You’re committed to exercise and you feel great when you are done with a strenuous workout. You know that you also need to focus on eating the right foods, particularly after a workout, but you are starving when you’re done working hard. It’s a cycle that so many of us fall into, for we will eat nearly anything we find after we work hard at the gym. If you try to focus on a plant based diet then it can really serve you well, particularly if you are trying to eat right after working out. Though you need to put in some planning, there are some great foods to eat after exercise that also happen to be plant based and therefore healthy for you in every way.
You may be somebody that keeps a plant based diet all the time, or you may just be looking for healthy snack ideas. It doesn’t matter what your rationale is, but eating a plant based diet even a bulk of the time can help you to take in key nutrients. Not only that, but it can also ensure that you focus on healthy foods that are not processed and that come to you straight from the earth. Making this transition may be easier than you think, for it’s just a matter of cutting out the foods working against you and eating wholesome and nutritious foods instead.
If you are new to a plant based diet or you just need some idea starters for the best foods to eat after exercise, then here are a couple of good starters. They can help you to refuel, give your body what it needs after working hard, help you feel satisfied and strong as you move throughout your day and allow the body to repair itself properly. Here are some good ideas that are plant based, super healthy, and also super delicious!
Hummus with Whole Grain Crackers
Hummus is made from just a few ingredients focused primarily around chickpeas. They are high in fiber, low in calories and fat, and when made naturally hummus also features lemon juice and simple seasonings. Combining them with true whole grain crackers gives you an extra fiber serving and you are taking in some good protein. You will get what you need to help your body post workout, you will feel full for longer, and you will really enjoy eating in this way for it’s healthy and tastes so good too!
Smoothies
These are at the top of the list in terms of plant based foods to eat after exercise. You can mix up a smoothie before hand to enjoy after or just make it right afterwards. You get to be in control of what you add in there but you want a good offering of fruits and vegetables, and then a splash of protein. Good ideas include spinach, kale, carrots, oranges, apples, bananas, berries, mango, chia seeds, flax seeds, and peanut butter. You can experiment to find smoothies that you love, and continue to expand your offerings. These feature natural and fresh ingredients in a really substantial drink that you can enjoy on the go.
Oatmeal with Fresh Fruit
You already know that fresh fruit is good for you, but adding the protein and fiber of a good steel cut oatmeal makes it that much better. Steel cut oats are the best for they are natural and don’t have any filler, plus they are higher in fiber. Make your steel cut oats ahead of time and then mix with fresh berries, bananas, or even peaches for a healthy and wonderful post workout snack.
Apples with Almond Butter
It’s simple but so substantial and you can eat it anywhere! Slice up apples and then serve up with almond butter for a unique and healthy twist. You will find that some of the best foods to eat after exercise take traditional snacks and add a healthy twist for a new sensation that will refuel you and keep you going strong well after that workout is done!