fig newtons?are they really good?

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Wed, 27 Oct 2004 16:26:12 GMT

In high school and the part of college I went to, we were told, nutritionally, that our diet should consist of 60-65% carbs, 20% fats, and 15-20% protein. Since I still technically qualify for the category "young'uns", I'll add my two cents, and y'all can do whatever you want: I was told by my friend's coach, Eddie Reese, that the most important time to eat is the hour after your practice, and the half hour after you race. Something like 20 oz of gatorade, a bagel with low-fat cream cheese (toast works too) and plenty of water usually gets you close to what you need right after a workout. Here's the formula, roughly: a 200 lb person doing an hour's hard practice needs about 100 grams of carbs in the hour right after a workout. If you're not sure, try usaswimming.com. They have a really good nutrition tracker. Never was real big on meal replacements (except when I got sick during the winter) or complex shakes and stuff. Gimme a bagel and some gatorade any day! :cool: :cool:

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Thu, 21 Oct 2004 15:46:59 GMT

It's important to remember that hunger pangs are also confused with the need to re-hydrate. Swimmers tend to come out of the pool with appetites ready for a Thanksgiving dinner. I'm not sure if it's because we don't drink like a runner would for example during a 90 minute workout. A liter of water is good idea to keep around for the first hour or so after practice. Although the sports drinks are good, they're loaded up with sugar. Better to get the carbs from food instead of soft drinks disguised as essential training suppliments. And no offense to you George. I'm sure what worked for you then still works for you now.

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Thu, 21 Oct 2004 15:26:46 GMT

When I raced we mixed coca cola syrup with sustagen, or a week solution of tang with glucose powder. George www.swimdownhill.com

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Thu, 21 Oct 2004 15:19:07 GMT

Granulated white sugar takes three mila seconds longer to enter the blood than dextrose. George

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Thu, 21 Oct 2004 15:11:13 GMT

First 20-30 minutes after or even during the workout Dextrose (simple carbs), protein, 4:1 ratio... (Endurox ratio) Dextrose is corn sugar, it's also app. half the sugar in honey (my preferred source). It doesn't need any post ingestion processing by the body, so it goes straight into the muscles. Add some protein to the mix to aid muscle recovery. My favorite drink is two table spoons of honey, half a scoop of protein powder (app. 10-15g of whey protein), two cups of skim milk. Try it and I guarantee you'll feel your muscles thank you. Next hour to two: carbs, protein, other nutrients. Well balanced meal.

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 16:54:14 GMT

Now that's a sure fire way to lower your Vo2 max potential. Unless you've got a spare aorta or two.

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 14:59:59 GMT

Usually there's about a half hour window of time following a workout that you want to get carbs back into your system. Eating them can replace depleted glycogen storage so that you'll be running with a full tank for the next practice. Any kind of breakfast bar should do the trick. But Fig Newtons can be addictive, so be careful!!!

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 14:33:58 GMT

Originally posted by hooked-on-swimming Do you think us who swim miles and miles every day even need to watch what we eat?Would't we burn whatever we eat any way.I mean, like low-fat milk vs. regular, etc.I think we can pretty much be as garbage disposals and never suffer from that really since there's so much physical activity that it's all burned in the end. If you see yourself gaining fat, then you need to start watching what you eat (calories). It's about as simple as that (assuming your'e getting good nutrition) It's pretty easy to over-do calories and start gaining fat, even at pretty high levels of activity.

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

aquageek — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 11:03:25 GMT

Eggs fried in bacon drippings are much more satisfying after a good workout.

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 10:39:55 GMT

Originally posted by exrunner I don't think we can get away with eating anything - at least not us over-40 types. Even when I was in my best shape (maybe 6 years ago) I couldn't get my cholesterol under 200 by exercise alone. Since then I've combined exercise with a disciplined diet to bring my cholesterol down to 130. I don't speak for the entire species, of course. I have never had the problem of cholesterol, even though I ate all those cholesterol causing foods. Eggs one to one and a half dozen a week. I did however eat scotch oatmeal and massive amounts of different kinds of bread especially whole wheat and mill ground flour breads. Loved tomatoes, onions, pears, concord grapes, peaches, corn roasts and hot dogs. George

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 10:20:56 GMT

I don't think we can get away with eating anything - at least not us over-40 types. Even when I was in my best shape (maybe 6 years ago) I couldn't get my cholesterol under 200 by exercise alone. Since then I've combined exercise with a disciplined diet to bring my cholesterol down to 130. I don't speak for the entire species, of course.

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 09:46:58 GMT

WOW! I'm glad to hear that salty snack aren't so bad after having an intense workout. YAY CARBS! Who says carbs are bad?

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 09:37:08 GMT

I was always told salt is what transfers the good stuff to the blood. George

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 09:33:32 GMT

Do snack mixes count? Usually I have two ($0.65) bags of Tom's Mingles (They're much like Gardetto's) after my workouts. Although salty, I'm guessing (not so sure) that the bread sticks and pretzels are loaded with carbs. So, my question is, are salty snack mixes helpful in reloading carbs, or are they harmful?

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 09:15:10 GMT

When I was in top shape I ate anything and everything, but... when you lay off just don't continue the same habits that you are used to. I sometimes ate 2 big steaks with all of the condiments every day, bacon, eggs and home fries for breakfast some times with a steak. Dinner roast of beef or whatever lots of mashed potatoes, gravy my greens - green peas. When I took my 3 month lay off to rebuild I would go from 230 lbs to 300 plus. Then it all started again swim it off. My favorite sandwich while training was fried blood pudding, bacon and egg, dipped the bread in bacon fat, with ketchup and HP sauce. George www.swimdownhill.com

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 08:59:06 GMT

Do you think us who swim miles and miles every day even need to watch what we eat?Would't we burn whatever we eat any way.I mean, like low-fat milk vs. regular, etc.I think we can pretty much be as garbage disposals and never suffer from that really since there's so much physical activity that it's all burned in the end.

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 08:23:59 GMT

Fig newtons see what others think about these figments of imagination. www.nicecupofteaandasitdown.com/.../ George www.swimdownhill.com

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 07:38:37 GMT

I used to coach a swimmer who never listened. No matter what I said, the swimmer either changed it or did not do it at all. Typical example: at the end of practice, I would give an easy warm-down, and the swimmer would instead ask to be timed for an all-out 400 IM. So, one time, we were preparing for a meet at a higher altitude. As an experiment, I advised the swimmer to eat Fig Newtons. I told him the fig contained nutrients that would help the body adjust to its decreased ability to carry oxygen as effectively at higher altitudes. Wouldn't you know it? That was the only time this swimmer did exactly what I said...he was spotted on deck at the meet with Fig Newtons in hand. He even offered me one. Of course, I accepted it and said "Thank you!"

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 07:24:52 GMT

Most of my swims are in the morning early - 6:00. I try to eat a PB&J sandwich before I swim (on wheat). Seems to do the trick for me. I generally don't eat after - but do drink lots of water after.

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 07:06:50 GMT

I love Pizza especially with feta cheese and anchovies to get the salt back in order. Lots of carbs, fats and proteins. George www.swimdownhill.com

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 06:45:30 GMT

I stick with a Protein Plus Power Bar and a 12oz bottle of water.

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 06:09:49 GMT

If you don't want to spring for something like "Endurox", then a bagel with a modest amount of lo-fat cream cheese has a pretty good complex carb/protein ratio for recovery. Be sure to get it into you as soon as you can after the workout. Look on Amazon.com or wherever for books by the late Ed(mund) Burke on muscle recovery. Ed was a friend of mine and one of the most knowledgable people in this area. -LBJ

RE: fig newtons?are they really good?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 06:03:21 GMT

It's becoming really interesting.Throw me some ideas on what to gobble up right after the work-out.