We all know it’s a good idea to grab a snack after you hit the gym—but what, exactly, happens to your body if you don’t? Finished your morning workout but don’t have time to grab a bite before heading out the door? That could be a problem.
It’s usually a good idea to eat and drink within an hour of exercising to maximize those recovery benefits and regain energy, says Victor Self, creative director and master instructor at Flywheel Sports. “While you may be short on time and find yourself occasionally skipping a post-workout snack, your overall caloric and nutrient intake must support the demands you’re placing on your body,” he explains.
Of course, waiting a little longer to eat after a workout won’t do much harm in the long run, but if you make a habit of doing it, it can potentially lead to compromised health and workout performance over time, says Susan Besser, M.D., a Primary Care Provider specializing in family medicine with Mercy Personal Physicians in Baltimore, MD.
“This doesn’t happen right away. It’s a cumulative problem, so just missing one meal won’t do it,” she says. But if you exercise in the morning in particular and then don’t eat for a few hours, your body doesn’t have energy stores to work with, which means you’ll have low energy until you get some fuel to power through the remainder of the day.
3 Reasons Why you should always eat after your workout:
1. LOW BLOOD SUGAR AND LIGHTHEADEDNESS.
2. MUSCLE LOSS AND CRAMPING.
3. DEHYDRATION.