# When's the best time to eat a big protien filled meal, before or after a workout?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whens-the-best-time-to-eat-a-big-protien-filled-meal-before-or-after-a-workout/320226>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 5, 2005, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whens-the-best-time-to-eat-a-big-protien-filled-meal-before-or-after-a-workout/320226 "2005-09-05T18:59:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Shibumi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Shibumi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shibumi)\
**Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whens-the-best-time-to-eat-a-big-protien-filled-meal-before-or-after-a-workout/320226/1 "2005-09-05T18:59:27Z")

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just wondering, thank you

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**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\
**Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whens-the-best-time-to-eat-a-big-protien-filled-meal-before-or-after-a-workout/320226/2 "2005-09-06T13:48:50Z")

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From what I’ve read (no cites, so take this as you will), if you’re looking to build muscle mass, then a small meal (protein and simple carbs) immediately after the workout is most effective.