While there is a great deal of effort that goes into planning a workout, very little thought is given to the aftermath. Turns out, it’s just as if not more important than the workout itself. As such, it is imperative that some thought be given to the hour or so following a sweat sesh. 

Cardio and other forms of high-intensity exercise deplete glycogen stores in the body and do so quickly. This is especially important for diabetics who can develop severe hypoglycemia, and suffer from low blood sugar. In extreme or prolonged cases, your muscles can be partially depleted of glycogen and subsequently result in the breakdown of protein. To mitigate this from occurring, it is important to eat a balanced blend of carbs, protein and fat post-workout. Yes, that’s right - fat. 

Eating the right nutrients and doing so, in a timely fashion both restores and supports the body as it tries to rebuild its glycogen stores and replenish itself. It also supports and stimulates muscle growth which subsequently help with weight loss - the more muscle you have, the larger your resting energy expenditure. 

Put differently, by having a hearty post-workout snack you’re actually boosting your metabolism, and taking a step in the right direction - be it for weight loss or muscle growth. 

Metabolic-Friendly Snacks: 

Carbohydrates:

• Fruits (i.e banana, kiwis, berries)
• Sweet potato
• Rice cakes
• Pasta 
• Whole grains

Proteins:

• Eggs
• Cottage cheese
• Nutri-bars
• Plain Yogurts
• Almonds
• Jerky

 Metabolic-Friendly Meals: 

Similar to a fistikli kebab, the lamb pistachio patty has got it all - carbs, protein and fat. Sure, it’s a two-parter, but it 's far from long.

• Walnut, Blue Cheese & Beetroot Puff Pastry Tart
  Delicious irrespective of the hour. Be it right after an early morning workout or one late at night, it’s one to bookmark. 

• Vegan Potato Salad with Creamy Cashew Dressing

For our meat and dairy-free work-out buddies: give this salad a go.

 If your interested to learn more ways you can elevate your snacking game, check out this article.