Workouts are a great way to make your body stronger. But all the exercise won’t be wholly beneficial unless you eat the right food after you’ve finished. Here are a few things you’ll need to put on your plate to help your body recover properly from what you’ve just put it through!
Leafy greens
Sports medicine physician John Martinez recommends leafy greens, especially the dark kind. That means foods like spinach, kale, and bok choy. These are full of nutrients like iron and calcium, which regulate your metabolism, strengthen your bones, and aid muscle repair.
Lean proteins
A daily dose of protein is great for strengthening your muscles. While meat is often the best place to find these nutrients, beans, seeds, nuts, and other foods are also a great source of protein for non-meat eaters. Whatever your preference, make sure you opt for lean proteins. These have fewer calories and saturated fat while retaining the muscle recovery benefits of the standard protein. Think of foods like chicken, fish, and beans.
Avocado
Like anyone needs another reason to add avocado to their diet. This fruit is a wonderful source of healthy fat that will ensure you feel fuller for longer. It’s a good food to consider if you want to keep your carbohydrate intake low while still getting the best workout recovery possible.
Quinoa
The amount of carbohydrates and protein in quinoa means that it has everything your body needs to recover from a workout. Enjoying this after your visit to the gym should ensure that it doesn’t take a week for your muscles to feel good again. Plus, quinoa doesn’t contain gluten, so it’s a great food for anyone intolerant.
Protein shakes
Given the benefits of protein for muscle recovery, it makes sense that protein shakes are excellent to have after a workout. A good shake can contain around 30 grams of protein, along with several grams of leucine, which is ideal for muscle growth. However, if you don’t already drink shakes, make sure to do some research before buying, because not all shakes are the high-quality product that your body deserves.