Your workout routine doesn't end when you leave the gym. Refuelling after a sweaty gym session is just as important as what kind of exercise you do. A healthy snack, whether you prefer sweet or savoury, can help your muscles regenerate and keep your energy up for the rest of the day. There are plenty of quality options out there, from store-bought protein bars to homemade smoothies. Here are nine options to choose from, each containing essential post-workout nutrients.
Best Post-Workout Snacks
9 Healthy Snacks to Help You Properly Refuel After a Hard Workout
1. An Apple With Peanut Butter
A small sliced apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter provides an ideal combination of protein, healthy carbs, and healthy fats to help you recover post-workout.
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2. A Glass of Chocolate Milk
Chocolate milk, with its ideal ratio of protein and carbs, is a great post-workout snack to assist with fatigued muscles and speed up recovery.
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3. Two Eggs
If your goal is weight loss, eggs are a perfect post-workout (or anytime) snack, especially if you eat the yolk and white. They are packed with protein to keep you full, plus they up your vitamins A, B12, and D, as well as calcium, folate, and omega-3s.
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4. A Homemade Smoothie
After your workout, skip the gym's cafe smoothies, which are often loaded with more sugar and calories than key nutrients. This high-protein strawberry banana spinach smoothie is a way better option. The recipe is vegan and packed with flavor.
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5. A Peanut Butter Sandwich
Peanut butter sandwiches are more than just a childhood favorite. They make for a healthy post-workout breakfast option that's loaded with protein, carbs, and potassium.
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6. Homemade Trail Mix
Homemade trail mix is a great option when you need a boost of energy, as long as you keep clear of sugary ingredients and stick to dried fruit, nuts, and seeds. Just keep a few bags of your favorite recipe in your gym bag, car, and desk drawer at work.
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7. Greek Yogurt With Berries
If you like a hint of sweetness post-workout, Greek yogurt with berries is a great option that also packs in the protein and calcium. Adding fresh fruit to plain yogurt is a healthier option than choosing the flavored kind.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lexi Lambros