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In order to maximize the effects of your gym visits, you need to eat great post-workout snacks. So that’s why I’ve compiled a list of eight awesome foods for you lovely people!
WHY EATING AFTER A WORKOUT IS IMPORTANT
The calories you eat after a workout are immediately used up for repairing your body and replenishing nutrients that help optimize the hard work you did at the gym. It does not store these post-workout calories as fat.
A trainer at my gym told me that if you don’t get protein RIGHT after a strength training workout (within 15 minutes following your cool down!) the benefit of that workout begins diminishing. So eat healthy, protein and carbohydrate rich snacks right away!
Repairing your body is key to avoiding injury while maximizing your workouts!
THE SNACKS
- Chocolate Milk. Fat free chocolate milk is a great post-workout snack (way more effective than gross, multicolored sports drinks like Gatorade!) because the combination of protein and carbs are just right for rebuilding tired muscles. Chocolate milk is especially helpful for endurance athletes because it produces more glycogen (muscle fuel!) than any other sports beverage.
- Tuna on whole wheat bread. Carbs and protein together pack a powerful punch! They are exactly what your body needs. Spice up your tuna sandwich with some balsamic vinegar or lemon juice and make sure that bread is whole wheat.
- Hummus and a whole wheat pita. Has anybody been to Pita Jungle? Please, for the love of everything good and holy, try their hummus platter. DELICIOUS, I’m telling you. You can also get hummus at the grocery store. It’s a great source of protein (and it’s vegetarian!) and it goes well with pita bread and veggies.
- Protein shake. I like whey protein in my shakes (especially the vanilla kind!) mixed with some kind of fruit (most of the time plain ol’ bananas and strawberries). The great thing about protein shakes is that if you have errands to run or whatever after your workout, it’s one of those ‘on the go’ choices. I’m not gonna lie, it’s really hard to eat a plate of hummus in a moving vehicle. Especially if you’re the one doing the driving.
- Greek Yogurt Parfait. Sounds fancy, right?! It totally is. So grab a glass, spoon in some yogurt, then add a layer of granola, than another layer of yogurt, than blueberries, then yogurt, then granola… just go crazy! And get enough granola in there. That’s the best part. I suggest Greek Yogurt because it has less sugar and more class.
- Two scoops of peanut butter. The ‘lazy’ option. The ‘I’m no Food Network Star and I never will be so gimme an easy way out that I can stuff in my gym bag’ option.
- Oatmeal. Surprisingly a great choice. Fiber, protein, AND carbs. Throw in some fruit and you’re golden. Try and go with the oatmeal that has the least amounts of sugar (or better yet, just chuck some of those oats that come in a jar thing into the microwave!)
- Almonds. I’ve ranted about my hatred for almonds before. I really have. But you know what? I kinda love almonds in the respect that they have lots of protein, good fats, and other scrumptious vitamins. And after five you are so full. Almonds naturally supress your appetite. You might want to supplement almonds with some carbs, too, so it might be a good idea to eat some oatmeal as well.
Now go hit the gym!
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