Why Is Time Gap Important Between Meals And Workout?

When you exercise, you burn fat and calories, which keeps you fit. But what else needs to be remembered, is the post-workout meals. It is necessary to beat lethargy and energy drain after a tiresome workout routine. ETV Bharat Sukhibhava team spoke to the expert nutritionist Nidhi Shukla Pandey from Lilavati Hospital and Cumballa Hill Heart Institute, to know more about it.

Did you know, exercising immediately after consuming meals can negatively affect your body? Which is why, maintaining a proper time gap between meals and workout sessions is very important. Nutritionist Nidhi Shukla Pandey explained to us its importance and what you can consume post workout sessions. Have a look!

You must have often noticed that people usually start gaining weight during the winter season. And one of the main reasons that contributes to this weight gain is eating more and working out less. Since our digestive powers are strengthened in this season, we tend to eat more and heavy foods. But not exercising after a diet rich in fats and proteins can affect your body and lead to weight gain.

Maintain A Gap Between Meals And Workout Sessions

For proper digestion of food and functioning of the body, it is important to maintain a gap between every meal. “Time gap between meals enables the body to secrete enough digestive juice for better digestion of the next meal that we are going to take. It also ensures that the previously taken food leaves the stomach and there is space for the new food to come” says our expert.

Apart from this, not just between each meal, a proper gap must be maintained between your meals and workout sessions too. Our nutritionist Nidhi Shukla explains that one must never workout after having a heavy meal. “It is dangerous as it diverts the blood flow from stomach to the entire body and leads to indigestion, muscle cramps and abdominal cramps”. Therefore, she suggests maintaining a minimum of 3 hours and if possible 4-5 hours gap after having your meal and before starting your exercise.

Not just before, but post workout too you need to give some time before consuming anything. Nidhi Shukla says that ideally you should give a gap of at least 10-15 minutes after your workout sessions and try not to eat anything immediately as soon as the workout gets over. However, if you are doing a high-intensity workout, sipping on water or electrolytes is recommended but drinking water immediately after workout can disbalance the body metabolism, which is why a break of 10-15 minutes is suggested.

Eating/Drinking Post Workout

Consumption of hot or lukewarm food items or beverages, especially during winters is recommended. Nutritionist Nidhi Shukla recommends consumption of Turmeric milk or Golden Milk (including turmeric/haldi, black pepper, ginger and jaggery boiled in milk). You can also consume Whey water (yellowish coloured liquid left out when the milk is boiled and curdled using lemon).

Apart from this, lemon water or commonly known as nimbu paani, including lemon juice, rock salt, black salt, honey and a pinch of black pepper and roasted cumin is one of the best things to consume. It instantly gives a vitamin C boost, hydrates the body and provides us with essential minerals.

Therefore, maintaining a proper time gap between having your meals and before as well as after exercising is very important. It will help your metabolic activities function smoothly and your digestive health will be maintained.