The energy you get from working out comes from glycogen, a
substance that is stored in the body. If you work out for
an hour or less, anything you eat right before a workout
really doesn’t have enough time to get into the form of
glycogen.
The most important time to eat is after a
workout, when the muscles are depleted of fuel and
hungriest for nourishment and replenishment.
After a workout you need carbohydrates for glycogen
replacement and some protein for muscle growth and repair.
If you’re really hungry before working out, has a piece of
fruit, a glass of juice, or even a baked potato.
And if you’re one of the millions of people who work out during
your lunch hour, you’ll probably be better off working out
first and “brown-bagging” it afterwards.
