Eating to Reach Health Goals

What and when you eat certain foods can boost how you feel at different times during the day. When it comes to meal planning, timing is everything.

Important for anyone trying to lose weight, research shows that having a high-protein breakfast — that means 35 grams’ worth — can keep your appetite in check for the entire day. It may even help you avoid evening snacking. Options with that amount of protein include a very generous cup-and-a-half of Greek yogurt; an omelet prepared with one egg and three egg whites and filled with ricotta or cottage cheese; or a less conventional breakfast of four ounces of chicken breast or six ounces of canned salmon.

A lot has been written about what to eat before and after workouts. Choosing the right foods at the appropriate times can boost your stamina and quicken recovery time. Current thinking is to have a small meal with carbs and protein one to three hours before you exercise, and then a snack 15 to 20 minutes afterward to replenish energy stores and help muscles grow.

Pre-Exercise Fuel Choices

Peanut butter and banana or PBJ sandwich
Fruit slices with nut butter
Greek yogurt or oatmeal and berries
Handful of raisins and nuts

Post-Exercise Fuel Choices

Whole-grain wrap with turkey
Low-fat chocolate milk
Low-fat milk and fruit smoothie

One study found that having more high-fiber foods — something most people rarely get enough of for colon health — throughout the day, along with cutting back on saturated fat and sugar, could lead to deeper, more restorative sleep. As a bonus, this switch might also help you fall asleep faster.

More information

The American Council on Exercise has more about fueling before exercise to maximize your performance.