Carbs vs proteins: Which is best pre-workout nutrient?

Before beginning an exercise, people must properly nourish their bodies in order to achieve their fitness goals. So which macronutrients should you focus on more, protein or carbohydrates?

Ensuring enough dietary intake prior to and following physical exertion might enhance output and expedite the recuperation phase. However, determining how much protein and carbohydrates to eat and when to take them for optimum performance might be difficult for each individual, according to Health.

Your body prefers to run on carbohydrates, which are similar to petrol to an automobile in terms of energy content. Basically, carbohydrates are sugar molecules that, when broken down, support bodily functions. They can be sugars, starches, or fibres.

“When we eat carbohydrates, they are broken down into glucose and stored in your muscle and liver as glycogen,” said Kristin Grimes, a personal trainer and registered dietician based in Denver.

The best time to consume a high-carb snack is just after working out, since this will help you avoid low blood sugar and refill your energy reserves. Adults should additionally eat 20 to 40 grammes of protein in the hours following a workout to aid in tissue repair and muscular growth. 

Additionally, it expedites the healing process, making you more prepared for subsequent workouts.

However, in general, it might be simpler to eat more frequent, smaller meals and snacks that are high in both protein and carbohydrates than it is to try to get enough macronutrients in one or two bigger meals.