Link to article: http://www.cedarwingsmagazine.com/152/393-feed-your-muscles
Summer is around the corner and it is that time when many of us hit the gym to be fit and build muscles. One detail though we sometimes neglect is the diet we follow when exercising. The way we eat before and after workout maximizes our performance and optimizes recovery respectively. Looking forward to staying energized, building lean muscles while burning calories and fat, follow the below recommendations.
Pre-workout
Whether we eatbefore exercising or not, we burn the same amount of calories. However, by starving ourselves we lose muscle instead of the desired fat burning. This is due to the fact that the body will be in survival mode and will break down proteins from muscles to sustain itself. As a result, the metabolism will slow down making it even harder to lose weight. Therefore, consuming a snack made of carbohydrates 10-30 minutes before exercising will fuel the body with energy and aid muscle building.
Healthy snack options include:
a portion of fruit such as banana, apple, kiwi, 3 apricots, 12 grapes or cherries, whole-grain crackers with hummus, or a handful of dried fruits and nuts.
Post-workout
Undoubtedly, while exercising, our body needs energy and it will dig into the reserves of fuel stored in our muscles, namely the glycogen, to get it. By the end of a workout, muscles are depleted of their glycogen. Thus, eating or drinking within 30 minutes after workout replenishes energy stores, builds and repairs muscles and helps our metabolism burning.
Studies showed that the body
