What Is Good To Eat After Working Out?

By eating the right things after you workout, you can help your body get ready for your next workout. Choosing the right foods and eating them at the right time can give you energy for your next workout. Eating can also prevent blood sugar dips and keep you going strong for the rest of the day after you finish exercising.

Glycogen Replacement

The glycogen found in muscles is a crucial part of your ability to complete your workout with energy. During a workout, your muscles lose glycogen. According to the "Journal of Sports Science and Medicine," having enough glycogen in your muscles at the beginning of a workout is a big factor in determining your endurance and performance. By eating after you work out, when the muscles are best able to restore their glycogen levels, you can speed the process. When your levels are back to normal, you will have more energy for your next exercise session.

Post-Workout Snack

To help your muscles replace their glycogen stores, eat a snack immediately following a workout, when the muscles are the most receptive. Choose a snack that has complex carbohydrates, which your body uses to restore glycogen. If you cannot stomach solid food right after exercising, you can drink your carbohydrates in the form of fruit juice. The American Psychological Society recommends that you eat your post-workout snack with a caffeinated drink because caffeine improves your body's ability to absorb glycogen.

Muscle Damage

When you exercise strenuously, your muscles become damaged. A study by the "Journal of Sports Science and Medicine" states that the damage does not stop when you stop working out but continues for hours afterward. In order to rebuild and strengthen your torn muscle tissue, your body needs protein. Without it, the torn fibers can make you sore and hinder your body's ability to build muscle.

Post-Workout Meal

In the meal following your workout, you can help your body repair and build muscle by having a serving of lean protein. Protein promotes the growth of protein and helps prevent the body from breaking down your muscle mass to use for energy. Look for healthy options that will not sabotage your fitness goals: a serving of chicken or beef, eggs or even tofu. The Mayo Clinic recommends a regular, balanced meal with protein, starch and vegetables.