Thinking about what to eat after a workout may not seem like that big of a deal, but how you nourish yourself post-exercise is actually a really important part of recovery. Whether you’ve just finished a strength training workout, a pilates class, or your regular daily walk, replenishing your energy, fluids, and nutrients is essential.
But what exactly should we be eating and when? Below, experts break down which types of foods are best to eat after a workout—and which ones we should think twice about. Read on to find out everything you need to know about what to eat after exercising to support muscle recovery and improve your results.
Why it’s important to eat after a workout
Eating after a workout comes with a ton of benefits. Perri Halperin, MS, RD, CDN, clinical nutrition coordinator at the Mount Sinai Health System, explains that exercising diminishes your glycogen (the stored form of glucose used by the whole body for energy), tears muscle tissue, and depletes electrolytes. She says that eating the right foods will not only replenish your energy and restore its nutrients, but also help repair muscle, increase protein synthesis, and hydrate your body.
