You’ve just finished a tough workout, and now you’re starving – but what do you eat to avoid undoing all your hard work? While it may seem like you deserve a little indulgence since you just spent all that time burning calories, opting for healthier choices is the way to go. Not only do healthy foods provide your body with all the nutrients it needs to function optimally, they also help speed up fat loss.
Here a few fantastic choices for your post-workout meal. These healthy meals and snacks provide a perfect mix of nutrients to fuel you through the day while keeping your weight loss efforts on track.
Fruit and Nuts
Fruit provides depleted muscles with a readily available source of carbs – an essential component of post-workout nutrition. During training, muscle stores of glycogen deplete, so consuming carbs post-workout helps to bring these levels back up to normal. Fruit also provides a plethora of vitamins and minerals which are readily absorbed by depleted tissues following a workout. Including heart-healthy nuts like almonds or pistachios in your post-workout meal is great for curbing hunger.
Green Smoothie
While it may not sound appealing, a green smoothie is an excellent source of post-workout nutrition. Tossing a handful of spinach or half an avocado into your normal smoothie recipe will add protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals that will help your body recover from strenuous workouts. To make a powerhouse green smoothie, consider adding berries and protein powder to the mix. The antioxidant boost from the berries and additional protein help with muscle recovery.
Turkey or Chicken Wrap
A quick whole wheat wrap with lean meat and veggies is a great option for a post-workout meal. Carbohydrates from the wrap will help replenish glycogen stores, while the protein from the lean meat will help depleted muscles recover from strenuous training. Adding veggies provides extra vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants essential for proper recovery.
Bean and Veggie Omelet
If you typically train on an empty stomach in the morning, eggs are a perfect post-workout breakfast to start the day. Eggs pack five grams of protein per egg, and they help build muscle while providing healthy fats essential for joint maintenance. Black beans and veggies further boost protein levels and provide a rich source of fiber-rich carbohydrates. If you prefer less fat in your omelet, consider using just one or two whole eggs and several egg whites instead.
What you eat following a workout can enhance or diminish your results. Including a healthy balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats in your post-workout meal will help ensure your fitness goals stay on track. Whatever you do, don’t give in to the junk – you’re working hard to stay active, so you should work just as hard to keep your diet healthy and conducive to your goals.
Visit Titanz Fitness for a free personal fitness evaluation with a qualified personal trainer. Share your goals with a trainer who will outline a nutrition and fitness plan that can help you reach those goals fast! Contact us today to speak with a fitness expert at our Smyrna fitness center.
