommendations are a good starting point, there are no absolute sports nutrition rules that satisfy everyone's needs…so paying attention to how you feel during exercise and how diet affects performance is of utmost importance.

Preparing for a post-workout meal doesn't have to be complicated. The most important part is planning your meals so that you have a strategy in place and know what you are going to eat and drink as soon as your workout is complete.

In general, your post-workout meal should include a mix of carbohydrates, lean proteins, and hydration. Here are some guidelines on what you should following a workout. But you will want to experiment with what works best for you. Note that the post-workout nutrition strategy will generally differ based on the type of exercise you perform.

For endurance training , hydration, carbohydrates, and electrolytes sodium, potassium, and magnesium are most important to focus on. For resistance training, you'll want to focus mostly on protein. Protein right after a workout can enhance glycogen resynthesis. According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the general consensus is that an exerciser should consume 20 grams of protein post workout.

For anyone interested in the more minutia detail of protein consumption, you could calculate this dose to make it more approximate to your weight. To do so, multiply between 0.

For example, if you weigh pounds, your protein intake can range from 20 to 24 grams post workout. From its position stand on nutrient timing, the International Society of Sports Nutrition says that consuming 0.

According to the University Health Services at the University of California Berkeley, you should drink 16 to 24 ounces of fluid for every pound of body weight lost after exercise. In 1 hour of exercise, your body can lose more than a quart of water. It is not plausible to recommend a standardized fluid replacement because everyone has different variables in their bodies and workouts, says the American College of Sports Medicine.

The most natural hydration fluid you can drink is water. However, if you have an intense workout session or exercise for more than 2 hours, you should drink a beverage containing electrolytes, preferably a mix of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride, offered in many of these top-rated post-workout recovery drinks.

This helps replace the minerals lost when you sweat. Here are some additional hydration tips. When to eat your post-exercise meal depends on your workout and your goals. Most likely, you will need to go through some trial and error to find what works best for your body.

That said, researchers do provide some general guidelines. For instance, if you perform intense weight resistance workouts to increase muscle size, you may want to consume 20 to 30 grams of lean protein and 30 to 40 grams of nutritious carbohydrates as close to your post-workout as possible.

For lighter cardio workouts, they suggest eating a well-balanced meal with the same ratio up to 1 hour after exercising. Keep in mind that some research suggests that the anabolic window diminishes without adequate carbohydrate and protein intake. The most critical factor, though, in your post-workout meal is not necessarily nutrient timing but just ensuring you are eating the right foods for your fitness goals.

Here are some additional guidelines to consider when planning your post-workout meals including how much of each macronutrient to consume.

At a minimum, you should replenish your glycogen stores with carbohydrates within 2 hours of exercise. The same journal also recommends consuming a protein mixed with your carbohydrate, in the form a supplement or whole foods within the 2-hour period. In the study, researchers discovered that a minute cycling session resulted in a much greater glycogen re-synthesis when carbohydrates were paired with protein consumption than when compared with ingesting a calorie-equated, carbohydrate-only solution within the 2-hour window.

Waiting 3 hours post-exercise did not increase glycogen synthesis. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, you should drink 23 ounces of fluid for every pound of weight lost when you exercised between the time you first workout and 1 to 2 hours before you start your next workout. Options include a sports drink, coconut water, or an electrolyte supplement available in a pill, powder, or capsule form.

Discovering which nutritious foods work best for your body post-workout is often done through experimenting. You can try different whole foods , packaged liquids, and whey proteins and see how your body responds. But you should strive to have a nutritional strategy in place for each exercise session so that your body can properly recover.

For any questions on nutrition techniques and timing, it may help to speak with a registered dietitian or another healthcare provider. After a workout, you should limit your intake of processed foods and opt for whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

Remember, you are refueling your body and it will be best served focusing on whole foods. Not eating after a workout can lead to decreased future workout performances, fatigue, low mood, and brain fog. While skipping a post workout meal after one workout, will not cause long-term damage, developing a pattern of skipping eating could impact your mood and energy levels as well as potentially keep you from reaching your fitness goals.

Just like foam rolling or wearing recovery shoes , eating after a workout is key to a sustainable fitness routine. Consuming the right foods helps your body recover faster, improves your performance in future workouts, replenishes glycogen storage, benefits muscle repair, and provides overall hydration of lost electrolytes.

Aragon AA, Schoenfeld BJ. Nutrient timing revisited: Is there a post-exercise anabolic window? J Int Soc Sports Nutr. Kerksick CM, Arent S, Schoenfeld BJ, et al.

International society of sports nutrition position stand: nutrient timing. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. Harvard Health. The importance of hydration.

The National Academy of Sports Medicine. The second scoop on protein: When, what and how much? van Vliet S, Beals JW, Martinez IG, Skinner SK, Burd NA. Achieving optimal post-exercise muscle protein remodeling in physically active adults through whole food consumption.

Kerksick, C. et al. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 15, 38 University of California Berkeley Health Services. Fit facts. ACSM's Health and Fitness Journal. Exercise and fluid replacement. Kalman DS, Feldman S, Krieger DR, Bloomer RJ.

Comparison of coconut water and a carbohydrate-electrolyte sport drink on measures of hydration and physical performance in exercise-trained men. Craven J, Desbrow B, Sabapathy S, Bellinger P, McCartney D, Irwin C. The effect of consuming carbohydrate with and without protein on the rate of muscle glycogen re-synthesis during short-term post-exercise recovery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sports Med - Open. Jäger, R. International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 14, 20 Arent SM, Cintineo HP, McFadden BA, Chandler AJ, Arent MA. Nutrient timing: a garage door of opportunity? van Loon LJC. Role of dietary protein in post-exercise muscle reconditioning.

Nestlé Nutrition Institute Workshop Series. Vol KARGER AG; National Academy of Sports Medicine. Low calorie diets: Dangers and considerations. American College of Sports Medicine. Preventing the "low-fuel light" in endurance exercise. American College of Sports Medicine Joint Position Statement.

Nutrition and Athletic Performance. By Jennifer Purdie, M. Ed, CPT Jennifer Purdie, M. Ed, is a certified personal trainer, freelance writer, and author of "Growth Mindset for Athletes, Coaches and Trainers. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising.

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A small amount of fat will help you feel satisfied with your meal and stay full for longer periods of time. There are good fats and bad fats, so it is important to make sure you are getting it from the right source. Bad fats are called saturated and trans fats, and when eaten in excess, they have been shown to increase blood cholesterol levels and LDL levels.

Saturated fats should be eaten sparingly. Examples of saturated fats are processed meats like salami and bacon, as well as dairy products like milk and cheese.

Trans fats should be avoided at all costs. Trans fats are in foods that contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. Some examples of these are fried foods, like doughnuts, French fries and most fast foods, vegetable shortenings, cookies, and processed snack foods.

Good fats are monounsaturated or polyunsaturated. They are shown to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Some examples of healthy fats are avocados, nuts, chia seeds, and fish.

When it comes to the foods you do not want to eat after workouts, it can get confusing. Most things that are packaged are usually processed and full of sugar, along with other preservatives. If you do eat something processed, be sure to check out the list of ingredients.

Spicy foods are also best to avoid after workouts. Foods that are prepared with hot spices like chili peppers or cayenne contain a potent ingredient known as capsaicin, which is an irritant to our bodies. Spicy food stimulates the digestive system and can cause heartburn and digestion issues , especially after your body has used up energy during a workout.

Stick to real, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and clean, antibiotic- and hormone-free meats. Just keep in mind that you may not need to add a separate source of fat to your post-workout meal or snack, since some protein-rich foods contain fat already.

Good post-workout fat sources include:. Nuts and nut butters. Extra virgin olive oil. For an added bonus after particularly strenuous workouts, you can also consider incorporating specific anti-inflammatory foods, such as tart cherries , wild blueberries , and turmeric , suggests registered dietitian Jessica Cording, MS, RD, CDN.

For example, muscle cells have increased sensitivity to insulin for a period of time after you work out. This allows your muscles to more rapidly absorb glucose when you consume carbohydrates, supporting more rapid glycogen resynthesis. Muscles can also take up amino acids more efficiently during this post-exercise window, and consuming protein shortly after a workout has been shown to enhance muscle protein synthesis aka strengthen and build your muscles.

Having a balanced meal or snack within a few hours, or whenever you get hungry, is perfectly fine. Ready to fuel up, but not sure what to eat after a workout? The following snacks contain a combination of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats to support workout recovery and overall health.

Banana with nut butter. Sliced apple with an ounce of cheese. Piece of fruit with one or two hard boiled eggs.

Dried fruit and a small handful of nuts. Carrot slices, whole wheat pita, and hummus. DIY trail mix with dried edamame, nuts, raisins, and dark chocolate. Smoothie made with 1 cup milk or plant-based milk, 1 cup fruit, and a scoop of protein powder optional: add a handful of mild greens, like baby spinach.

Oatmeal with ground flaxseed, milk, fruit, and chopped nuts or nut butter. Plain Greek yogurt or cottage cheese with berries, granola, and almond slivers. A veggie omelet cooked with olive oil and a slice of whole-wheat toast.

Small whole-wheat wrap with eggs, cheese, and arugula. Brown rice or quinoa with roasted veggies and a serving of meat, fish, or egg, plus avocado or tahini for a source of healthy fat. Tuna or chicken salad with mayo or olive oil , whole grain crackers, and veggie slices.

English muffin pizza made with a whole-wheat English muffin, marinara or barbeque sauce, grilled chicken slices, and a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese. Whole-wheat pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, grilled chicken, and a vinaigrette dressing.

Smoothie made with 1 cup milk or plant-based milk, ½ banana, ½ cup berries, 1 cup greens, 1 tablespoon nut butter, and 1 scoop protein powder.

Try to stick to a balanced, healthy eating pattern after workouts. Avoid loading up on low-quality sources of carbs and protein think: things made with loads of added sugars or refined carbs, like baked goods, or sketchy protein shakes with a laundry list of funky additives.

Ingredients like frozen yogurt, plant-based milk, and mix-ins like granola can come with added sugars that leave you at risk for energy crashes, mood swings, and poor appetite control later in the day, Cording says. A good rule of thumb is aiming to cap the fruit content of your smoothies at around one cup.

For strenuous workouts, consider weighing yourself before and after to assess fluid loss via sweat, McDaniel suggests, and for every pound lost, aim to drink ounces of fluids. Post-workout nutrition is particularly important after long-lasting or strenuous sweat sessions. Refueling with a snack or meal that contains a balance of carbs and protein, plus healthy fats, during the first minutes after a workout can help replenish muscle glycogen stores and repair muscle tissue, which supports muscle gains and positively impacts performance during future workouts.

Antioxidant-rich foods like berries might also help curb some of that post-workout soreness that can sap your motivation. This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute individualized advice.

It is not intended to replace professional medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek the advice of your physician for questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. If you are having a medical emergency, call your physician or immediately.

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You're in the green as long as you replenish yourself within a few hours of your workout. If you've eaten a nutritious meal within a couple hours before your workout, you don't need to worry about adding a post-workout meal too.

As long as you're getting the right nutrients throughout the day, your body can use them to restore energy and build muscle. If you do want to get the most out of a post-workout meal, plan your plate carefully.

Krutika Nanavati , a performance nutrition specialist and sports dietitian, suggests adding lean protein, complex carbs and healthy fats to maximize your meal's benefits.

Aim for foods that are easy to digest because this will help your body absorb the nutrients from your food more easily.

Instead, opt for complex carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These will give you sustained energy without the sugar crash. Greek yogurt, fruit and granola are a good way to get protein, carbs and fat in a post-workout meal. Best says a good rule of thumb to follow is to consume 20 to 40 grams of protein post-workout, from lean sources like poultry, tuna, egg whites, protein powders and tofu.

Then eat 0. Options for your complex carb base can include quinoa, oats, bananas or whole grain pasta or rice. Because everyone's needs vary based on the activity they're doing and how fueled they are throughout the day, these figures can fluctuate.

Kelsey Lorencz, a registered dietitian and nutrition advisor at Zenmaster Wellness , recommends choosing a snack or meal that has 30 to 60 grams of carbohydrates and 10 to 20 grams of protein after a hard workout.

If you're on-the-go, Lorencz suggests opting for smoothies with protein powder or a pre-mixed protein shake. Other options include eating fruits like an apple, banana or grapes along with mixed nuts or nut butter for a quick fix.

When putting together a post-workout meal, it's important to consider the type of workout you did, as well as how intense it was. More on fluids below. Another thing to keep in mind is that how much you eat will vary based on the intensity of your workout.

Because recommendations vary so much from person to person and workout to workout, it's a good idea to consult with a trainer or nutritionist if you need more specific guidance.

However, eating a balanced ratio of protein, complex carbs and fats throughout the day is a safe bet for most people. Making sure you're hydrating before and after a workout is important to keep your body functioning optimally.