Are you giving your body what it needs to perform at its best?
Exercise is a major part of keeping a fit and healthy body but it is only one part of the equation. In order to achieve and maintain a healthy body we must also focus on our diets. You can do all of the crunches and push ups you like but if your not feeding the machine properly you are wasting your time. Today I would like to focus on post-workout meals and snacks that will not only keep your muscles going but will keep body healthy. How many times after a great workout do you find yourself craving unhealthy snacks and meals? I know it sounds counterproductive but on more than one occasion I have found myself munching on poisonous fast food or an unhealthy snack after a workout. It was like my mind was saying, “Hey, after that workout you deserve a snack.” Well my mind was half right. Our bodies do need a snack but it really needs to be a healthy nutritious snack that will help build our muscles. Check out my list of snacks and ideas that are not only good for you but they taste great as well.
Fitness Fuel: Best Post-Workout Foods
1. Eggs
Low in calories and high in protein, eggs are an ideal post–workoutfood because of their ability to keep you full after a work-out, without weighing you down too much.
2. Bananas
Powerful workouts require carbohydrates. One medium-sized banana happens to have about 100 calories and 30 grams of carbohydrates, making them a great snack to follow any cardio or aerobics activity.
3. Berries
On top of being sweet and sometimes tart, berries are filled with energy-packed vitamins and antioxidants. More specifically, blueberries are rich in valine, which is used by the body to prevent muscle breakdown post-exercise and can double your rate of recovery after intense workout.
4. Greek Yogurt
What’s the biggest catalyst to muscle growth? Protein. With double the amount of protein than regular yogurt, Greek yogurt provides the body with a great protein infusion while having few calories and sugar.
5. Nuts
Nuts provide carbohydrates, protein, and the best kind of fats for your body. More specifically, pistachios are great forpost-workout due to their richness in potassium- an electrolyte lost through sweat.
6. Kefir
Kefir, a fermented milk drink made from probiotic bacteria, has been growing in popularity, and rightfully so. Just one cup of kefir contains 11–14 grams of “complete proteins,” which don’t occur naturally in the body. According to some scientists, it can provide health benefits for digestive and immune system
7. Water.
Whether you want shinier hair, younger skin, a healthier body (or all three!), pure, clear water is the world’s best beauty elixir. Drink at least 4 glasses daily.
And here are more snack combination ideas that I love
I love all these items so it would be easy for me to eat these.
great info! I need to get better about having protein after a workout . thanks for the ideas
I always drink water, and Greek yogurt is a great pick. I also love Kefir, I buy raspberry flavor, great foods to fuel your routine.
Egg, Greek Yougurt, Bananas are what I like to have post workout because they are filling and healthy. And of course, lots of water for hydration!
i need to start eating these and working out–way over weight
Great list of snacks! I love eating bananas and almonds before/after my workouts.
These are all great ideas! I love eating bananas after I exercise!
I like these tips, I am 67 years young, and really donot eat as well as I should or exercise every day but am trying to get better at it, thanks!!
I already include all these healthy snacks in my diet. I do avoid rice cakes. I’ll have to consume kefir more often.
I never thought of having eggs post-workout. What a great idea