Working out does wonders for your health and for your body, but it can't do it all. You need to pair a good workout routine with a smart, steady and healthy diet. More importantly, you need to eat the right foods at the right time to fuel your body and to get the best results out of your workouts. Here are some tips to help you plan. 

What to eat before your workout:

Your muscles rely heavily on carbs for energy, especially during intense workouts. Complex carbohydrates like whole wheat bread or pasta, fruit and veggies paired with a bit of protein work best as your pre-workout meal. Be conscious of the actual volume of food you eat as too much might slow you down during your workout. 

What to eat while you workout:

Most of your workouts won't require you to eat, but you should hydrate every 15-30 minutes. If you are planning on an extremely long endurance workout you might consider packing an energy bar or some fruit to help maintain your blood sugar for the entire distance. 

What to eat after your workout:

The best thing to do is to eat right after your workout. You should eat within 60 minutes of your workout but anything past 2 hours will reduce your body's ability to use the food to recover. After your workout your body NEEDS PROTEIN! This gives your muscles the building blocs they need to repair the damage from your workout which means more muscle and stronger muscle for you. The last and most important thing to do is REHYDRATE! Your body can't run at it's best unless you keep it hydrated. 

Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for more fitness and nutrition tips!