Post Workout Meal

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I say that depends on when you workout. If you workout first thing in the morning on an empty stomach then yes, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Who is “they” anyway? Sometimes it’s good to question “them.” There is a lot of info diet and workout info out there. It’s always important to consider the source and to remember that what works best for one person may not be best for another.

I think that the post workout meal is the most important meal of the day because it is the meal that repairs the damage and replenishes the lost nutrients that both come as a result of working out. If you think about it, it makes sense from a natural point of view: animals in the wild chase down their prey and then they eat it. Workout then Eat. Getting nutrients into your system within half an hour of working out is tremendously beneficial. And getting the right nutrients is even better.

In this week’s Youtube video, “Post Workout Nutrition” I talked about consuming simple carbohydrates and fast acting proteins for your post workout meal. I’ve seen results with other combinations of foods but this combo seems to work the best. One thing that you want to avoid in your post workout meal is a lot of fat. Avoiding fat entirely can be difficult and is unnecessary. A few grams of fat is not going to ruin your post workout meal. And it is a good idea to consume more fat a few hours after you workout.

The important foods to have are simple carbs and a fast acting protein such as whey. Whey protein is so popular because it is a high quality protein and it is absorbed quickly into the body. This means that those muscles that you just tore down can start the reparation process immediately. The carbohydrates also play a significant role. Many people don’t realize that muscles have a lot of glycogen in them which is created by sugar. When we do high intensity exercises such as weight lifting, the glycogen fuels are muscles and after a workout, it needs to be replenished.

A simple and easy way to take care of the post workout meal is to get a hold of a basic whey protein and have it ready to mix with water and some type of sugar right after your workout. Of course, if you workout at home, you have quicker access to the food you need. Hint, hint. Another good source of protein and carbs is low fat chocolate milk or a glass of low fat milk with a banana. However you do it, just make sure that you do it. Fueling your body with the right foods at the right time makes a world of difference in your progress.

Post workout meals are a big part of that. Let me know how it goes.