Workout/food/hunger question

Desmond&MollyJones*

I started working out again this week, and after each workout I have been starving.

This is how my night looks:

5:45 ish I have a small snack, usually while cooking dinner...ha.

6:30-7:30 (varies) we eat dinner.

8:30-9:30 (varies) is when I workout.

When I get done with my workout, I'm starving. 

Monday night I had a banana, yesterday I ate nothing.

Anyone know why I'm hungry or any ideas on what to eat before my workout that will keep me full all night?  I hate eating right before bed.

 

GRKaters

Carbs before, protein after is a generalization I try to follow.

Have some yogurt with your banana, or cottage cheese if you like that. You could even blend it with some milk, peanut butter, spinach, and ice if you want to squeeze an extra serving of veggies into the day. 

Also remember to hydrate before, during, and after your workout. A lot of times when I think I'm starrrrving, I just need a big glass of water first; then it's not so intense and I can focus on what I should be eating rather than cramming the first available *whatever* into my mouth.

GRKaters

Re-reading this, it sounds like you don't *want* to eat after your workout. Depending on the workout, I'd say that's not very wise. At the very minimum, I'd have a glass of chocolate milk (without HFCS). Eating too much pre-workout usually ends up very badly for me.

Diana Prince

If you are weight-lifting, I'd have some easily digestible protein after (like a protein shake, cottage cheese or even a glass of milk).

A good pre-workout dinner would include a palm sized portion of protein, a fist sized portion of whole grain carbs (brown rice, ww pasta, sweet potato, etc.) and as much veggies as you want.

If you're doing cardio, are eating enough calories throughout the day, and will be going to bed less than two hours after the workout, I'd probably try having a glass of tea.

I also agree with Kate that you may be more thirsty than hungry.  

MrsJuliD

Congrats on starting to work out again!

You may find you have to play with your food habits a bit in the first week.  I agree with both GRKaters and DP's suggestions.  I was going to suggest chocolate millk (good mix of carb/protein) for after if you are hungry, but also agree you should make sure you are staying hydrated.

Also, as suggested, make sure you are eating enough during the day to account for your workouts.  A lot of times people will undereat which does not benefit your body (your mettabolism will go down and your weight loss will suffer) so make sure you are eating at least 1200 calories during the day, probably more if you are working out.

Desmond&MollyJones*

Kate, you are correct that I do not want to eat after my workout.  I don't really like eating so late.

I haven't had water before/during my workouts, so I will start doing that.  I usually just hydrate with water after. 

Thanks!

Chymes

You guys are so knowledgeable. I'm in awe. Thanks for sharing that with us less-than-educated couch potatoes.

MissyNa

Just to add to the great advice you already got - You may find that you're super hungry the next day after a workout too. That's because your body is busy repairing (aka building) muscle. It usually happens to me after I've lifted really heavy (like I did last night). That would be a good day to eat a bit of extra protein to help with the repair process. )