Thread: working out at night...what to eat?

Always have protein and carbs PWO and then for your last meal have just protein and fats.

Regardless of what time it is,carbs are optimally utilized at the Post-Workout meal.

A carb is a carb and doesn`t turn into anything evil just because it`s night time.

Just as long as you do not exceed the amount of carbs you need for the day you are OK.Once your body has replenished carbs for the entire day,you do not need more for that day.
As far as the last meal goes before hitting the sack,eat a can of tuna/salmon.The fats in the tuna or salmon, will make it take longer to digest ,thus giving you a slow trickle of protein while you sleep.

Most people recommend cottage cheese but I don`t recommend dairy products when cutting.

Just my 2 cents,good luck!

Originally Posted by tjwes

Just as long as you do not exceed the amount of carbs you need for the day you are OK.Once your body has replenished carbs for the entire day,you do not need more for that day.

Tim and Jodi,

What do you mean by this?
Would it be optimal if I were to eat only carbs morning, 1 hour pre workout, and immediately after workout, therefore making my 3-4 other meals protein and fat only with no carbs? I thought each meal should have some carbs to help process the protein, but I am sur eyou know more than I do. I do live and don't follow evereything strictly , but would like to understand the right idea for the correct mindset. Also, I feel that I am gaining unwanted mass by eating 35g rice carbs and 50 g protein immediately following a workout and then consuming another meal of 35g protein, 30g carbs, and some fat 1 hour later. Is this the ideal strategy for your PWO meal plan in your opinion? Thanks ya'll for any advice.

Originally Posted by tjwes

Regardless of what time it is,carbs are optimally utilized at the Post-Workout meal.

A carb is a carb and doesn`t turn into anything evil just because it`s night time.

true...but you also have to take into account that insulin sensitivity naturally decreases at night so the amounts and types of carbs consumed at night should not be the same as those consumed early in the day...

personally I wouldn't spike insulin after a late night training session but would go the low GI route with whole oats for carbs...and as Jodi stated using only protein & fats for the last meal...

Lam,I certainly wouldn`t binge out on carbs at any time of the dayy but in my opinion the GI is highly overated as it changes drastically depending on what foods you ingest with the carbs.

It is a good rule to eat them early if only for psychological reasons and peace of mind.If it helps ,do it,it`s not that big of a deal if you eat clean.

mkmadsen ,I think your plan is good and I never count fibrous carbs into my daily total unless I am trying to acheive ketosisd.I feel the carbs found in veggies/salads are very negligible calorie wise and as far as insulin spikes go.

I would drop the fat post-workout and switch the rice to dextrose.

Just my 2 cents as I know others will disagree with it but it works for some people depending on their sensitivity to carbs.

tim, one question for ya....


What are the optimal times in the day for insulin spikes? I am diabetic, and while this is a disadvantage for my metabolism, I can still eat my carbs to onset my insulin at the exact times needed. Daily insulin is needed at a normal level throughout the day, but would it be ideal to only have insulin spikes/surges in the morning 20 minutes after a run, 1 hour pre workout and immediately post workout (all three times with carbs of course)

Thanks

Matt