Eating after a workout is just as important as the workout itself

Question: I often hear I should get protein after my workout. Can you give me some examples of easy ideas I can have?

Answer: Of course! Eating after a workout might be just as important as the workout itself! When you exercise, your body draws on glycogen, which is stored in the liver and in your muscles, for energy. After a workout, your body’s priority is to build those glycogen stores back up, as well as repair the muscle fibers that were broken down during the exercise. And to do that, you need – you guessed it – fuel! Replacing your glycogen stores requires carbs, and repairing muscle requires protein, so the best post-workout snack is going to be some combination of the two! Thankfully, there are plenty of snacks out there with both carbs and protein, and what works best is going to depend on you and your workout. Here are a few of my favorite snacks (many of them grab and go options!) to get you started:
Chocolate milk, protein shake, peanut butter on toast, blueberries, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, string cheese, bananas or apples (any fruit, really!) and almonds!
My recommendation? Keep your snack drawer stocked with some of these options so that you have a healthy snack in reach! It’s an easy way to make sure you’re prepared to refuel after a great workout. Happy snacking! 

About the author: Jayme Smid is the club manager at Anytime Fitness in Brandon. To submit a question, please contact the author at jayme.smid@anytimefitness.com.