The 4 Best Foods to Eat After a Workout
By Stepy Kamei
Nothing feels better for your well-being than a good workout. When you've worked up a sweat and burned off a good amount of calories, it's easy to feel proud of your accomplishment. However, knowing what you should be snacking on after a successful workout can only make your health success even greater! It's a false myth that being healthy involves cutting back on food -- it's all about eating the right food. Read on to learn more about the best foods you can and should be snacking on after working out.
Eggs
Eggs are one of nature's best compact health foods. They're full of many important vitamins and minerals, including healthy fats and protein. Protein is essential for keeping your energy up throughout the day. As an added bonus, eggs are a complete protein. This means that they contain all nine essential amino acids, which improve muscle health and recovery, especially after a workout.
Leafy Vegetables
Dark, leafy vegetables are also chock-full of vitamins and minerals that keep the body going. They're also a good source of fiber, which can help keep you feeling full for longer throughout the day. A diet with plenty of fiber keeps hunger pangs at bay, which is always a bonus. Be sure to stick with kale, arugula, and spinach for the best options.
Berries and Apples
Fresh berries are delicious, portable, and full of antioxidants -- what's not to love? Blueberries in particular are a great option, and they're easy to pop in a plastic baggie before hitting the gym. Apples are another great choice. It helps that they're naturally sweet, so they can provide a nutritious burst of energy to prevent you from tiring out after your gym time.
Nuts and Nut Butter
Finally, nuts are a fantastic food to fuel the body after a workout. Nuts are an especially great option if you have to head to work right after the gym. They're full of healthy fats and protein, both of which will help keep you feeling full and energized so you can keep going through your busy day. As for nut butters, peanut butter is great, but there are other options as well. Almond butter and sunflower seed butter are nutritious, vitamin-rich alternatives. You can even pair your favorite nut butter with a few apple slices for a truly delicious and nutritious snack.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that it's never a good idea to work out without fueling your body as well. These are just a few healthy options to get you on the right track when it comes to nutrition. You can always meet with a nutritionist to further improve your snacking game!
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor in Temple, Tex.