Best Foods After A Workout

Michael Phelps - the big league swimmer – is famous for winning a record breaking number of Olympic gold medals. Newspapers celebrated this in every possible way, and Phelps, who was a stranger the world hardly knew before this feat, stole many hearts. Among the reams of column space devoted to him post this unparalleled streak at the games, there was one article on his diet, as well, which claimed that he eats a whopping 12,000 calories per day! Believe it or not, the trainers maintain that he could eat even more, considering his strenuous swimming regimen of five hours a day, six days a week. This makes it amply evident that in order to build muscles, one must not only exercise but also eat well (if not as much as Phelps!). The post workout meal is considered the most important meal of the day for anyone who considers health a precursor to wealth. But many people do not know how to replace lost energy post their workouts, nor are they sometimes even aware of the need for it. The fact remains that any strenuous exercise can deplete glycogen (a carbohydrate stored in muscle), making you feel low in energy afterwards. And for athletes or body-builders who exercise for long hours, replacing lost energy is even more necessary if their workouts have to succeed. Certain types of food help recover just that energy, making them known as recovery food.

 

A post workout meal should be a filling one including a good amount of proteins and carbohydrates. But let that not mislead you into going for whole meals of baked potato (rich in carbohydrates), tuna or egg (both rich in proteins). Instead, you have to energize your worked out body with a balanced meal containing proteins and carbohydrates in required quantities. It is better to have recovery food within half an hour of the workout. Before gorging on anything that comes your way as recovery food, find out what really is the best recovery food you can have. Look no further as some have been suggested right here.

There is nothing like these multi-flavored energy bars that are an instant source of energy. The best part is that these power bars can be eaten before or during the exercise as well as as a post exercise munch. It will have enough carbohydrates and proteins to rejuvenate your body along with all those other essential vitamins and minerals.

Just one cup of granola cereal mixed with a handful of fruits and dry fruits can help regain some of the energy lost. Not only is it an energy booster, it prevents cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and even obesity. Do you need more reasons to call it a great recovery food?

Sometimes after a heavy workout many people find it hard to take solid food. So instead of a meal they can have meal replacement drinks that will help nourish the body instantly without the discomfort of a full stomach.

There is nothing tastier and healthier than a fruit smoothie. Try making one on your own instead of getting it readymade, which may contain avoidable additives. For a homemade smoothie, you can combine 2 bananas, 2/3 cup mango slices, 12 ounces of chilled grape juice or any fruit nectar, 8 ounces of fat-free yogurt, and 1 tablespoon of honey (optional). You can add fruits of your choice as well. Even dry fruits make a good choice.

You can munch on a honey sandwich that has honey applied to it on both sides. Peanut butter makes the perfect combination. This is a storehouse of carbohydrates, proteins and fat. It is a complete meal as compared to many others, and very filling!

There are several good energy drinks prescribed by doctors themselves. Such energy drinks will have the right combination of all the necessary nutrients. You can find out exactly what quantity of these you should ideally have, from your doctor, nutritionist or dietician.