FUELING YOUR WORKOUT
3 Easy Tips for Fueling Your Workout without Overdoing It
Contributors: Christine Rosenbloom, PhD, RDN, CSSD
Published June 19, 2019
Published June 19, 2019
\\ Out for a morning walk with the dogs?
\\ Heading to the gym after work for a quick workout?
\\ If you are working out to maintain or promote weight loss?
\\ Here are some tips for fueling your workout without sabotaging the calorie-burning effort of exercise.
\\ Heading to the gym after work for a quick workout?
\\ If you are working out to maintain or promote weight loss?
\\ Here are some tips for fueling your workout without sabotaging the calorie-burning effort of exercise.
The Morning Workout
A low-intensity morning workout — such as a walk, bike ride, yoga or round of golf — requires very little fuel. Concentrate on hydration and a small carbohydrate-rich snack, such as 16 ounces of water and a mini-bagel or a 100-calorie granola bar. That will give you enough energy to compensate for an overnight fast without loading up on calories. After your workout, eat a smart breakfast of quality carbohydrates and protein. This can be a hard-cooked egg, a slice of whole-grain toast and 100% fruit juice, or oatmeal with berries and fat-free milk.
In the Evening
If you exercise after work, plan to eat lunch 3 to 4 hours before physical activity. Good choices include a grilled chicken salad, a grilled cheese sandwich with a cup of tomato soup, or a turkey sub with baked chips. A healthy lunch will provide enough calories to sustain a late afternoon workout, but give yourself a little energy boost 15 to 30 minutes before your workout by eating a banana, orange slices or a handful of grapes, along with a cup of water. When it comes to hydration, water is a good choice for exercise lasting less than an hour. Consider a sports drink if you are exercising for more than an hour at a higher intensity.
A low-intensity morning workout — such as a walk, bike ride, yoga or round of golf — requires very little fuel. Concentrate on hydration and a small carbohydrate-rich snack, such as 16 ounces of water and a mini-bagel or a 100-calorie granola bar. That will give you enough energy to compensate for an overnight fast without loading up on calories. After your workout, eat a smart breakfast of quality carbohydrates and protein. This can be a hard-cooked egg, a slice of whole-grain toast and 100% fruit juice, or oatmeal with berries and fat-free milk.
In the Evening
If you exercise after work, plan to eat lunch 3 to 4 hours before physical activity. Good choices include a grilled chicken salad, a grilled cheese sandwich with a cup of tomato soup, or a turkey sub with baked chips. A healthy lunch will provide enough calories to sustain a late afternoon workout, but give yourself a little energy boost 15 to 30 minutes before your workout by eating a banana, orange slices or a handful of grapes, along with a cup of water. When it comes to hydration, water is a good choice for exercise lasting less than an hour. Consider a sports drink if you are exercising for more than an hour at a higher intensity.
Refueling
After a workout, rehydrate with water. If you are heading home and eating dinner within a couple of hours, there is no need for a post-workout snack. If your meal will be delayed, then recover with 6 to 8 ounces of fat-free chocolate milk, 6 ounces of low-fat Greek yogurt or a stick of string cheese with a few whole-grain crackers. Try not to fall into the cycle of skipping breakfast, eating a light lunch and then exercising after work with little fuel on board. With this scenario, you may be more likely to overeat after your workout because you are so hungry from not eating enough during the day.
After a workout, rehydrate with water. If you are heading home and eating dinner within a couple of hours, there is no need for a post-workout snack. If your meal will be delayed, then recover with 6 to 8 ounces of fat-free chocolate milk, 6 ounces of low-fat Greek yogurt or a stick of string cheese with a few whole-grain crackers. Try not to fall into the cycle of skipping breakfast, eating a light lunch and then exercising after work with little fuel on board. With this scenario, you may be more likely to overeat after your workout because you are so hungry from not eating enough during the day.