Good Eats: The Healthiest Post-Workout Snacks

Healthy post-workout snacks are definitely a topic we’ve covered here on the site before (take a peek here and here). But it’s also one that’s worth discussing several times. After all, what you put into your body is one of the most important things to focus on for lifelong health. And, with diet and health trends changing by the minute, we like to keep up to date on our info (who doesn’t?!).

So, I recently spoke to our friend and nutritionist Kelly LeVeque about this matter, and she had some pretty great insight, as always. Here are five satisfying snacks you can eat after your workout to fuel your body, curb unhealthy cravings and keep you feeling your best…

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

If you like Kelly’s #bewellsmoothie, you’re going to love this! Mix a little chocolate protein powder with unsweetened almond milk, MCT and chia seeds, head off to your workout and get home to a sweet protein, omega 3 and fiber packed snack. “Chia seed pudding is a great snack for curbing my sweet tooth, and I tell my clients that’s it’s pretty satisfying, so a little goes a long way.”

Salmon Salad and Cucumbers

After a HIIT workout or a weight lifting session, salmon provides omega-3 fatty acids that fight inflammation and amino acids to help repair and rebuild the muscles you broke down in the gym. “Cucumbers are a cracker replacement full of water and fiber to help you rehydrate and fill up until your next meal,” says Kelly. Whip up this snack with olive oil, or, if you are looking for my go-to mayo, check out Primal Kitchen Paleo Mayo made with avocado oil.

Cold Pressed Juice

This one of Kelly’s favorite post-cardio treats… You just exhausted your muscles of stored glycogen and made room for new fuel. Your muscles are very insulin sensitive and ready to suck up sugars present in your blood. Juice can spike blood sugar quickly, so with empty muscles and strong insulin sensitivity, you can enjoy a punch of vitamins in a cold pressed juice but with sugar control.

Apples (or Celery) and Nut Butter

“I like saving the majority of my fruit consumption of the day for after I workout, and since apples and almond butter are one of my all time favorite snacks in general, it tends to be a go-to after weights, cardio or any workout class,” says Kelly. This snack serves up a dose of protein and fat on a carbohydrate- and fiber-dense apple slice. You’re getting all your macros in one bite and it satisfies everything sweet, salty, crunchy and smooth. Deciding on the nut butter vehicle depends on your goals (Kelly’s recommendation is almond butter). And celery is also a great option instead of apples if you want to switch things up.

Stuffed Avocados

For a snack that satisfies your salty cravings, Kelly recommends an avocado crusted with hemp hearts and drizzled with MCT Oil and pink Himalayan salt (yum). A few other favorites include baking an egg in your avocado, or adding a fresh scoop of tuna salad, hummus, salsa or bruschetta. Season with pink Himalayan salt—it’s rich with 84 minerals including calcium, potassium, iron and magnesium—to give your cells the minerals they need to stay hydrated and balanced. No post-workout muscle cramps here!

I don’t know about you but I’m hungry just reading those delicious options. Not to mention, pretty excited that I’ll be able to give my body the correct fuel next time I leave the gym!

What health or fitness topic would you like to us cover next here on the site?

Let us know in the comments below! And thanks again to the amazing Kelly LeVeque for her interesting tips.

xx
Allison
Team LC