Question about Pre/Post-workout Snacks

[cloudcovering]

I've always heard you are supposed to do this (snack before/after your workout) but I don't really know the guidelines. Care to explain? Here are my questions:

Am I supposed to have both a pre and post workout snack, or which is more important?
How long of a workout does it have to be to "merit" a snack? What type of a workout (same question)?
How long before/after the workout should I have a snack?
If I'm not really hungry before/after the workout should I eat something anyway?
What types of things should I be sure to include in my snack (this is already sort of covered in the "favorite post-workout snack" thread)?
&etc.

Thank you everyone!

[Quinoa]

How long of a workout does it have to be to "merit" a snack? What type of a workout (same question)?
"merit" a snack? ;)This sounds more like you are looking for the perfect workout to fit your snacking habits, than vice versa.
Maybe you could specify on your typical workout (duration/exercise/daytime) and food log, and I'm sure there'll be people here to recommend some appropriate snacks and snacktimes.

[cloudcovering]

"merit" a snack? ;)This sounds more like you are looking for the perfect workout to fit your snacking habits, than vice versa.
Maybe you could specify on your typical workout (duration/exercise/daytime) and food log, and I'm sure there'll be people here to recommend some appropriate snacks and snacktimes.

No, actually, I never snack. I'm completely clueless about it. That's why I'm asking! I eat my three meals and if I get hungry I just.... deal. I don't actually get that hungry during the day, though. Anyway, I realize that this probably is not the best mindset, & I want to incorporate more healthy snacks into my diet.

For instance, I just jogged for about a mile. This isn't a super strenuous excercise in my opinion and I don't feel any hunger pains or anything, so am I good? Or do I need some protein for my muscles or something?

[Aussyj]

Personally, I am most likely the wimpiest and laziest vegan alive. However, I still eat a snack between lunch and dinner, simply out of habbit I guess.

Anyway, I hear that tofu/soy smoothies are good protein snacks for muscle gain when working out. Can't vouch for that personally. As I said, I am lazy. :D

[Fromper]

I've just started exercising on a regular basis, and I was kind of wondering about this lately, too. I googled it, and here's an article I found that could be useful:

http://www.efitness.com/news/article.cfm?article_id=6523

It seems the point is to take in something that will give you energy to help fuel the workout about an hour before hand, then restore what you depleted afterwards. If you're doing strength training, protein is especially important after working out. That part I'd heard before. Something about your body using the protein to help build more muscle mass.

I usually exercise either first thing in the morning, before breakfast, or else after I get off work, before having dinner. So eating a meal right afterwards would seem to qualify as a good post-workout snack. I'll have to think about a pre-workout snack, but I don't know if I really need it.

--Fromper
:juggle: