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Diet and your workout are inseparable.
Before starting your workout plan, you must know that your workout result is inseparable from your eating. A perfect diet can make your workout more valuable, whether engaged in a competition or casual exercise in your home gym.
Food is fuel to your training. To keep your body engine at its best, you need to have the right food and fluids at the right times.
4 Elements of Workout Diet
- Protein.It can provide enough protein for your body to recover from overload and muscle growth after training. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.36 grams per pound (0.8 grams per kg) of body weight. In fact, research indicates that persons who strength train regularly may require double the RDA, or 0.72 grams per pound (1.6 grams per kg), to maintain muscle repair and development. As for additional protein, we usually choose protein shakes, the most cost-effective choice based on affordability and protein content. But protein shakes cannot be used as a regular meal, but only as an extra supplement after training. It would help if you also were careful not to consume too much so as not to burden your kidney function.
- Carbohydrates. It is the body’s number one resupply resource. Consuming carbohydrates before exercise stimulates your brain and has enough glycogen to accommodate your consumption during intense training. Of course, whether it is before or after training, the most important thing to replenish is often not protein but an easily absorbed source of carbohydrates.
- Fluids. This fluid, our usual first choice, is definitely water. But we can lose a lot of inorganic salts during exercise and develop some fatigue. So during the workout, we usually choose sports drinks rich in minerals and inorganic salts. These fluids work better than regular water to speed up recovery and reduce fatigue during exercise.
- Fruits and Vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are high in natural fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other components your body requires for optimum functioning. They are also low in fat and calories.
The USDA recommends that you fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables for every meal. Try “eating the rainbow” by selecting fruits and vegetables of various hues. This will allow you to appreciate the diversity of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants available in the vegetable section.
Consider purchasing a fresh fruit or vegetable every time you go shopping. Keep dried fruit and raw veggies in your exercise bag as snacks.
Fuel up before exercises
We have mentioned the carbohydrates above, and now we list some easily absorbed carbohydrates that can fuel up before your start.
Bananas
Bananas are rich in minerals, such as potassium and magnesium, which are required by the human body, and the carbohydrate content of bananas is also considerable. Compared with rice, pasta and other ingredients that can easily produce a sense of satiety, bananas can be used as a carbohydrate supplementation before training.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a very common snack among fitness enthusiasts. Unlike the fats we consume in food, peanut butter is a relatively pure and healthy source of fat through light processing and no other compounds produced by cooking at high temperatures.
Fruits
These fruits are all high in vitamins, minerals, and water. They’re gentle on your stomach, provide a rapid energy boost, and help keep you hydrated. To get your protein, combine them with a serving of yoghurt.
Keep Your Diet Balanced
Smaller and more frequent meals throughout the day increased protein intake. Reduced excessive sugar-containing seasonings, such recipes may not be generally acceptable. Still, fitness enthusiasts do not have to pursue an extremely low-fat rate, maintain a balanced nutrition, and maintain an excellent body and enough strength.
Major Lutie Home Gym Smith Machine
Your Guide is Your Experience
Remember that the time and intensity of your exercise will dictate how frequently and what you should eat and drink. Jogging a marathon, for example, takes more energy from meals than running or walking a few kilometers. Also, avoid introducing new foods into your diet before indulging in strenuous physical activity. It’s best to have prior experience and evaluate how your body reacts to certain meals.
Major Lutie knows everyone is different when it comes to food and exercise. Pay attention to how you feel throughout the exercise and how you perform overall. Allow your expertise to help you determine which pre- and post-exercise eating habits are ideal. Consider maintaining a journal to track how your body reacts to meals and snacks so you can fine-tune your diet to attain the best results.