BiProUSA Blog
July 9, 2010 - What To Eat Before and After Swimming
I love swimming! I don’t consider myself a serious swimmer, but it’s one of those fun activities that just makes you feel like a kid again! Plus, I keep hoping that splashing around in the pool a few hours a week will get me arms like Dara Torres (P.S. did you know you can follow her on Twitter? @DaraTorresSwims)!
But whether you’re taking a leisurely swim or doing laps, what you eat before you get in the pool can have a big impact on how well your body performs. According to Livestrong.com, swimmers should focus on a diet rich in carbohydrates for lasting energy and lean meats to help rebuild and strengthen muscles.
One to two hours before you go swimming have a light snack. Don’t over eat though, or you’ll risk getting nasty stomach cramps (remember what your mother told you about eating before swimming!).
And remember, even though you probably won’t feel yourself sweating in the water, your body is still losing fluids. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!!!
After your swim, take some time to refuel within about 10-15 minutes of getting out of the pool. This timeframe is called the “glycogen recovery window” and is when your body needs the nutrients in order to repair muscle tissue and replace glycogen stores. Again, foods rich in carbs and protein are a good choice; eggs, whole-wheat toast or a BiPro shake are all excellent choices.
So slather on that sunscreen, suit up and hit the water!
Hugs,
BiProUSAGirl
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