subject: Post-exercise Hunger: What To Do About It [print this page] One will naturally feel hungry right after a rigorous exercise regimen. And when one feels hungry, the normal tendency would be for him to grab a bite. Having lost a good amount of energy after one exercises, he will have the tendency to eat like it's his last meal. Unfortunately, this binge eating is the reason for one to gain more weight instead of losing weight despite having regular exercise. This does not mean however that one must restrain oneself from eating after exercising. All one needs is to follow a healthy eating discipline that suits his needs and his exercising routine.
1. Eat before doing some exercise. Eating at least 30 minutes or anywhere within an hour prior to your actual conduct of exercise is highly recommended by health experts as a way to prevent binge eating after a workout. There is naturally an inner craving to replenish lost energy after a strenuous exercise, but there are also ways to feed your hunger without ruining your diet. If you would eat a light meal before an exercise, your hunger and craving after would be minimized. And if you would keep it regular, your body will adjust and will not crave so much for food after you do some workout.
2. Fix your after-exercise meal yourself. As has been mentioned, one will normally feel hungry after working out at the gym or after having that daily jog or after that afternoon brisk walk. But instead of heading straight to the nearest McDonald's or doughnut store, it would be wise to prepare your tuna sandwich yourself. You may also bring along a healthy fruit pack that you can feast on after your exercise. This way you will be sure that you have gotten yourself nothing but a healthy snack pack with ingredients that will be helpful for your body. Preparing your after-exercise meal yourself will also assure you that you are not getting any hidden fats that are always present in those fast-food treats.
3. Have protein-rich meals. To ensure that you will keep your health while doing your regular exercise, eat foods that are high in protein. Aside from the fact that protein is good for your muscles, it would also make you feel solidly full even if you have eaten less. Protein reduces hunger. You can consult a dietician or a nutritionist to advice you of the right amount of protein that you should take while at the same time considering your age, weight, and other important factors.
4. Know what you are eating. Now, we don't necessarily mean that you have to deprive yourself of food when you're exercising. The secret to achieving good health is moderation. Know what you are putting inside your mouth and the nutrients, calories, and everything else that comes with it. Also, make sure to keep yourself well hydrated. You eat more than you should when you are thirsty or do not have enough liquid in your system.
