So after class one night I told my friends that they need to eat some protein afterwards. The question arose as to what to eat? Well let’s get into that later and focus on why you should eat.

After doing an hour or two of dance fitness in a M. Nicholson Hip Hop Fitness class you should always eat. When it comes to becoming or staying healthy as it pertains to your fitness goals, one of the most important meals you eat is the one you have after you exercise.

There is a window of time of about 60 minutes that your body is going to need you to eat. This time frame is when your muscles are in need of nutrients. The food that you take in during this time is vital for replenishing muscle as well as energy.

Your body needs a renewed source of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and are used by your body for making muscles, hormones, neurotransmitters, bones and a host of other important things. During a Hip Hop Fitness class, your body is depleted of critical amino acids such as glutamine, valine, isoleucine and leucine. To combat this depletion you should digest some protein. Meat, chicken, eggs, fish or whey protein powder are some good examples.

Another thing that your body needs is some carbohydrates. Working out saps your body’s glycogen storage, which is the storage form of sugar. Glycogen is in the muscles and liver awaiting for it to called into action. So as soon as that first song hits you start to move your body begins to provide your with fuel. The best carbs are oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa, and all vegetables and fruits.

Your muscles need protein for repair and growth, and your body needs some carbs to replenish its glycogen stores. Remember, right before exercise you have to consider the time it takes to digest food, so you need to go light. But post-workout is the ideal time to have a full meal. A good meal like salmon, spinach & sweet potato for instance.