Feed Your Muscles.
A grueling workout does not give you license to feast on an entire package of mint creme Double-Stuf Oreos – as much as we might wish it were so. After a heavy lift or a long run, your body is primed and ready to replace glycogen stores and repair your muscles. In order to do this, choose a snack that’s a mix of carbs, protein and healthy fats.
A few of my favorites:
Chocolate skim milk. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to drop wads of cash on fancy protein powders. This childhood favorite provides the right mix of good stuff – and it’s downright refreshing.
Banana with peanut butter. I like to slice the ‘nana into coins and add a small schmear of natural PB to each. Watch your portions though – nut butters provide healthy fats, but they’re calorie dense as all get-out.
Almonds and orange slices. Tasty, full of protein, fiber and vitamins - and helps quell even the most raging of sweet tooths.
Whole-grain crackers and hummus. I crave this after a long run, when I’ve sweat out every grain of salt in my body. Hummus is a great source of protein and healthy fats, and both components provide a good dose of healthy fiber.
Turkey and roasted red pepper mini wrap. Split the tortilla in half and share this with your favorite workout buddy. If you put in a very, very good workout, you can add a small dollop of light cream cheese. Small.
Hard-boiled egg on whole-grain bread with a slice of lowfat cheese. I eat this all the time. I can’t get enough. It’s an equally tasty, yet healthier, version of the everpopular fast food breakfast sandwich. Add some Louisiana hot sauce for a little kick.
Added on June 30, 2009- Array
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I would agree with the
I would agree with the chocolate milk vs protein powder, in that the milk provides the same amount of sugar and protein as the powder does, however, it won't provide the same amount of vitamins that most powder will.
From my past experience as a speedskater competing at a national and international level, most athletes find that they need to take a vitamin suppliment with the chocolate milk to fully replenish their bodies after a hard workout. Due to those reasons, many people find the protein powders provide everything in one drink, whereas the milk, although it provides the basics, doesn't cover everything.
However, for the average workout, I was more than happy to just take the chocolate milk and skip the potein powder, simply because chololate milk tastes sooooo good, and that I knew that I was refueling my body to an extent that it would be ok for me to skip the vitamins and whatnot.