Should you work out on an empty stomach, or are you better off eating first? In this episode of *Wellness Explained*, Sandy breaks down what the research actually says about fasted training, fat burning, muscle growth, and workout performance. She also explains what to eat before and after exercise, how much timing really matters, and why your workout goals should influence how you fuel. You’ll walk away with a much simpler way to think about workout nutrition, without obsessing over nutrient timing or believing that you need the “perfect” pre- or post-workout meal.
Should you eat before a workout? Is exercising fasted better for fat loss? And how quickly do you really need to get protein after you finish?
In this episode, Sandy takes a closer look at workout nutrition and separates what actually matters from some of the noise surrounding pre- and post-workout fueling.
In this episode:
• What actually happens when you exercise fasted
• Fasted training vs. fasted fat loss, and why they aren't necessarily the same thing
• When eating before exercise may improve performance
• How workout length and intensity change your fueling needs
• What to eat before a workout
• Why carbohydrates aren't something to fear around exercise
• Protein, muscle protein synthesis, and muscle growth
• What to eat after a workout
• Whether the post-workout “anabolic window” is really as narrow as we've been told
• Where foods like Greek yogurt and dairy can fit, and what to do if they don't agree with you
• Why your overall daily protein and nutrition matter more than perfectly timing one meal
• A simple takeaway you can start using with your next workout
The bottom line: You don't need to micromanage every bite around your workouts. Fueling should support the type of exercise you're doing, your goals, your performance, and how you actually feel.