Best foods to eat after exercise?

dinneenp

Hi
Just wondering what's the best food(s) to eat after evening exercise (football)?

Cheers,
Pa

EileenG

A protein and carb combo. Ideally, I'd suggest something like a whey and glucose shake, but chocolate milk is also popular. Or cottage cheese and honey. Or chicken and sweet potato. Your choice.

dinneenp

Hi,
thanks for the replies.
for me it'd be playing football (6-7pm)
for my wife it'd be a spinning class in the gym (7-8 or 8-9pm)

So when we're home just wondering what's best to eat/avoid. After all no point in doing a good session and then ruining it afterwards.

Obvioulsy some foods are better than others. Stuff like cereal (good cereal, brown bread toastie sandwich are these bad?)

EileenG

After a good exercise session is probably the best time for a high gi carb. If you have a Special K fetish, this is the time to give in, just add in a decent protein as well. But there are better choices. And of course, keep an eye on portion size. No point eating more than you burned. You only want enough to replenish muscle glycogen.

dylbert

I usually have a smoothie after the gym, just had milk, banana, walnut and honey, MMmmmm

danlen

Just as a side point, I know that some peolpe on VLC diets ditch the carbs and replace them with good fats post workout.

For those of you in the know:

Would this still allow for good recovery from the session?

Don't MCT's, for example, act in the same way as carbs?

What way would you alter the post-workout meal for some on, say, a ketogenic diet?

EileenG

On a keto diet, I'd eat a fast absorbing protein like whey post workout. Adding a very small amount of glucose is optional. It won't affect ketotis, but may help with protein absorption.

MCTs act like carbs in that they provide quick energy, but they are fats and don't trigger insulin or get stored like carbs.

If you are working out on keto, you'll probably find that it takes longer to warm up, and you may need a longer rest between sets. But you should still be able to lift as heavy as ever.

D500B

I love to have chicken based fijita afterwards. A good quality one with loads of chicken jammed with protein.

EileenG

Some of the old style bodybuilders used to boil chicken breasts and liquidise them for after workouts. UGH!

RobAMerc

hi,

can I ask if it should be simple carbs ( an apple (I think) or complex like porridge (I think) ) or a Mars bar ?

I normally have a whey shake and high protein lunch after my workout.

thanks

EileenG

Not a Mars bar. That's carbs and fat, which is a bad recovery combo.

Whey sounds perfect.