Eating after Exercise

Deciding what to eat after exercise can be a delicate endeavor. You don't want to risk adding weight if your goal is weight loss, but you don't want to deprive your body of necessary calories and enzymes, either. Choosing the best post-workout foods and amounts will help you get the most out of your workout routine. Here are some of the best tips for eating after exercise.

Stick to Natural Foods
Certain sports drinks and energy bars are permissible exceptions, but try to plan your post-workout food intake around real, less processed food. If you've exercised for over an hour, eat a protein-based snack, such as peanut butter, yogurt or low-fat cottage cheese.
Eat Carbohydrates
The word "carbohydrates" scares many people, especially since some are still of the mentality that carbohydrates will make you gain weight. While too many of the wrong carbohydrates will certainly reap this result, your body still needs carbohydrate replacement to recover after a long workout. Some experts recommend eating a bagel with low-fat cream cheese after a workout that lasts an hour or longer to replace the necessary carbs.
Moderate Your Eating
One of the best tips for eating after exercise is to moderate what you eat during the rest of the day. You don't want to skip meals and lower your calories drastically before exercising, nor do you want to shock your body with a heavy calorie intake. You might need to consult a physician or dietary expert to find out exactly how much you should be eating.
Don't Forget to Rehydrate
Water is always a good rehydration choice, both during and after exercise. Rehydrating your body is just as important as refueling it with food energy. By drinking sports drinks that have controlled amounts of carbohydrates and calories, you can get the right amount of electrolytes to replace those depleted during the workout and hydrate your body at the same time. But don't substitute sports drinks for water every time-remember to hydrate with this natural source as well.