The one thing that might be even more important than what you do at the gym is how you fuel your body after you put in all that hard work. Recovery foods play a significant role in how well your body recovers from exercise, and whether or not you build muscle and lose fat.
The most nutritious kind of snacks for your post-workout are clean snacks. They help repair muscle, replace fluids, and glycogen you lost during exercise and will help you feel fantastic.
The truth is you can work your butt off at the gym and not see results if you don’t fuel your body right. The work you put into your snacks and meals outside the gym is just as important as the reps you put in while you’re sweating.
The challenge is finding snacks that are clean, quick, and healthy, so you don’t have to spend a ton of time prepping.
Try any of these 3 quick and clean post-workout snacks for an instant pick-me-up that supports your fitness goals.
1. Nut Butter & Banana
This quick snack consists of one of our most impressive portable fruits, the humble banana, and any nut butter of your choice. Combine the two, and you’ve got a crazy healthy snack that will replenish your nutrient stores tout de suite.
Bananas pack a punch full of vitamin C, potassium, and the ever-important fiber factor in helping you feel full.
Nut butter comes in a variety of options—peanut, almond, cashew, pistachio—and are a flavorful fat-filled food fantastic for feeling full and satiated.
Just pick your favorite nut butter, scoop a dollop on the end of your peeled banana and go to town. For added crunch, try spreading some nut butter on a rice cake and add some banana slices on top.
2. Fruit & Greek Yogurt
If your body can tolerate dairy products then greek yogurt could be your best post-workout friend if you let it. Convenient, satisfying, and nutritious, Greek yogurt has tons of lean protein and carbs to replenish your lost stores after a hard workout.
Throw in some fresh berries and top it off with a drizzle of honey, and you’re good to go!
3. Hummus and Crackers
Ready for a super savory vegetarian option? The best and most satisfying salty snack after a hard workout might be hummus and crackers.
Hummus packs a decent protein punch and tastes great too. It comes in all kinds of flavors, such as roasted garlic, olive tapenade, and roasted red pepper, so you’ll never be bored. All you need are some crunchy whole-grain crackers for dipping, and you’ll be feeling full and happy in no time.
Trying to stay lean on the carbohydrates?
Instead of pairing your hummus with crackers, try some crunchy veggies. Grab some carrot sticks, sliced cucumber, and broccoli florets and enjoy them with your hummus for a crunchy treat, minus the extra carbs.
