1 Post(s)Gender: MaleGoal: BodybuildingDate Joined: February 2, 2016
Posted
I went to buy supplements the other day. When I was checking out I was making conversation with the cashier and she was trying to sell me protein bars by telling me that they were a good snack to have after a workout because if you dont eat anything within 45 minutes of working out your anabolic windows closes and it was basically like you didnt work out. I am pretty sure that what she said is not true but I didnt know enough to really say anything. I wanted to know if this "anabolic window' thing was true and if it is important to eat something within 45 minutes of working out.
7.1K Post(s)Gender: MaleGoal: BodybuildingDate Joined: August 8, 2008
Posted
There is an anabolic window. But it's not really as small as people think it is. I'm pretty sure there have been studies which actually suggest the window of opportunity for getting protein in after working out can be as long as 24 hours.
However.. all the being said, it's better to get some fuel in you as soon as possible after working out. About an hour is a good time limit. Will you start losing muscle if you don't get something within the hour? No. But it starts the recovery process a lot faster that way. That's why you see so many people taking their protein shakes with them to the gym, so that once they are finished, they can have their shake and worry about a proper meal a bit later.
So get something in relatively soon after working out if you can is my advice. But it's total calories and macros for the day that matter the most. Calories and macros before and after training are the next important.
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