Trying to lose weight? You know how to go about it. Follow a diet with more proteins, fewer carbs and fats, and high fiber content, and don’t forget to add a medium-intensity workout. But the tricky question is, “when to eat before or after a workout session?” When following an exercise routine, most people ask this question whether they should eat before or after the workout. There is no definite answer to this question. However, there are two different camps. Let’s take a look at each of the approaches and find out whether you should eat before or after a workout.
Eat After A Workout Session
Research suggests that going for exercise on an empty stomach gives some great results when it comes to weight loss. It helps burn fats faster and has a positive effect on your metabolism. So if you can manage to go for a medium-intensity workout without fainting, then going before breakfast is the best option. And if you feel you won’t have enough energy, don’t worry. Our bodies have enough energy stored that they can sustain an hour of moderate-intensity workout even after we wake up fast.
However, there is another school of thought which says you can eat before exercise. Let’s take a look at their approach.
Eat Before A Workout Session
If you are trying to lose weight, it might come to you as a surprise but eating a meal high in carbohydrates before a workout session can help you shed those extra pounds. However, you have to go for complex carbs such as beans, lentils, and whole grains instead of refined carbs such as white bread, cookies, and soft drinks. One important thing to remember is that you need to avoid fats and add proteins if you eat before a workout session. Fats slow down the digestion process. On the other hand, proteins break down into amino acids, which facilitate cell reconstruction as body cells tend to break out during a workout session.
The Final Answer
So the answer to the question of when to eat, before or after a workout, is both. You can go for a workout session right after you wake up fast because there is enough stored energy to fuel an hour of medium-intensity workout. But if you feel you do not have enough energy and you might faint, then it is a good idea to eat before you go for a workout session. However, you have to keep a check on what you eat. If you are going for a workout session after eating, make sure your meal is rich in protein and complex carbs and is low in fats.
At the end of the day, every person is different, and so are their bodies. So try and experiment and find out the answer to this tricky question!
