Think milk after a workout

By Dietitian Cara Rosenbloom

Warm up and stay hydrated
Whew! You just finished a fast-paced run - and now your stomach is rumbling. The last thing you want to do is sabotage your hard work by loading up on the wrong foods. What you consume before, during and after you exercise can make or break a workout. If you're taking the time to stay in shape, then take the extra step of learning about which foods can help your efforts.

Warm up
Your body needs fuel from food to properly energize a workout. Before you hit the gym, have a small meal or snack that includes bread, pasta or fruit. These foods are rich in carbohydrates, which is the bodies' main source of usable energy. You'll also need fluid and a small amount of protein and fat. But watch out: eating too much fat or protein before exercise could result in an upset stomach, since these foods take a while to digest. Keep the serving size small and try:

• Half of a cheese sandwich
• Cereal with milk and berries
Apple oatmeal

A smoothie is also a smart choice. Quick to make and easy to digest, this delicious beverage is a great solution for busy people who workout early in the day and can’t eat breakfast first. Try Chewy Apple Berry Smoothie.

Fluid in motion
Stay hydrated by enjoying a few cups of water in the hour before you start your workout. While you're exercising, drink a half a cup to a cup of fluids for every 15 minutes of activity. If you've kept yourself well-hydrated during your activity, you can let your thirst guide your post-game hydration needs.

Page 1 of 2 - Find great tips for cooling down on page 2!

  • Page 1 : Warm up and stay hydrated
  • Page 2 : Cool down
  • Keywords : nutrition , diet

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