5 Best Post- Workout Foods

I’ve recently written about the 5 best pre-workout foods to prepare you for your trip to the gym. While your pre-workout meal is important, what you eat after your workout is equally valuable. While it’s good to focus on your post-workout foods, you must also remember that during your workout you lose a lot of water when you are sweating. Hydration is the most important thing to keeping your body healthy.

1. Chocolate Milk

Chocolate Milk has everything you need after a workout. It has carbs and proteins for muscle recovery,  and water to replace fluids lost through sweat. There are whey protein powders that come fortified with chocolate flavor. Just mix it in a shaker bottle to take with you to the gym for after your workout.

2. Grilled Chicken Mixed with Veggies

Grilled chicken is filled with proteins making it a great meal to eat while your body is in recovery. Grilled chicken will nourish the body to repair muscle tissue while the vegetables ensure you get complex carbohydrates to replenish you.

3. Dried Fruits and Nuts

If you don’t have the time to cook up a full meal after your workouts, which let’s be honest most of us don’t, dried fruits and nuts are a quick and convenient option with plenty of beneficial nutrients. Dried fruits and nuts will provide a healthy dose of simple carbohydrates, plus provide some protein as well.

4. Fruit Smoothie with Protein Base

Fruit smoothies are my favorite post-workout food. A fruit smoothie will not only hydrate the body after a workout, it also allows you to pack plenty of nutrients in a single beverage. An advantage with liquid meals is that they are quick to digest and absorb. Try blending frozen fruit with Greek yogurt, protein powder, or some type of milk or juice.

5. Tofu Veggie Scramble

If you are a vegan, it is still possible to get a healthy protein and carbohydrate meal for post workout recovery. Tofu scrambled with spinach, green onions, sweet corn, roasted potatoes and red peppers makes a colorful and nutrient rich dish that you can whip up for your main meal.

What is your go-to post workout meal?