Pre/Post Workout Snacks

I saw this blog and thought it was excellent information! Take a peek!

"Recently I decided to do some research on pre/post workout snacks. Prior to this, I would always workout on an empty stomach and just eat breakfast after. I have always grown up knowing that food was the enemy. Eat as little as possible. While I KNOW that food can be used to your advantage, it’s something I had a hard time wrapping my head around. However, I would come home in the mornings, shower, eat, and be completely dead for the rest of the day, it was ridiculous. I also wanted to get the most out of my workout. So after my little research, I decided to give it a try. Let me tell you, I’m amazed at the results. The first day I ate a bit of overnight oatmeal, did my workout, came back, had my post workout snack, and I was FULL of energy. Usually after my shower I feel exhausted. Not that day. I was ready to conquer the world. I really didn’t expect it to work so efficiently, but it really did! And I also feel like I’ve been able to push harder through my workouts, which will hopefully translate into results!! Wooo! I will never go back to non pre/post workout snacks!

The science completely backs this theory up. Our bodies are like machines; we need fuel to function. If we eat before a workout, we’re setting our bodies up for fuel to keep us going strong and help promote muscle growth (and muscle burns calories. yayy!!!). These snacks are exactly that. They’re supposed to be a light nutrient packed snack to fuel your body. A good pre-workout snack consists of about 75% carbs and 25% protein. Oh, come on, admit it! Some of you just freaked out after reading “carbs”. I know I did. I have been terrified of carbs every since my 6th grade Atkin’s kick. Good times. Carbs.. the right carbs.. actually give your body energy. Eating a complex carb will stick with you throughout your workout. This should be eaten at least 30 minutes before your workout so you don’t go and end up feeling weighed down. This part is key! I like to workout in the mornings, but on the one day I have to workout later in the day (which is usually right after lunch) I know I feel weighed down and slow. That’s one of the reasons I was a little nervous to try the pre workout snack. So, with that said, give yourself at 30 minutes for your pre workout snack really get get you going, not weigh you down! On the other end, what you eat after your workout is just important. It gives you the opportunity to replenish what your body has lost as well as help it build your newly torn muscle fibers, and keep your metabolism revved up and ready to go. This should consist of about 70% carbs and 30% protein. This snack should be eaten WITHIN 30 minutes of your workout. This is prime time for your body to take what you give it and maximize your results. These snacks are supposed to be LIGHT. Remember, it’s just a snack to give you a little added boost. This will keep you from feeling overly full during your workout. Make sure you eat your next MEAL, within 2 hours of your workout! You want to make sure that these snacks consist of nutrient dense foods, and not a bag of Doritos with a few strips of bacon. carbs and protein, right? I’m afraid not, my friend. But, the good news is that there are so many delicious options. The possibilities are endless!! My personal favorites are half of an Ezekial sprouted English muffin with 1/4 of a banana some natural peanut butter and a little honey (yum!!), Greek yogurt and fresh cut strawberries and a sprinkle of low-fat granola, or overnight oatmeal! All efficient. All 100% delicious! Another interesting thing I learned was that chocolate milk is actually an amazing post workout snack. It offers the perfect balance of carbs and proteins to help build muscle. I love chocolate milk but never drink it. Well, looks like that is going to have to change!! (; I try to keep these snacks to a caloric minimum, but that part is easy. Below I’ve put some handy dandy charts that I found on Pinterest (original author stated on the picture) that will help give you some amazing ideas to get you started, and all under 200 calories. I hope you give this a try!! Tell me what you think!"  http://rawllyyours.wordpress.com/2013/06/09/importance-of-prepost-workout-snacks/