Human intake and choice of foods at intervals after exercise

Thirteen college-age men and women were submitted weekly to submaximal exercise for 2 h. After each exercise session, they were presented with the same meal composed of two high-protein, one high-lipid and two high-carbohydrate foods. The meal was offered at random 0, 30, 60, or 120 min after the 2-h exercise or 60 min after a session without exercise. As compared to a situation without exercise, both the pre-meal hunger rating and caloric intake were substantially increased 60 min after an exercise session. Also, after such exercise, hunger ratings increased with time and the later the meal, the larger was the amount consumed, both in total energy and as intake from carbohydrates but not lipids or proteins.