Beginner’s Guide to Sports Nutrition: What to Take and When

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Introduction

[{"selector":"#anim-417464b1-0590-4738-8de7-6cc3d4c43553","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1835206b-259d-4cd2-b3cd-baa1607a71e3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.8265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-be157d8e-cccc-4ccc-a7b2-b68bceceb322 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4cfaaf21-bfd7-4e5a-9b2d-b78d2742e8e5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eb6b3ce2-7f44-4f01-b50a-71ea56f908b3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.8265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0f9d48e5-0dc4-4806-b685-408c6f0ae0c5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cf641360-4e65-46eb-ab84-ab0c027af7c0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-124.00001%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Are you starting your fitness journey? Sports nutrition is key to fueling your body for performance and recovery. Here's a beginner-friendly guide on what to take and when for optimal results. Photo by Freepik

1. Pre-Workout Nutrition

[{"selector":"#anim-0924f4ff-3083-4454-85ae-b77209cfd268","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-90dfef84-ec66-4f60-aac2-9ecdc8449ce1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(114.10658%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-56d4f829-468d-40b4-a744-df25e0c17ccf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f9ec6612-6625-4a80-90c1-96f7a38c506e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-200716fa-1470-4506-a48a-dd71c4050569","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3d56c9ce-1295-46c7-a47d-ceff616298a2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(180.50000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-94da9862-aa19-4174-8a6a-a4d59011f7f2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Consume carbs and protein for 1-2 hours before exercising. Oatmeal, bananas, and protein shakes provide energy and prevent muscle breakdown during workouts. Photo by Freepik

2. During Workout

[{"selector":"#anim-252bd8a2-1849-4a1e-8959-b8eb8bd31799","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-24f0744b-441c-4a76-bbc7-89915dd7b419","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.60509%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6a7894ff-aa5d-49f9-866b-069fbc5038ca","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e5d26d5e-3a14-485e-9c0a-73cefe50031d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.625%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f8420aab-fb58-41c1-b65c-b94d298a370a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ce37c163-d3bc-4a8c-98a9-b76438f8d5dd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-124.99999%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e249d75d-3779-445c-9d39-91e73c26f6a2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(33.58178644329835%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Water is sufficient for sessions under an hour. However, electrolyte drinks or small-carb snacks should be considered to maintain energy and hydration during longer workouts. Photo by Unsplash

3. Post-Workout Recovery

[{"selector":"#anim-ccbe6017-aa3f-4b94-8503-7f539a714303","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d924d160-bf31-496b-8485-d0c19b020aa2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.13924%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-589068ab-9065-4089-aa9e-bff7aca336f0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fe0fe98f-8546-41ff-8b55-cc31012b7f8e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.50152%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-96c8dea1-467f-4db0-ad66-ca241f7c7500","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-20cfb73d-1ae4-40cb-8163-cdb6ada3edf7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-124.00001%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5c3233ef-c8da-48c1-9f17-f68659e989f0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Refuel with a protein-rich meal or shake within 30 minutes of exercising. Pair it with carbs to replenish glycogen stores and kickstart muscle recovery. Photo by Freepik

4. Protein Supplements

[{"selector":"#anim-a1e1719e-4281-432a-b599-ebcc1b6acb19 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-58aab2ce-7f38-4df9-9f9b-fd4e0fdfff26","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2e1875e3-0f70-4fdb-b31d-b5c04479d18f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(117.47573%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ef729e9f-7ce6-4dd2-b49e-7f5c1b65678f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-26ad9b10-cffa-4b00-b43e-76dc7a9b3157","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(107.71513%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b197a1ca-398e-4eb3-86a9-df2bcc51d18a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ea016a88-3f15-49e0-ba3e-b5bf43abde17","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(180.50000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Whey protein is a quick and effective way to meet your daily protein needs. Take it post-workout or as a snack to support muscle repair and growth. Photo by Freepik

5. Hydration

[{"selector":"#anim-47a573df-a6ac-4114-9535-5dff360e1e83 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4c7d620c-4aa0-4a19-ad5f-e8e541117b63","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7e0b0227-4266-41d6-8e03-4a4ef83e5992","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.55555%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5b60026a-fa94-45c7-85f0-f298f1de5538","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-877c630a-00a5-40ef-ae0b-ab96be1e8077","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.17161%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f11863bf-d911-4dcf-914b-5305fc30e4b9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9adf1a38-df8a-4de2-af0b-fae2e71b683e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-124.99999%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Stay hydrated throughout the day. Drink water consistently, and during intense workouts, opt for electrolyte-rich drinks to replace lost minerals. Photo by Freepik

Conclusion

[{"selector":"#anim-582302d0-9f67-414c-a5c4-722b600c4c80","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-65ec689e-970e-4fdc-b9eb-ef081bff1a28","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.14196%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cc3183d3-8087-4a1c-9d1b-e6955c4c35df","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-20795a0c-1f2f-4600-aa9e-35a81c65bd12","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.00001%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-04d12b7b-8fd7-45f8-9599-139202e8ceff","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6f3c2552-02da-4465-8bbc-788025b75ca2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-124.00001%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4ad966cd-4c67-4994-96f0-12ed38b41909 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(7.812499744007886%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Understanding sports nutrition helps maximize your efforts. Start simple, eat balanced meals, and use supplements wisely to achieve your fitness goals. Photo by Unsplash

Discover more about supplements

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5 Common Mistakes in Post-Workout Nutrition

[{"selector":"#anim-adec642b-bd94-4d23-84ae-8762ef326f7a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0e76ac58-11e7-48eb-a551-6bf0137e1750","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-553784b4-4f6e-4c8c-b6fe-67a4b0c47b90","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-75c52601-9468-466d-9446-68f69cec7d46","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo by Freepik Here's what to read next Let's go