Good nutrition and fitness go hand-in-hand. You can't have one without the other. However, there are so many untruths out there that it can be hard to sort the fact from the fiction. One person might tell you that you have to exercise every day to see results. Another may say that you only need to exercise a couple of times each week. Someone might say that you need to eat five balanced meals every day, while another might encourage a special diet with a workout bar thrown in here and there. So, how do you figure out what is and isn't true about nutrition and fitness? Here are some common myths you might run across, and the truth behind each one:
- Never eat right after a workout -- This myth has people believing that eating immediately following a workout only adds unnecessary calories. However, the truth is that your body needs to be refueled after a hard workout. You can even improve your body's composition by fueling it with the right nutrition within 30 minutes of a workout. This is where a protein bar can come in handy.
- Never eat carbs -- The truth is that all carbs are NOT bad. Yes, there are bad carbs out there, but carbs actually give us energy. You just have to choose the right carbs, such as the ones found in whole grains, fruits, and veggies.
- Avoid eating before a workout -- Yet another myth that hurts more than it helps. Just as your body needs fuel after a workout, it needs fuel to get through the workout. So, get your snack on before you hit the gym—just make sure it's a healthy, fueling snack, such as one of our workout bars.
- Avoid in-between meal snacks -- This myth can be particularly misleading. Yes, eating too much can work against you on your journey to fitness. However, eating 5-6 small, healthy meals every day is actually a good thing. The constant source of fuel keeps your metabolism running at full steam, as well as keeps your blood sugar at the perfect level. Just make sure you choose well-balanced meals and snacks.
- Eating as little as possible will help you lose weight -- Here is another harmful myth that many people fall victim to—the myth of starvation. Sure, you can starve your body, and you may even see a few minor results. But then your body realizes that it's starving. So, instead of burning more calories, it goes into starvation mode, which means your metabolism is barely running as your body tries to conserve all fuel and energy. Eating right is the key to losing weight and getting fit.
- As long as you work out, you can eat what you want -- While it would be great if this myth was true, the fact is that if you want the best results, then you need to use the best fuel—in this case, proper nutrition. So, cut out the junk food, exercise, and give yourself an occasional “cheat,” now and then, to keep the cravings at bay.
To learn more about fitness and nutrition, contact us today at Promax Nutrition.