Our relationship with food has been a complicated one, with so many different people telling you what you should and shouldn’t eat. Each opinion often contradicting the last. Developing a healthy relationship with food is driven mostly by the realization that we need it to survive and that there’s nothing wrong with enjoying it either. Knowing what your body needs to function properly will help you develop a diet that’s easy to follow.
If you’re the athletic type, a good relationship and understanding of food and its role in our everyday lives will help you keep your body in tip top shape. Of course it’s good to fuel your body before a workout to give you the energy you need. But did you know that it’s just as important to eat after a workout as well? It’s necessary to refuel the body after expending so much energy while also helping with recovery so you’re ready to do it all again the next day.
We’ve put together a list of important foods that would be great for your after workout snack session.
Carb it UP!
While there may be a lot of diets out there touting carbohydrates as the worst food for your waistline, when consumed in moderation and at the appropriate times, they can be extremely beneficial towards fueling your energy level.
Honestly, bananas are amazing. Bananas are loaded with potassium, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, magnesium, and folate while also being an excellent source of carbohydrates. All of which are beneficial for energy and muscle recovery. Throw some pineapple chunks, quinoa, and whole milk into the blender with a banana, and you’ve got a delicious power packed smoothie.
Both the regular white potato and the sweet potato are also excellent ideas for an after workout meal addition. Packed with those energy boosting carbohydrates the body needs, potatoes offer a filling and delicious way to refuel your body. They’re good for a snack or as a side for a meal of grilled salmon and rice.
Protein
Which brings us to another major player in the athlete’s food game. Your body goes into recovery mode after a workout and meal of protein and carbs can help. Eating protein after a workout can repair and regrow the muscle proteins while also preventing future muscle breakdown.
While meat eaters have a wide variety of sources of protein they can consume, namely in red meat, chicken, and salmon. The healthiest method to preparing meats is on the grill, and if you make a lot in advance, would be great for making and freezing future meals with fresh veggies. For the vegan or vegetarian, there are plenty of sources of protein (such as nuts, beans, grains, and seeds) to make tasty after workout snacks you can eat to increase your protein intake.
Food is necessary for life and capable of making yours a healthier one. Discover the foods your body needs and feed it, refuel your body and it will help push it towards its physical peak.
