Should I Eat Less Calories On Rest Days

You know that you need food to fuel your athletic performance and reach your goals. But what you don’t know is if you should eat less calories on your rest days. We’re going to explore this question and give you more information on how to adjust your calories based on your goals and your training.

Should I Eat Less Calories On Rest Days 

Eating less calories on your rest day is entirely dependent upon your body optimization and performance goals. One of the most common reasons people work out and follow a nutrition plan is to build muscle and lose body fat, aka body recomposition or body optimization.

Rest day nutrition is just as important as nutrition on training days, as well as pre and post-workout nutrition.

Recovery from training can take up to 48 hours post-workout to adequately rebuild and repair muscle mass. Including the right foods in your nutrition plan to efficiently and effectively reduce muscle mass soreness and initiate muscle protein synthesis are crucial not just after you work out, but on your rest days as well to grow.

If you don’t workout you may think that you should reduce your calories since you will not be expending the same number of calories. Again, what and how much you eat on your rest days, entirely depends on your goals.

If your goal is body recomposition then eating less calories on rest days will result in more muscle gain and body fat loss. Your body still needs nutrients for optimal recovery and growth, however, if these needs are being met, you can slightly reduce your caloric intake.

If the goal is to build muscle and gain, then it would make more sense to keep your caloric intake the same on rest days. This will ensure you have ample glycogen resynthesis, energy, and nutrients to power your next training session.

Performance nutrition can also differ on rest days. If your goal is to fuel for athletic performance, eating more carbohydrates and being in a caloric surplus can help replenish glycogen stores, aiding in the following training session. This is especially helpful for endurance athletes, or those participating in high-intensity functional training protocols.

Should I Eat Less Calories On Rest Days: Takeaway 

Nutrition strategy and protocol will vary depending on your specific goals, training intensity, and duration of exercise. Including quality carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats will ensure nutrient delivery for better muscle protein synthesis, and glycogen resynthesis for optimal recovery and muscle growth.. Carb loading and consuming more calories on rest days will also help performance athletes and those that wish to achieve more muscle growth, for better fuel on their following training day. If the goal is body optimization or weight loss, achieving a caloric deficit is important for body composition. Slightly reducing your caloric intake on rest days will help achieve body fat loss and muscle gain. Your best bet, however, is to hire a certified nutrition coach to ensure you are getting the right nutrients for your specific goals.  


Need Help With Optimizing Your Diet And Nutrition Plan To Finally Get The Results You've Been Waiting For?

The Swole Kitchen is an exclusive membership opportunity for those who are looking to pursue a performance-driven lifestyle. By combining wellness consulting, nutritional lifestyle improvement, and 1:1 customized nutrition plans to our members, our programs aim to optimize human potential. In each of our programs, you’ll receive guidance to reclaim your health, fuel your lifestyle, and pursue performance ambitions, all while learning how to make nutritional decisions from a place of self-trust and intuition. All of our coaches are committed to providing the highest level of results-driven wellness to our members.
SWOLVERINE IS AN ENDURANCE ATHLETE AND ACTIVE LIFESTYLE BRAND. MADE FOR THE ELITE ATHLETE, AND THE STRONG-WILLED OUR PRODUCTS WERE DESIGNED TO FUEL YOUR ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE. WE PERFORM WHEN YOU PERFORM. 

We believe that everyone can optimize not only their athletic performance but their human potential. The way we believe we can optimize performance is through transparency, clinically effective doses, and clinically proven ingredients with evidence-based outcomes. We provide the nutrients you need to power your active lifestyle.

 

Walter Hinchman

Walter Hinchman

Walter Hinchman is the Founder and CEO of Swolverine. He is a NESTA and ACE certified trainer and holds a Masters Degree in Business and in Finance and Economics.

Nutrition

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