Last week I overheard a conversation between a trainer and a client…they were about 3 feet away from me.  This particular client is very, very active.  She hikes, bikes, consistently workouts out and builds homes with her own two hands for the less fortunate. She gets it.  What she understood about protein was a bit misguided though.

On her long hikes (2 hours plus) she was eating only foods very high in protein with limited to no carbs.  Her understanding was that the protein would stay with her longer and help her keep her energy up during her hike.  She “certainly felt full” when eating this way so she felt like in that regard it was working.  She did not have the energy she was looking for though and that was a bit puzzling for her.  She even understood it takes longer to break down protein than most carbs – so what’s the problem?

Protein does not provide energy.  Carbohydrates and fat do.  The protein may have satiated her (made her feel full) because it does not break down quickly and it does not create an insulin response.  Your body also burns more calories to metabolize protein so in essence it was draining her of valuable energy during her long bouts of activity. 

The better strategy in this case is to eat snacks heavy in carbs with limited amounts of protein.  The best time to ingest foods high in protein and lower in carbs (not no carbs) is after the event.

Carbs during. Protein after.  Win.

Dave
www.homeofficeworkouts.com

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