To make the most out of all the hard work you put in the gym, your diet needs to match up too. Are you getting enough protein at the right time? How about the right supplements and pre and post-workout meals?What you put inside your body is just as important as your intense cardio sessions or weight training workouts. Getting your “dream physique” means you need to eat well to support your workout so that you see the best results.This doesn’t mean you need to cut off from all the food you love, just that your diet needs to be a more balanced one. So depending on your fitness goals and body type, here are some tips you can incorporate into your gym food plan.
Pre Workout
Are pre-workout foods important or can you skip them?Truth be told, you’re going to need an energy boost before you start your strenuous workout and not eating your meal beforehand will make you feel lethargic and tired sooner.Instead, you can eat an hour or two before your workout so you don’t feel queasy and keep it light. Opt for healthy carbs since they’ll be fueling your workout along with protein to build muscle.If you’re trying to gain weight, your pre-workout meal can also include some healthy fats to go with the protein food for gym workouts.
Post Workout
What you eat after an intense workout session, contributes to the overall repair of muscles in your body. So it’s no surprise that protein is the best food to eat after workouts.Brown rice, fish, egg whites and roasted vegetables all make for great post-workout gym meals.Whey protein works for both pre and post-workout meals and it’s something you can easily mix into your diet plan.
What is the best diet plan for weight loss?
Since everybody shape and type is different, the best thing to do is curate a gym food diet that works well for you. However, there are a few tips that work well keeping in mind your weight loss goals.If shedding a couple of extra pounds is what you’re aiming for then it’s best if you avoid carbs in your post-workout meals as well as two hours before you sleep.Healthy carbs like sweet potatoes are great for pre-workout meals. When it comes to dairy you can opt for skim milk and when it comes to processed sugar, your best bet is to cut it out completely. Opt for healthier alternatives like stevia instead.Proteins, grilled vegetables, low-fat greek yoghurt and fruits are a great food for fitness and healthy snacking.
Keep it Balanced
It’s easy to miss out on certain food groups while your efforts are spent trying to build the perfect gym diet plan for muscle gain or weight loss. But don’t forget to include your fruits, nuts and other veggies into your diet plan.Berries, oranges and other Vitamin C rich fruits have a number of health benefits and are great for your immunity too. And in case you’re wondering ‘what is the best fruit for fitness?’ the answer has to be banana. It’s a great source of potassium, magnesium and natural sugars too. Mix it up with peanut butter to get your dose of protein too.And that’s all that’s there to it. Experiment with your own diet plans and find what works best for your body. You can even ask your gym trainer to help you out with a diet plan for beginners and keep adding to it as you go.