A workout is always more appealing when it serves as an excuse to eat,

and luckily for active people, proper food before and after exercise is

crucial.



The most common and widely acknowledged pre-workout food is a protein

bar. Its mixture of carbohydrates and protein increases energy levels

when eaten 45 minutes prior to activity.



"Protein during workouts shows benefits called sparing glycogen,"

Dr. Paul Vanderburgh, professor and chair of the department of health and

sports sciences, said. "When stored glucose is gone you have to rely on

blood glucose, which is less efficient. Protein helps stored glucose last

longer."



The benefits from protein are well-known among nutrition experts, but are

only helpful for those who exercise. Lifestyles void of exercise should

not be filled with protein bars, despite their healthy qualities. With no exercise, these bars are just empty calories.



"If you're a couch potato and you're eating protein bars because you

think it's good for you, you're just adding calories," Vanderburgh said.

"Just like Gatorade. It's great for you when you're working out, but if

you're just sitting around sipping Gatorade you're adding calories you

don't need."



Another factor involved in the bars is how many grams of protein they

should contain. Many exercisers have overcompensated with the amount of

protein, be it protein shakes or excessive amounts of protein, such as 24

grams per bar.



All a bar needs to help a workout is about 10 to 20 grams of protein,

Vanderburgh said. They should have about 150 to 200 calories.



If there is no time for a bar prior to a workout, protein should be consumed afterward to recover. A second idea for after exercise is skim

milk, which aids in rehydration.



Some of the most popular protein bars are Powerbar-Protein Plus Carb Select, South Beach Living High Protein Cereal Bars, and Premier

Nutrition Slim Advantage Bars. These can all be picked up at a local

grocery store.



What you eat isn't the only thing that has an effect on your waistline.

Find out next week why drinking sometimes packs on the pounds and which

drinks have the lowest calorie count.