Eating after a workout

Factual Questions
1

Maybe you can settle an argument that my wife and I are having. She says that after working out, a person who is trying to lose weight should wait about two hours before eating so the body can burn through the stores of fat and not the food in your stomach.

My belief is that this is not necessary and that after a workout is the best time to eat something since your metabolism is running higher than it normally would.

What say you Dopers?

Thanks in advance to all who reply.

2

Eat…

…if you are scheduled to do so.

Eat 4-6 meals to total your goal caloric intake, because there is sufficient evidence to suggest that eating 4-6 meals on a regular schedule keeps the metabolism higher then 2-3 big meals per day.

So, it depends on when you work out. But, since most workouts take a bit of time, and since you are trying to eat 4-6 meals per day, you are probably due for a meal/snack.
Food just eaten won’t magically jump into your fat cells, as it has to be broken down and stored. And, if not simple sugars, you have plenty of time for all that to happen.

3

definately eat. there is significant catabolism going on after a cardio workout, your body needs food. it will not hamper fat loss unless you eat high fat or sugar obviously.

if you are refering to lifting as your workout, then you definately better eat and make the food simple sugars and protein shake in a 3:1 or 4:1 (grams) ratio.

eating is your friend when losing fat. eating does not make you fat, it’s bad food that makes you fat. when in doubt, eat.

4

Definatly eat- and eat something with Carbs. Oatmeal, a sweet potatoe, pasta etc. If you don’t eat carbs the rest of the day (low carb diets for example) eat Carbs after a workout regardless. Most of the glucose is used to replentish your glycogen in the muscles. (long chains of glucose) Drink lots of water too, your muscles will thank you.
Eating some fruit or drinking some fruit juice helps restore them as well as restoring the glycogen in the liver that was no doubt used up in your workout.

Eating a post workout meal with protien and carbs is important. For weight loss expecially. (after all, the more muscle you have, the higher your “metabolism”)

5

Bad food doesn’t make you fat. Eating too much makes you fat.

Carry on.

6

Thanks everybody, you’ve confirmed what I’ve suspected. I usually have a snack after I workout in the morning since I usually feel ravenous by that point.

Thanks everybody.