What should I eat after a workout?

It's best to eat foods containing a combo of protein and carbs after you exercise. Learn more about which foods you should ingest after you work out by watching this video featuring registered dietitian Samantha Heller.

Transcript

00:00

If you're working out very hard, if you went for a very long run, you'll want something probably within 15 to 30 minutes, maybe

00:07

an hour. And usually-- and, of course, I'm sure you've already heard this-- you want that protein-carbohydrate combination.

00:13

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00:26

When you're finished working out, should you eat something? Well, that will depend on when your next meal is.

00:33

If after your workout and you take a shower, you're going to go have dinner or maybe go out to lunch, you really don't need anything right after.

00:39

It will also depend on the intensity of your workout. If you're working out very hard, if you went for a very long run, you'll want something probably

00:47

within 15 to 30 minutes, maybe an hour. And usually-- and, of course, I'm sure you've already heard this-- you

00:53

want that protein-carbohydrate combination. The carbohydrate replenishes the glycogen that you've used up.

00:59

That's what's fueling your muscles. And eating protein after a workout helps your muscles grow and be healthy.

01:07

So you could have some peanut butter on half a bagel. You could have a low-fat chocolate milk.

01:14

You could have a handful of nuts and a piece of fruit. Something with a little carbohydrate and protein to top off that workout is just fine.