Exercise is a part of a well-rounded lifestyle. No matter what type of activity you participate in, it is important to nourish your body with the right foods before and after you exercise. If you participate in sports, eating the right snacks after the big game can make all the difference to your body.During any sporting event, whether intramural, backyard, or a school team, the muscles take a good beating. You feel good afterwards but that doesn’t mean that your body isn’t in need of some serious refueling. The body burns a lot of calories with each minute of play.
Consider your sweat. It is sticky and stinky at times but it is the body’s way of cooling off. You lose vitamins and electrolytes through your sweat. Those nutrients need to be put back so the body can recover sufficiently. Recovery involves building stronger muscle fibers and restoring the chemical balance inside your body.
What you eat after a workout is just as important as what you eat before. Eating before consists of foods that will help you sustain a certain energy level during the game. That is mostly complex carbohydrates. After a game, your body is in repair mode and needs foods that will feed the effort. Here are five great ideas for healthy sport snacks:
1. Water – this doesn’t seem like much of a snack but water is essential for the body to function properly. After a game, the body can be dehydrated depending on how much you sweat. Sport drinks contain electrolytes but also a lot of unneeded sugar. Water is the pure way to get the body going and cooled off after so much activity. Adding a sugar-free flavor packet to the water is okay too.
2. Protein – have a piece of turkey breast on lettuce as a wrap or on a slice of whole grain bread. Protein is needed to repair the muscle and build it up again. The protein source doesn’t need to be fatty or full of salt since your body is already in need of fluids.
3. Certain fruits – avoid fruits with a lot of natural sugars. Instead, try a banana. It is not especially sweet and it is full of potassium and carbohydrates. You dined on carbs before the game but after you need to replenish your fuel source. Foods that have a high carb count will supply the right type of energy to sustain you after a game.
4. Trail mix – a good mix of nuts, legumes and pretzels will add energy to your body. You’ve just had fun and played hard so the body needs good things put back in. Nuts provide protein and healthy fats. Pretzels and legumes provide good carbs to keep you moving and not shaky after a sporting event.
5. Yogurt – dairy provides protein and other vitamins the body needs, including calcium. A cup of non-fat or low fat yogurt gives your system a boost.
Replenishing is just as important as fueling up. Eat these and other healthy snacks after the big game.
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