Post-workout cravings influenced by type of exercise we do

It's a frequent topic of conversation among exercisers - whether and what people can eat after working out. I've always considered the difference to be about the person: "I have to eat as soon as possible" or "I can't face food after exercise". Research, however, suggests that the type of exercise that we do influences our post-workout cravings.

I tend to be an eater after exercise, but then I tend to be an eater anyway (though I'm working on it).

But Dr David Stensel, a leading sport scientist from Loughborough University's School of Sport & Exercise Sciences,  has found that exercise doesn't always stimulate appetite, because some types of physical actiivty, particularly running, suppress the hormone (gherlin hormone) that makes us feel hungry. His findings are published in his new book on the Influence of Resistance and Aerobic Exercise on Hunger.

This obviously has implications for weight loss, because certain types of exercise are more or less likely to encourage us to replace the calories that we burn during exercise.

"The body tends to respond to exercise so it can do it more efficiently in future. The lighter you are, the better for long-distance running, so your body will crave watery foods that lower your body temperature by rehydration while not piling on the pounds," he said.

"But if you are making your body lift weights, then you will crave carb- and protein-rich foods that will bulk up your muscles. Similarly, if you are regularly swimming in cold water, your body benefits if your brain guides you towards foods that will give you a layer of protective fat." 

As a swimmer, this makes sense (except when the pool's heating is on too high, but that's another story) to me. I run only occasionally, but first reach for a large glass of water when I do. I come home from swim practice or weight training desperate for food (like I said, I'm an eater).

Apparently these effects are a combination of psychological and physiological responses; and what's interesting is that the appetite that is suppressed by running is not compensated for later - so the effect on weight loss should be 'real' over time.

"So if you run for 90 minutes, you will burn around 1,300 calories but will not increase your food intake in the 24 hours after that exercise. In short, you burn all those calories but you don't get hungrier than you would have had you not exercised at all."

I'm not sure about not getting hungrier than if I hadn't exercised at all, but I guess that there will always be individual differences within results like this.

However, my take home for Fat Club (a group of old friends from swimming who are using a private group on facebook as a virtual support group which is working really well  - something that an iStadia club could be used for) is to add some running into my exercise regime.