10 Good Foods To Eat After Working Out

By: Bobby Ivie

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Knowing at least 10 good foods to eat after working out will help you recover faster so you can get on with your day. The idea is to replace lost nutrients and regain some of the carbohydrates you will need for energy the rest of the day.

  1. Pasta. Pasta is high in carbohydrate and will help you recover fast. However, you don't want to ruin the effort you put in by eating pasta with the wrong sauce. For example, the fat in an Alfredo sauce would probably make you feel sluggish and add unnecessary calories. A marinara sauce or olive oil would be better choices.
  2. Fruit. Fruits have a lot of enzymes and carbohydrates. They can help you replenish the electrolyte stores that were depleted by sweating after working out. Bananas and berries are excellent choices.
  3. Sport Drinks. Sport drinks are good foods to eat after working out because they also replenish electrolyte stores. They are loaded with carbohydrates as well and are designed for people who go through hard workouts. Gatorade is a good example of a sport drink.
  4. Meat, fish and fowl. After working out, it is important to provide more protein for your body so it can repair itself. Good sources of flesh protein include skinless chicken and lean beef. It might be best to avoid meat that is high in fat.
  5. Grains. Grains are also a good source of protein. Whole grains like brown rice, wheat and oats are perfect for building the body back up after you have depleted it. These can be eaten in the form of food bars, cereal and breads.
  6. Nuts and Seeds. These are also high protein snacks that can help you recover quickly. Nuts and seeds not only have protein, but minerals that you lost while sweating. The good essential fats in them are also beneficial.
  7. Trail Mix. Trail mix combines many of the important foods to eat after working out. It usually includes nuts and seeds, dried fruits, and quite often, whole grains.
  8. Granola. This fits in the same category as trail mix because it contains oats, as well as nuts, seeds and dried fruits. It can be served with low fat milk or eaten dry. That makes it handy for taking to the gym for a quick post-workout snack.
  9. Yogurt. Yogurt is great after working out. It is refreshing, and it provides some carbohydrates you need to get you through the day. It also contains vitamin D and calcium. The calcium is said to be good for your bones. Strong bones are important for good workouts.
  10. Protein Shakes. If you are not ready to eat after working out, at least have a protein shake. Better yet, have one with some carbohydrate in it. The carbohydrate will give you back your energy, and the protein will give your muscles what they need to prepare you for the next workout.
Posted on: Jan. 07, 2011