Pre- and post-workouts are the most important times to eat and supplement for maximum gains.
Here, we focus on the basics — protein and carbs, the two most critical nutrients of your pre- and postworkout meals — and break them down into three categories: gold (best), silver (second best) and bronze (you get the point).
PREWORKOUT
GOLD: Supplement Combo
WHEY PROTEIN – Fastest-digesting protein available
WHEN: Within 30 minutes before workouts WHY: To boost energy during your workout, decrease muscle breakdown, and enhance recovery and muscle growth postworkout. HOW MUCH: 20 grams
WAXY MAIZE — A slow-digesting, complex carbohydrate product
WHEN: Within 30 minutes before workouts (mix with whey protein) WHY: Provides long-lasting energy that won’t inhibit fat burning during the workout. HOW MUCH: 20-40 g
SILVER: Supp/Food Combo
WHEY PROTEIN
—See above
APPLE — A slowdigesting carb
WHEN: Within 30 minutes before workouts WHY: Slow-digesting fruits provide long-lasting energy for the workout and won’t inhibit fat burning. Polyphenols in apples can enhance fat burning and muscle strength. HOW MUCH: 1 large (110 calories, 0 g protein, 30 g carbs, 0 g fat)
BRONZE: All Food
CHUNK LIGHT TUNA — A low-fat, faster-digesting, whole-food protein
WHEN: About 60 minutes before workouts WHY: Whole food takes longer to digest than whey, so you’ll need to give yourself a solid hour before training to get some of that protein digesting. HOW MUCH: 5-oz can mixed with 1 tbsp fat-free mayo (136 calories, 28 g protein, 2 g carbs, 1 g fat)
ORANGE — A slowdigesting carb
WHEN: 30-60 minutes before workouts WHY: Long-lasting energy for workouts that won’t inhibit fat burning. Vitamin C in oranges can boost nitric oxide levels. HOW MUCH: 1 large (86 calories, 2 g protein, 22 g carbs, 0 g fat)
POSTWORKOUT
GOLD: Supplement Combo
WHEY PROTEIN — Fastest-digesting protein available
WHEN: Within 30 minutes after workouts WHY: Critical for boosting muscle growth. HOW MUCH: 20 g
CASEIN PROTEIN — A slowdigesting protein
WHEN:Within 30 minutes after workouts WHY: Taking casein with whey protein after workouts boosts muscle growth better than whey alone. HOW MUCH: 20 g
VITARGO — A complex carbohydrate that is actually very fast digesting
WHEN: Within 30 minutes after workouts (mix with protein powders) WHY: Digests faster than sugar and boosts insulin higher for better recovery and muscle growth after workouts. HOW MUCH: About 35-70 g
SILVER: Supp/Food Combo
WHEY PROTEIN — See above
HOW MUCH: 40 g
GUMMI BEARS — A fastdigesting candy
WHEN: Within 30 minutes after workouts WHY: These candies are mostly sugar — they digest rapidly to boost insulin levels and enhance muscle recovery and growth. HOW MUCH: 20-40 Gummi Bears (135-270 calories, 3-6 g protein, 30-60 g carbs, 0 g fat)
BRONZE: All Food
CHOCOLATE MILK — Milk with chocolate syrup and sugar added to it
WHEN: Within 30 minutes after workouts WHY: Boosts protein synthesis after workouts almost as well as whey protein. Stick with whole milk — full-fat milk is better at boosting muscle growth than skim or low fat. HOW MUCH: 3 cups (624 calories, 24 g protein, 78 g carbs, 24 g fat)
