Are you really hungry after a workout?
After you have had a hard workout and are feeling like you killed it at the gym, do you stop on your way out and grab a huge protein shake filled with sugar and a ton of calories? Sometimes these actions can just be habit. Even dehydration can make you think your hungry when your body is really craving some good old fashion water.
Studies have shown that exercise actually suppresses hunger, believe it or not. The hormone ghrelin is what stimulates your hunger and this hormone is actually decreased with physical activity. So exercise is somewhat of an appetite suppressant. Keep in mind that everyone is different and our bodies can all react differently.
The only time it would be ok to feed your body an "all carb" meal would be within a 2 hour window after a hard workout to give your body back the glycogen it used during your workout. Don't over do it with a sugar filled drink, bagel and cream cheese or an oversized protein shake that is full of sugar. Be sure you eat something small with good carbs, fat and protein about 45 minutes to an hour before your workout and refuel with something small within two hours after your workout. Keep small healthy snacks in your gym bag. Great post workout snacks would be a banana or apple with almonds or 1 tbsp of peanut butter, a small fruit smoothie made with low-fat yogurt or almond milk, or a half cup of plain greek yogurt with some berries.
Listen to your body. Make good choices. Don't over eat and don't starve yourself. Balance is key!
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
