The Best

Post-Workout Foods

By the Valet. Staff | July 8, 2015

You've just worked out. You're tired and hungry. At this point, anything will do, right? Wrong. It turns out, the food you eat after exercising may be the most important food you consume all day. Because if you don't refuel properly, you'll be left sore, exhausted and won't see the benefits you could be getting from the time you're putting into your fitness. Experts agree, within a 45-minute window from your workout, your body is the most responsive with absorbing needed carbohydrates and protein. Here are the best foods to rebuild those depleted muscles, without having to hit the health food store.

Chocolate Milk

Ingrid Nelson, a Washington, DC-based personal trainer says that low-fat chocolate milk is the optimal recovery drink—way better than your standard sports drink. In fact, researchers found (PDF) that chocolate milk restores muscle glycogen and rehydrates the body just as well as Gatorade. Plus, it packs a gold mine of calcium, healthy fats and natural whey protein.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

It's not just about protein. During an intense workout, your body breaks down muscle glycogen, your energy reserves. Good carbs, like sweet potatoes, are great for replenishing your glycogen stores, says Andrew Leonard, a certified trainer and expert for inerTRAIN. They're also packed with vitamins, nutrients and a healthy dose of fiber to keep you full. Plus, a medium sweet potato is only about 100 calories. Pair with some grilled chicken, chop it up into a hash with eggs or blend some into a smoothie.

Trail Mix

Crunched for time? If you're not headed home after working out, stash some trail mix in your gym bag or car. A handful or two of the nuts and dried fruit delivers a quick shot of protein and healthy carbs. Tailor the mix to your taste by making a big batch at home. Combine banana chips, dried pineapple, almonds, walnuts, raisins and for an added protein boost, mix in some soy nuts (a half cup contains a whopping 34 grams).

Eggs

In terms of nutritional powerhouses, an egg is the gold standard. At just 70 calories, one egg contains over six grams of protein, all nine essential amino acids and important branched-chain amino acids, which have been proven to reduce muscle damage after a workout. And don't let that Rocky scene fool you, raw eggs have no advantages over cooked ones. In fact, cooking eggs allows your body to absorb almost twice the amount of protein.

Green Tea

Some iced green tea isn't just a refreshing, thirst-quenching and caffeinated pick-me-up after a long run or sweat session. The antioxidants in the tea have been found to help metabolize fat and fight exercise-induced free radicals that can cause muscle soreness and inflammation. Make a large pitcher and add in natural flavor boosters like mint or ginger. Or go old-school and master the art of matcha.

Greek Yogurt

With double the amount of protein compared to regular yogurt, Greek yogurt is a nutrient-dense snack that will restore and repair your muscles after a workout, says Dr. Louise Burke, head of sports nutrition at the Australian Institute of Sport and coauthor of The Complete Guide to Food for Sports Performance. She recommends topping it with fresh berries which, thanks to their micronutrients, have been proven to help fight muscle soreness.