If you’ve been in the bodybuilding world for at least a few months, you should already know that your post-workout meal is actually the time to optimize the muscle building process because at this point your body is more receptive to taking in the nutrients you feed it, directing them to the muscle cells. However, what many of those involved in bodybuilding do not know is that fruits are actually not the ideal food to eat during this time.
here’s why.
fruit structure
We all know that fruit is healthy for us – it’s something that was told over and over again by both our parents growing up and by all the ‘guides to healthy eating’ out there. Other than those who are on a seriously strict low-carb diet, most people will try to include at least one piece of fruit in their day to optimize their nutritional health.
This is great because fruit is definitely a healthy food; They contain a good dose of fiber, are relatively low in calories, most are rich in vitamin C, and many contain other nutrients as well.
However, what some people don’t realize is that half of the carbohydrates you find in fruit are from fructose.
fructose pathway
When you consume fructose from the foods you eat, it is first digested and then immediately moved to the liver, where it is stored as liver glycogen. This is very different from when it goes into the muscle cells and is stored as muscle glycogen because the body is not using this liver glycogen for fuel – at least not nearly to the same degree that it does muscle glycogen.
So, by consuming large amounts of fructose in the diet, you are actually reducing your ability to get energy from your diet, as well as the amount of fuel your muscles need to build new tissue and help with good weight gain.
Applying it post workout in bodybuilding
So, looking at it from a bodybuilding perspective, what is your main objective when you eat your post workout meal?
This is to deliver as many carbohydrates to the muscle cells as they can handle so that they can use this energy to build new tissue and make you bigger.
If you’re consuming some of your carbohydrates in the form of fructose, is that going to happen? maybe no. sure, you’ll still get Some Muscle glycogen resynthesis is happening, but you’re not maximizing it.
Don’t you want to build as much muscle as possible?
I felt so
So, if you have been eating fruit as part of your post-workout meal, reconsider. Definitely don’t cut out the fruit – as it is very healthy and should be eaten, but just do yourself a favor and have it in another part of your day.
Your muscles will thank you.
Source by Shannon Clark
