Don’t write off all so-called junk foods just yet.
“Pre-, during, and post-exercise nutrition is a key component of performance and recovery.”
It’s all about timing.
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You should eat carbohydrates within a half hour after exercise, Silverman explains.
That window is when your body will absorb glucose and restore lost glycogen.
If you wait two hours, the rate of restoring glycogen is reduced by 50 percent, he says.
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Bacon
Eat three slices of bacon, and you’ll score nearly 10 grams of protein.
“Protein helps with building the muscles up,” says Silverman.
Better yet, choose uncured turkey baconyou’ll tap into the protein benefits without the preservatives.
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Bagels
“People are afraid of carbohydrates,” he says.
“But carbs before a workout are the quick gas.”
Post-workout, they’re just as good and help you rebuild what was lost.
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Butter
Top that bagel with butterideally a grass-fed option, says Jessica Dogert, R.D.
and nutritionist at Chicago’sHi-Vibe Superfood Juicery.
Eaten before a workout, it’ll boost your energy levels and help you burn fat.
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Afterward, it fights inflammation.
“Our societystillfears fat,” says Dogert.
“But fat is the ultimate brain food.”
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Butter can help you get your head in the game and ready to focus on your long run ahead.
Ice Cream
Yes, you read that right.
“One of the best times to indulge would be after a workout,” says Ferguson.
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There was no difference between the glycogen recovery or the athletes' next performances.
(These9 chain restaurants are offering new healthy fast food options.)
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