Describe the importance of pre- and post-exercise nutrition choices.

Module 05 assignment-exercise and nutrition | Nutrition | Rasmussen College System

Pre-exercise nutrition choices are essential for providing your body with the energy it needs to perform during exercise. Eating a balanced meal or snack that is high in carbohydrates, low in fat and protein, but moderate in fiber will help fuel your workout and give you energy to complete it at an optimal level. This type of pre-exercise nutrition can also help prevent nausea, muscle cramps, dizziness and dehydration during exercise.

Post-exercise nutrition choices are equally important for refueling the body after exercise. Eating within 30 minutes after exercising helps replenish carbohydrate stores (glycogen) which fuels the muscles during physical activity as well as repair muscle damage caused by stress from intense workouts. Nutrient dense meals that contain both carbohydrates and proteins can aid in speeding up recovery time as well as reducing pain and inflammation post-workout. It’s also important to drink plenty of fluids following a workout session to ensure proper hydration levels are maintained.