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Should you eat before or after workout to lose weight?

This question is about GLP-1 & Weight Loss

Sarah Achleithner

You can eat before ‌or‌ after a workout to lose weight; however, both pre-and post-workout meals play a role in weight loss and maintenance.

Pre-workout meals provide fuel to power through your workout, whereas post-workout meals help you recover, build (and maintain) muscle, and lose weight.

If you choose to eat before a workout, try eating a combination of healthy carbs and protein (i.e. Elo Smart Protein mixed with fruit and water) 3-4 hours before exercise. This will help fuel your muscles so they can perform their best and keep you feeling strong. 

toan and Elo health

Interestingly, some studies suggest that eating after a workout can help you lose weight since fasted workouts increase the utilization of fat as a fuel source, improve skeletal muscle function, enhance metabolism, and reduce appetite [

1

,

2

]. However, some people can feel queasy working out on an empty stomach, so listen to your body and do what feels right for you.

Male runner taking an energy gel

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References:

  1. Wallis, G. A., & Gonzalez, J. T. (2019). Is exercise best served on an empty stomach?. The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 78(1), 110–117.

    https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665118002574

     

  2. Bachman, J. L., Deitrick, R. W., & Hillman, A. R. (2016). Exercising in the Fasted State Reduced 24-Hour Energy Intake in Active Male Adults. Journal of nutrition and metabolism, 2016, 1984198.

    https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/1984198

     

Interestingly, some studies suggest that eating after a workout can help you lose weight since fasted workouts increase the utilization of fat as a fuel source, improve skeletal muscle function, enhance metabolism, and reduce appetite [

1

,

2

]. However, some people can feel queasy working out on an empty stomach, so listen to your body and do what feels right for you.

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