Experts
say, to eat the perfect post-workout meal, you must combine complex
carbohydrates, water and some protein.
Your body tends to use up glucose
to fuel your workout, so when you are done exercising, you need to eat
foods that raise your blood sugar levels gradually, rather than make
them spiral.
Here's a what-not-to-eat post-workout guide:
Cheese
High fat and processed cheese is not what you should be eating after
running a mile. The reason is that cheese has a large amount of
saturated fat, and salt too. If you are craving a salty snack, munch on
soya crisps that are cheese flavored.
Processed Meats
Rustling up a salami sandwich after an aerobic session sounds divine,
but processed meats are high in fat and salt. They end up slowing down
your digestion. Bacon, salami, and sausages have fat marbling. Eat a
sandwich with boiled chicken instead.
Cereals
It's one of the deceptive ones. Although healthy, some varieties can be
loaded with sugar, especially if it's packaged refined cereal. What you
can have instead is half cup of low-sugar granola with fruit and nuts,
and no added sugar. Add some skimmed to it.
Bread
The starch in bread turns quickly into sugar, and that's not something
your body needs after a workout. It needs nutrients. But if you must
have bread, go for a small portion of whole-grain bread. White bread is
off the list.
Fruit Drinks
Fruit drinks
are very high in sugar, which ruins the gradually raise in blood sugar
levels plan. If you crave something other than water after you workout,
have an iced herbal tea. Or drink a glass of coconut water. It's healthy
and natural.
Eggs
Eggs are considered a
good postworkout snack since they are packed with protein and choline
that are good for the heart. But avoid them fried. When eggs are fried,
they are cooked in fat. It's better you eat them boiled.
Milkshakes
Smoothies are fine, except you need to be sure about what has been
dunked into the blender. If milkshakes are made with fruit, it becomes
very high in sugar. Replace it with almond or regular milk, or even
green tea.
Uncooked Veggies
Raw vegetables
may be packed with nutrients but they lack the ability to keep you
energised after a workout. You need something more substantial if your
muscles must recover from the wear and tear, and your metabolism going.
Nutritionists suggest you add high-protein add-ons to the veggies. Think
hummus or a yogurt dip.
