Many people rave about their pre-workout but they often forget the post-workout. The pre-work is great to boost you up and prepare you for your workout and a post workout meal does wonders at sustaining your body and giving you what you need to safely recover from a strenuous workout. While you don’t have to go all out, you should not just leave your body high and dry when it comes to recovery from a workout. So what are the best post workout foods to utilize? Find out here!
Fruits
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This is a no brainer. While fruits are good for you, there is a reason that they’re good for you. Especially after a workout. During and after your workout, you may get cramping or muscle spasms. this is your body’s way of telling you that you’ve depleted it of essential vitamins that are necessary to keep them working smoothly and properly.
Oranges
Oranges provide vitamin C, fiber, and vitamin A. Surprisingly, oranges are also a great source of calcium. This sweet fruit will help not only build your immune system, but it will also help make your bones strong too!
Bananas
If you’re one to get those leg cramps then you’re going to want to stock up on bananas. Bananas are packed with fiber and pectin and aid in digestion plus contain potassium and B6. The potassium on the bananas are whats going to save you from the cramps.
Pineapples
Immune defense! Pineapples are loaded with vitamin C and manganese, and they keep bones dense and strong. Pineapples are said to be a natural cleanser.
Strawberries
Fat burner! Strawberries contain anthocyanins in the pigment, which help burn stored fat, while replenishing you with the necessary vitamins that your body needs.
Kiwis
A kiwi is loaded with vitamin K, potassium, fiber, and folate, which helps generate red blood cells. The more red blood cells there are, the more regulated your body is with hormones and oxygen.
Protein
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Protein has one big, important job. That is to provide protein to the areas of your body that needs it. Your muscles take a beating after they’ve been worked out, you push and pull and strain and groan when you add weights to the machines. Working out comes with many benefits, but it isn’t just as simple as getting on the treadmill or lifting some weights.
To really benefit from your workout routine, you want to make sure that you’ve got the right “ingredients”. You wouldn’t cook a meal without all the ingredients, right? So don’t workout without the right ingredients either!
Chicken and turkey are great for after a workout. It’s light and easy to digest. Try baked chicken or turkey, with a potatoes, and green beans. You won’t regret that meal!
Carbs
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Where protein builds muscles carbohydrates hydrate your body with protein. Meaning, carbs allow your body to digest protein. Without carbs, you would not be able to digest the protein that you put in your body. Without that protein, you wouldn’t be able to develop the muscle that you’re working for.
Rice cakes and potatoes are great. If you’re looking for a lighter snack, have a rice cake with peanut butter. If you’re looking for a more fulfilling meal, try a baked potato as side to chicken or turkey.
Fats
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Fat has the wonderful ability to work as a lubricant for your body. Foods high in fat line your stomach to help slow your digestive track. While this doesn’t mean it will slow your metabolism, it just means that your body will have a chance to absorb the nutrients that you’re putting into it.
Another great quality of fatty foods is that it reduces your sugar spike after eating a meal. While this happens to everyone this is something that fatty foods can reduce. Foods that are high in fats, like nuts, avocados, and fish, are prefect for a post workout snack or meal.
Top Tips
- Consume your post workout meal within 45 minutes of your workout. This will give your body the best benefits as it is the time your body is coming down.
- Don’t eat fried foods– If you want chicken, stay away from breaded or fried chicken.
- Don’t indulge- portion size efficiently.
- Make sure that you take care when it comes to buying fresh and not prepackaged with preservatives.
- Try meal prepping to not only save time but for a quick heat up meal for when you’re done with your workout.
A post workout meal doesn’t have to be a grand, extravagant four course meal. It is not meant to fulfill your every craving. It just meant to quench your body’s thirst for what you’ve depleted during your workout. Take the time to give your body the care that it needs after the workout so that you can see the most from your hard work. Tell us what your favorite post workout meal is! We’d love to hear from you!
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