When you start any exercising activity whether it is CrossFit, TRX, BJJ, or MMA, there are some questions that almost every beginner asks. Similarly, you might be worried about how much training you should be doing to be an expert in MMA, which workout clothes should be worn, how much rest is needed after the training, or what to eat during the day. Well, this post is particularly to address the diet-related questions that most of the MMA trainees have in their minds. Firstly, you need to understand the importance of eating before and after the MMA training. Then, I would be suggesting to you what should be eaten before and after the MMA training.
Why Is It Important to Eat Before MMA training?
There is a common myth related to any workout that workout should be done on an empty stomach, however, this is completely a groundless myth or an absurd piece of advice. Many recent researches have proved that there is not much difference when it comes to losing fat whether you do workout on an empty stomach or with a full stomach. The major reason behind this is the energy level that you have with or without eating before the workout. Without food in the stomach, you will lead to having less energy for the workout. Similarly, if you do not eat anything before your MMA training, you cannot perform well and will be exhausted very quickly. Moreover, your body will go on survival mode and will take protein from the muscles which will result in loss of muscle mass. This way, the metabolism also gets negatively affected by the lack of food before the MMA training session.
So, just like you are conscious about your workout clothes before hitting the gym or while going for any kind of training session, you need to focus on your diet intake as well. Therefore, always intake an appropriate amount of food before your MMA training to fuel your body. Your body will use energy from the stored food in the stomach and will not look for it in your muscles. When you’re fueled up, you tend to put more energy in the MMA session and you will burn more calories which will eventually be more helpful in losing fat.
What to Eat Before MMA training?
It must be kept in mind to never completely fill your stomach before the MMA training, as it will slow you down. Always, eat an appropriate amount of food that does not fill you up completely. What to eat before the training also depends greatly on the time of the day you’re going to have your training session and what you have been eating the entire day. In fact, you need to adopt a healthy lifestyle including the right diet, so read and follow these tips for a fit and healthy life.
So, you basically need to follow a complete diet plan and according to that eat a certain number of calories before the training. Before the training, you need to fuel up your body with good carbohydrates such as bananas, potatoes, or even complex carbohydrates such as brown rice or whole wheat. If you have to go to the training session in the evening, eat lunch as a major meal of the day and after that just eat a few bananas or boiled potatoes half an hour before the training.
Why Is It Important to Eat After MMA training?
As you have done MMA training with your full potential, your body must be out of nutrients. By the end of the session, your body must have used most of your glycogen storage. Your tired body needs fuel in terms of healthy nutrients to recover and repair itself. Now the question is which nutrients are the most beneficial to recover your body. Mainly, your body needs protein and carbohydrates within 1 hour of the training to start the repairing process. The fibers in the muscles are broken down during the activity and protein is the food of muscles which helps them to repair. Your glycogen levels need to be refilled quickly after the MMA session by eating healthy and complex carbohydrates.
It is even better if you have something with you to eat or drink right after the training such as protein shake or peanut butter. Remember, you should never eat junk food right after the training as this is the worst time to have it.
What to Eat After MMA training?
Prefer eating protein-rich food sources and complex carbohydrates right after the training. There are multiple choices for that such as grilled chicken, baked grounded beef, an omelet of 2 to 4 eggs with vegetables, or grilled fish preferably salmon. You can try more recipes using the same things on different days to avoid being bored. For carbohydrates, you can eat brown rice or whole wheat bread. Try to add salad including green vegetables with your meal after the training.
