Post-Workout Snack Attack

So your New Year's resolution to maintain exercise is finally kicking in and you've done really well hitting the gym this week, right?  I'll assume your answer is yes and now you need to know a little bit about post-exercise snacks.  While you're working up a sweat doing the Weekender Workout, your muscles are using up their glycogen stores to keep you moving during that minute of squat jumps.  By the time you've finished, a good amount of your muscle's fuel is used up and needs some revamping.  Here's where the proper snacks come in - high glycemic foods (rated based on the glycemic index) - so they are digested quickly and transported right to your muscles (try for foods with a 4:1 ratio of carbs to protein).  I'm a proponent of sticking with fresh, whole foods and avoiding processed bars and such, so here are some suggestions:

• Baby Carrots with 1-2 Tbsp Hummus  
• 1 Banana with 1 Tbsp Krema Natural Peanut Butter
• Shredded Wheat (NOT FROSTED) and Skim Milk
• 1/2 Baked Potato and 1 Tbsp Light Sour Cream
• Watermelon
• Pineapple
• Raisins or Dates with a handful of Raw Nuts
• Unsalted Pretzels (dipped in mustard - optional)
• Try blending: 1 1/2 cups of any of these fruits and 1 cup of Plain Stonyfield 0% Fat Greek Yogurt (add ice - optional)

Eat one of these snacks within a half hour of working out to revive your glycogen stores and prevent prolonged soreness and muscle fatigue.  You might not feel starving immediately after a workout, but (believe it or not) this is the best time to eat and give your body the energy it needs.  So at least get in a quick snack and then in about an hour (when your appetite is back) load up your next meal with lean protein and veggies to maintain your muscles and hard work!


ACM'S Top New Male Vocalist Finalist: Drunk On You - Luke Bryan