Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews

Ep. #757: Chris Barakat on Optimizing Peri-Workout Nutrition


Listen Later

If you like to geek out, this episode is for you. That’s because I’m getting into the weeds with Chris Barakat on peri-workout nutrition.

If you don’t know what that means, peri-workout nutrition refers to the food you eat before, during, and after training. We’re talking pre-workout meals, post-workout feasts, and even intraworkout replenishment.

Now, one important point (and one we’ll get into further in the episode) is that the advanced strategies Chris discusses are optimizations, as opposed to foundational knowledge.

If you’re someone who just wants to get in shape without too much fuss, get your energy balance right and follow a meal plan that hits your macro targets, and you’re going to be doing better than most. In other words, get the most important things right, most of the time, and you’ll do well.

But if you’re someone who likes to optimize--someone who wants to do everything you can to eke out every ounce of progress possible, these are the types of dietary strategies you should at least be thinking about. These small tweaks may not make a noticeable difference in the moment, but they can move the needle over time.

Even if that’s not you, though, I think you’ll find this episode interesting, and you just may learn a strategy or two you’d like to try.

In our chat, Chris and I talk about . . .

  • What peri-workout nutrition is
  • Specific macros and food choices for pre-workout and post-workout nutrition
  • Whether the glycemic index of your carb choices matters
  • Carbohydrate supplements
  • When intraworkout nutrition is useful (and when it’s not)
  • And much more . . .
  • If you’re not familiar with Chris, he’s not only a member of Legion’s Scientific Review Board, he’s also a published scientist, educator, coach, and natural bodybuilder, so he’s had many years of developing his book smarts and “in the trenches” know-how, and definitely knows how to get results.

    So take a listen and let me know which of the strategies we discuss you’ll be implementing, as well as your own favorite peri-workout foods. :)


    Timestamps:

    5:06 - What is peri-workout nutrition?

    19:46 - What does a pre-workout meal look like?

    25:33 - What are your thoughts on carbohydrate supplements?

    35:51 - What should your protein and fat intake look like before a workout?

    40:44 - How do you approach post workout?

    47:12 - Is resynthesis more efficient at night?


    Mentioned on the Show:

    Chris Barakat's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christopher.barakat/

    Chris Barakat's Website: https://schoolofgainz.com/

    Shop Legion Supplements Here: https://buylegion.com/mike


    Want free workout and meal plans? Download my science-based diet and training templates for men and women: https://legionathletics.com/text-sign-up/

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Muscle for Life with Mike MatthewsBy Mike Matthews

    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8

    4.8

    4,537 ratings


    More shows like Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews

    View all
    Boundless Life by Ben Greenfield

    Boundless Life

    5,002 Listeners

    The Model Health Show by Shawn Stevenson

    The Model Health Show

    7,258 Listeners

    Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth by Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer, Justin Andrews, Doug Egge

    Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth

    12,061 Listeners

    Muscle Science for Women by Ashleigh VanHouten & Rachel Gregory

    Muscle Science for Women

    469 Listeners

    High Intensity Health with Mike Mutzel, MS by Mike Mutzel shares interviews with Peter Attia, Jason Fung, Stan Efferding,

    High Intensity Health with Mike Mutzel, MS

    1,225 Listeners

    Choose Hard with Cody McBroom by Cody McBroom

    Choose Hard with Cody McBroom

    784 Listeners

    Mark Bell's Power Project by Power Project Studios

    Mark Bell's Power Project

    1,558 Listeners

    Optimal Protein Podcast with Vanessa Spina by Vanessa Spina

    Optimal Protein Podcast with Vanessa Spina

    781 Listeners

    The Genius Life by Max Lugavere

    The Genius Life

    4,889 Listeners

    The Jordan Syatt Podcast by Jordan Syatt

    The Jordan Syatt Podcast

    3,781 Listeners

    The Peter Attia Drive by Peter Attia, MD

    The Peter Attia Drive

    8,529 Listeners

    Muscle Intelligence by Ben Pakulski

    Muscle Intelligence

    16 Listeners

    Huberman Lab by Scicomm Media

    Huberman Lab

    29,186 Listeners

    The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show by Dr. Gabrielle Lyon

    The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show

    1,202 Listeners

    The Macro Hour by Nikkiey Stott

    The Macro Hour

    587 Listeners