Why is post-workout nutrition important? | Prescription Fitness

As fitness coaches, we receive numerous questions on a daily basis ranging from exercise to nutrition. There is a lot of information about nutrition on the web. Some of it is accurate, some of it……not so much. It’s easy to get caught up in all of the wash. We are here to help decipher that information. One of the questions most frequently asked is why should I eat after I workout and what should I eat?

The list goes on and on about what to eat or drink after exercise. Think of your body as a dry sponge. If you were to pour water on the sponge, the sponge would absorb the water. Your body acts in the same manner. The obvious choice is protein. Consuming a viable source of protein post-exercise is essential for muscle recovery. It is best consumed within 30 minutes post-exercise. Consuming a protein shake is the fastest and easiest way to get protein into your body in a short amount of time.

Your body also needs a source of carbohydrates after you are finished with exercise. Some of the protein shakes already have carbohydrates included, if not, a serving of fruit is another option. The carbohydrates are necessary to replenish glycogen stores as well as to help transport the protein throughout the body.

Below is an excellent article posted by Men’s Fitness on why and what an individual should eat after exercising. http://www.mensfitness.com/training/pro-tips/fit-5-pre-and-post-workout-nutrition