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...the missing link between a FLAT belly and a FAT BELLY lies in what you do POST-WORKOUT!
By Kevin DiDonato MS, CES--Level 1 Precision Nutrition and Certified Personal Trainer
You know what I love?
A nice, juicy steak for dinner! With a sweet potato and some steamed veggies on the side.
There’s nothing better than biting into a steak and then sitting back and enjoying the taste and flavor.
But that’s not the only reason why I LOVE steak! I love steak for the protein!
You see, since I work out lifting heavy weights (yeah brah!) I know that I need the protein to give me the building blocks I need to build muscle.
That;s what we all want right? Since lean muscle is what gives you the sleek, tone body or the ripping pecs and rock-solid abs.
This is why I try to reach my recommended intake of protein each day – especially after a workout!
Give me a minute to explain…
Post-Workout Protein Intake
You may – or may not have heard – but there is a specific time after a workout where you need to replenish your body.
It’s called the anabolic window! This is the time – roughly 45 minute to an hour post-workout – when your body is very sensitive to insulin.
During this time, getting in the necessary nutrients – like a good mix of protein and carbs – will help replenish your cells and provide the amino acids your muscles need for growth and repair.
And insulin is crucial during this time! It helps to shuttle the nutrients into your muscles, therefore giving flooding them with all the nutrition they need for growth and repair.
But most people ignore this window or don’t eat right to maximize their gains.
In fact, most people have NO IDEA what they should be eating directly after a workout to get a lean and tone body.
Well, that’s where we come in! Here’s a list of the top THREE foods you should be eating immediately after a workout:
1. Chocolate Milk
When you need a quick post-workout drink then look no further than chocolate milk.
Chocolate milk – or really any flavored milk – may contain the right mix of carbs to protein that your body needs for both replenishment of lost nutrients but for repair of muscle tissue.
Chocolate milk contains a 4:1 ratio of carbs to protein, making it idea as a post-workout meal.
2. Whey Protein Powder
There are two different types of protein to consider when choosing the best post-workout shake.
They are casein and whey! Both are effective means of getting protein, however, one may be better than the other!
You see, casein is a slowly digested protein, meaning it takes a lot longer to get all the amino acids into your system.
On the other hand, whey protein is fast acting and gets into your bloodstream at a much faster rate!
And this is what you need – a fast acting protein powder that shuttles the necessary proteins into your body.
Combine two scoops of tasty whey protein powder to one to two cups of coconut milk, add a banana, and blend, and you got yourself a fast acting protein shake perfect for your post-workout window!
3. Kefir
Kefir is best known for its potential to improve gut health.
However, it could make for a pretty darn good post-workout drink as well!
You see, kefir contains the proteins, vitamins, and minerals that your body needs – especially after a workout.
One serving of kefir may give you 11 to 14 grams of protein plus other vitamins, such as vitamin D and calcium.
Maximize Your Gain Using the Anabolic Window
In case you haven’t heard, there’s an optimal time to eat after a workout.
It happens to be the first 45 minutes to an hour after! This is the time when your body is primed to deliver the nutrients to your body for growth and repair!
This is also the optimal time to increase your protein intake to repair and grow your muscles.
Now, there’s a lot of protein sources out there…
…but these three top the list for foods you should be eating immediately after your workout!
If you want to build muscle…torch belly fat…and spike your metabolism, then you should consider these three foods after your next workout.
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