I've been wondering this for a while now. I don't think I do very well when it comes to eating after working out and eating good. It usually takes me an hour or two to eat after a workout and I had heard it is good to eat right after working out. Is that true? If so, why is that? Also what are the best nutrients to put in your body after a workout?

Hi Danny,

Let me try and answer your question about what you should eat after working out.

The the meal you eat after a workout is probably the most important meal of the day for anyone who is into nutrition and fitness.

Your post workout meal needs to contain 2 things, and it needs to not contain 1. You should be eating protein and carbs. You should not be eating fat. Fat is not a bad thing when it is the good fat, but there are better times to eat that good fat than others. After working out is one of the times you should avoid eating fat. Fat slows down digestion. If you were to eat fat after a workout, it would be slowing down the digestion of protein and carbs. This is the exact opposite of what you want to happen.

You should eat as soon as you can after working out. There is a certain period of time that exists after your workout in which would most beneficial for your body to receive it's post workout nutrition. Within 1 hour of your workout would be best. If possible, within 30 minutes would be even better.

Also during the time right after your workout, your body is in the fat burning zone. There is 30-45 minute window after a vigorous workout that your metabolism is super-charged... take advantage... it is good to eat then because usually you are not as hungry as if you wait and let your body cool down, so you won't eat as much. Less food, more calories being burned... that's a good combination!!!

After a workout, protein is good to consume. It is cell building material which is essential to include with some carbs to replenish energy.

I read this bit of info ... what do you all think????

Yeah, I think eating anything healthy after working out helps your muscles recover a lot more if you were to just sip on a sports drink.