First off, the ideal time to eat after a workout is within 30 minutes to two hours, this is when your body is ready and waiting to top off its fuel tanks to prepare for your next workout. Studies have shown that the two hours after exercise are the most critical for post-workout nutrition for muscle growth, repair, and recovery. Do not eat more than you just put out with your exercise. Don’t think you can eat just anything because you worked out.

Get in the habit of carrying your post food with you. There are many simple things that will fit in your gym bag (see some of the ‘Sample Food Combos’ below). Perhaps stop off and get a smoothie, or chocolate milk, and/or energy bar. Energy bars can be especially effective snacks after a workout.

If you’re eating a healthy diet and getting enough calories to support your activity level, you can probably rely on your own appetite, energy levels, and experience to tell you whether you need to eat anything before or after exercise and what it should be. The basic rule here is: Find out what works best for you, and do that.

Rule of Thumb… After you exercise, your body needs to replace the lost glycogen stores (i.e. muscle fuel) for building and repairing muscle. Combining protein and carbohydrates will promote post-workout recovery. Choose wisely, though, or you surely will undo your hard work! And don’t forget to re-hydrate! (see ‘Your Post-Exercise Fluid Needs’ below).

Your Post-Exercise Fluid Needs
Most moderate exercisers will lose about one quart (4 cups) of fluid per hour of exercise, so try to drink about 16-20 ounces of water shortly after your workout to aid the recovery process. If you sweat a lot or the weather is hot and/or humid, consider weighing yourself before and after exercise, and drinking an ounce of water for every ounce of weight you’ve lost. Because heavy sweating also causes loss of minerals and electrolytes, consider using a sports drink with electrolytes if you need to replace more than 2-3 cups of fluid. If you are a post Gatorade drinker, then dilute it with 1/2 water.

Sample Food Combinations for your Post Exercise Meal:

• Dried fruit and nuts
• Low fat or fat free cottage cheese with fruit
• Fruit juice with cheese
• Yogurt with fruit (preferably Activia or the likes of it)
• Chocolate milk (that is high in protein)
• Cereal with milk (shredded wheat)
• Oatmeal with berries
• Eggs and high fiber toast
• Turkey, chicken, or roast beef sandwich
• Crackers with low fat cheese
• Smoothie (with added whey protein powder)
• Energy bar high in protein
• Whole wheat pancakes and eggs
• Peanut butter (organic) & banana on high fiber toast
• Yogurt & berries
• Apple wedges & peanut butter
• Low fat or fat free cheese & whole grain crackers
• Any regular meal that contains lean protein, starch, and vegetables

Don’t worry about undoing the calorie-burning benefits of your workout–that’s not how weight loss works. As long as you’re eating within your recommended calorie range (whether for weight loss or maintenance), you’ll be on your way to reaching your goals.

Carbohydrates. Roughly 60% of the calories you eat at this time should come from carbohydrates. Contrary to popular belief, your body needs more carbohydrates than protein after a workout, to replace the muscle fuel (glycogen) you used up and to prepare for your next exercise session. Moderate exercisers need about 30-40 grams of carbohydrates after an hour of exercise, but high-intensity exercisers need more—around 50-60 grams for each hour they exercised.

If you have some favorite high-carb foods that are lacking in the whole grains and fiber that are often recommended as part of a healthy diet, this is a good time to have them! Your body can digest refined carbohydrates faster during your “refueling window,” but if you’re a whole foods foodie, don’t force yourself to eat processed foods.