What do I eat or drink after my workout?
Eating the Right Foods After Workout Should
be Your Number One Goal
You see me pictured above, finishing drinking a post workout protein shake.
People have always asked me the question "When is a good
time to drink a protein shake?" And my answer is A N Y T I M E!!! It is always a good time to drink a protein shake!
Your body needs protein round the clock because your body breaks down
protein into amino acids that help it to build, rebuild, recover, and
recuperate. Your body needs a steady supply of these amino acids from sun
up to sun down. Not only do you need protein at breakfast but at lunch
and dinner too and throughout your day. Your body breaks down protein
into these valuable amino acids that we need even in efforts of weight loss and
burning body fat. Not taking in enough protein is a common mistake or
myth that happens frequently to those trying to lose weight and burn fat.
However if there is a most important time to consume a protein
shake or protein in general, I would surely have to say immediately following a
weight training workout or within an hour afterwards. Even within an hour
after a good cardio workout too! Protein powder can be mixed with water,
milk, juice, Crystal Light, sports drinks, or with low fat yogurt in a smoothie
as you see in the picture above. Protein shakes a QUICK, FAST, and EASY
and yes they do actually count as calories. (same with protein or nutrition bars)
WHY WHEY PROTEIN? Whey protein has the highest biological
value (BV) of any protein ranging from a biological value of 100 to 140 on the
average. Your body rapidly and quickly absorbs whey protein. This
is good following any workout because your body needs the protein right then
and not an hour later. Whey protein is HIGH in digestibility as compared
to other protein foods that must be broken down through the digestive process,
when just virtually enters right into your hard working muscles to deliver the
protein exactly when you need it.
SOY PROTEIN is also a great choice but just not as high in biological value as whey. Soy does have many healthy benefits. Soy contains isoflavones that can increase estrogen production for women. Guys not to be worried! There is most likely not enough in there to lower testosterone production. Thousands of men drink soy milk daily. I am not sure "how much" you can drink daily however. Personally I believe for most fitness purposes, whey may be better however soy has been know to increase metabolic function. Even drinking SKIM MILK is also a great choice and so are EGG WHITES.
SOY PROTEIN is also a great choice but just not as high in biological value as whey. Soy does have many healthy benefits. Soy contains isoflavones that can increase estrogen production for women. Guys not to be worried! There is most likely not enough in there to lower testosterone production. Thousands of men drink soy milk daily. I am not sure "how much" you can drink daily however. Personally I believe for most fitness purposes, whey may be better however soy has been know to increase metabolic function. Even drinking SKIM MILK is also a great choice and so are EGG WHITES.
After a hard intense workout, the absolute best thing that I can do is immediately following or within 45 minutes slam me down 25-45 grams of whey protein.
Even if you desire to just lose weight or build lean muscle (muscle tone) then a person can still do well by giving their body what it needs following a good weight training workout or cardio session.
I give whey protein FIVE STARS and an extremely high rating in
post workout consumption. Even milk, or egg whites would be good at this
time. Soy protein would be okay but whey potentially ranks almost twice
as high on the biological value scale. Other options are egg whites (1
yellow for every 3 or 4 whites) and even low fat or skim milk but do factor in the
milk sugar. All of these protein sources being in a liquid form, get
absorbed by the body much quicker. There is HUGE benefit to this even if your goals are just to lose weight, burn fat, firm, sculpt and develop muscle tone.
So which carbs are BEST after a workout?
It really depends
on your goals. Maltodextrin really gets your insulin levels cranked up
(Gatorade) and would be ideal for someone looking to gain muscle. If one is looking
to build muscle then complex or simple carbs that are high on the Glycemic
Index Scale would be best. If one is looking to burn fat, the carbs that
are considered medium range would be sufficient. Also factor in "the
time of day" especially for burning fat. If it is later in the day,
consuming even medium range carbs for some people might not be a good idea.
Those in question would probably choose to consume lower glycemic carbs
in the evening even after a workout. MOST people will not fall in this
category and even medium glycemic carbs should be okay. It honestly can
be a test to see how your body reacts.
Other alternatives to post workout protein choices are meat, eggs, milk, cottage cheese, greek yogurt. I would rank eggs (egg whites with probably a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio of whites to egg yolks after a workout.) Milk is a great choice but due to high fat content skim milk would be the best choice after a workout.
Milk, eggs, dairy, and whey protein have a much higher biological value than meats and are much easier for most to digest, mainly because it is more liquefied and makes it a better choice after your workout. Your body needs protein after a good hard intense workout but truthfully it needs it after any workout or exercise.
Post workout protein shakes are a GREAT choice! Whey, egg, a milk based protein powder or soy!
Post Workout Carb Choices (Here are just a few choices or
options) To See the FULL LIST available when you get my book "28 Days to Extreme Fat Loss"
Glycemic Foods from High to Low
Ranking on the Glycemic Index
Maltodextrin or Gatorade
150
Brown Rice Pasta
137
Cheerios
103
Sweet Potato
54-77
Instant Oatmeal (in the tub)
49-66 (probably 49)
Raisins
64
Brown Rice
55
Apples or Pears
36-54
Milk
32-45
BONUS TIP!!! Find More Good Tips and many MORE helpful
tips in my new book
"28 Days to EXtreme Fat Loss"
Sincerely, Kel Silas CFT MHT (LeMoyne Kelvin Love Silas)
Kel Silas