Post-Workout Snacks: Eating to Recover

We’ve talked about eating before your workout, but what about afterward?

Your body needs to fuel to prepare and so it only makes sense that you’ll need to refuel in order to restore and recover. But once you’ve worked up a good sweat, what exactly should you be eating?

Once you’ve worked up a good sweat, it’s all about carbs and proteins. Fats should be avoided as your body doesn’t require much fat during workout recovery. Stick with snacks that are 2/3 carbs and 1/3 protein. Need some suggestions? Greek yogurt with fruit, tuna on rye or trail mix are all great choices that will give you the ideal amount of carbs and proteins with relatively few fats.

Ready to plan your post-workout menu? Get started with this great recipe:

Easy, Organic Egg Salad

What you’ll need:

12 large organic eggs
2 tbsp organic mayonnaise
1 tbsp organic whole-grain mustard
1 tbsp lemon juice
¼ tsp garlic powder

2 stalks organic celery, washed and chopped
1 small organic dill pickle, washed and chopped
¼ organic red onion, washed and chopped
Salt & pepper to taste

What to do:

1. Hard boil the eggs in a large saucepan (see: How to Make the Perfect Hard Boiled Egg)

2. Place eggs in ice water to cool. Once cool, peel eggs into a large bowl. (If you’re worried about cholesterol, leave out a few of the egg yolks.)

3. In the bowl, add mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder and lemon juice. Chop it all together with your fork until the mixture reaches your desired chunkiness and texture.

4. Add the onion, celery and pickle.

5. Mix and serve how you wish! Try spreading the egg salad on rye toast and top it off with lettuce and tomato. Or, top your favorite crackers with the salad and add a small slice of avocado.

Tip: At times, after coming home from a good workout, we’re pretty tired or we aren’t that motivated to put a solid effort into preparing a healthy snack. Here’s the key: always plan ahead. Prepare your pre-cut veggies and fruits beforehand or make meals in advance in bulk quantities. This way you can simply grab your ingredients out of the refrigerator and be eating in just minutes! Plus, you’ll be less likely to opt for those quick, yet less nutritious snacks hiding behind your cupboards. Trust me, you won’t regret it!