what's your fave post-workout snack?!

hi all -

after i run each night i like to use my remaining calories on a nutritious snack. lately i've been having either a kashi bar (or clif, something similar), or 1/4 cup of trail mix with almonds, cashews, peanuts & toffee (from Trader Joes, SO yummy). sometimes i have a banana (kinda boring).. basically my options are getting old fast - what fun stuff do you guys eat after a workout??

c'man people it's an easy question! i need some ideaaassss

My personal favorite is either Greek yogurt or cottage cheese with any of the following mix-ins: crumbled Lara or Clif bar, almonds/walnuts, dried cherries/raisins, peanut butter, banana, chopped apple, agave nectar, granola.

I also occasionally have a peanut butter sandwich, or some raw veggies and an apple with hummus and PB.

Some of my favorites:

• Wheat Thins with a serving of cheese
• A cup of milk/soymilk with a piece of fruit
• A piece of whole wheat bread with peanut butter
• An apple with peanut butter

great suggestions! i need to get more adventurous with my greek yogurt... i like the idea of mixing in some pb & nuts.. might test that out tonight. thank you!!

I like a handful of unsalted soy nuts and a juicy piece of fruit (right now, it's cantaloupe).  I typically work out a few hours before dinner, though, so I only need something small to hold me over (sometimes I don't need anything at all and eat an early dinner right after I shower). 

oatmeal with almonds or PB mixed in

greek yogurt with granola or cereal

banana w/ PB on it

I like to have a whey protein shake with a half of a banana and some almond butter....yummmmmm....

It differs. Today Filet Mignon 4oz sliced over raw spinach, salsa, low carb/whole wheat tortilla strips, green, red peppers, vidallia onion strips............one banana for dessert.

I love hummus and carrot sticks!

so i had a tbsp of peanut butter on a whole wheat english muffin. SO GOOD. the pb got all melty & wonderful. perfection.

I eat a banana with a bit of peanut butter. Yum!

Well in all honesty, it should be more along the lines of a meal instead of a snack. Having a small snack, isn't going to give you enough of what you need after a workout. They say that within 30-60 minutes of finishing an intense weight training session or HIIT cardio, you are supposed to get 40-50 grams of protein and another 50-60 grams of carbs (preferably simple carbs for faster absorbtion). Also, the last thing you want to have after a workout is anything with fat in it, including peanut butter. Usually peanut butter is a great source for healthy fats and I eat it myself. However, fat slows digestion and you want the protein and carbs to reach your muscles as soon as possible. That is why I don't have any fat until my third meal after a workout.

I usually have a post workout shake within 30 minutes of finishing my weight training sessions that has 50 grams of protein and 50-60 grams of carbs. Then within two hours after consuming the shake, I have an actual meal with more of the same. Your body is most is need of nutrition to begin recovery in that window.

So many peanut butter lovers... I hate the stuff! Vyperman - 50 g is a heck of a lot of protein for a smaller person to eat in one go, especially if you are aiming for a deficit.

Current fave post-workout snacks/light meals:

- omelette (1 whole egg, 3 whites) with cherry tomatoes and basil

- frozen banana sliced into plain yoghurt

- poached egg on toast

- quick marinated tofu stir-fry with veges

- 14 almonds (98 cals) and a piece of fruit

- plain yoghurt topped with muesli

Original Post by vyperman7:

Well in all honesty, it should be more along the lines of a meal instead of a snack. Having a small snack, isn't going to give you enough of what you need after a workout. They say that within 30-60 minutes of finishing an intense weight training session or HIIT cardio, you are supposed to get 40-50 grams of protein and another 50-60 grams of carbs (preferably simple carbs for faster absorbtion). Also, the last thing you want to have after a workout is anything with fat in it, including peanut butter. Usually peanut butter is a great source for healthy fats and I eat it myself. However, fat slows digestion and you want the protein and carbs to reach your muscles as soon as possible. That is why I don't have any fat until my third meal after a workout.

I usually have a post workout shake within 30 minutes of finishing my weight training sessions that has 50 grams of protein and 50-60 grams of carbs. Then within two hours after consuming the shake, I have an actual meal with more of the same. Your body is most is need of nutrition to begin recovery in that window.

 ... GREAT ANSWER!

After a workout which includes ~1-hour of resitance trianing and ~45-Minutes of LIT, I wait approx. 30 minutes and have a whey/dextrose/creatine shake in water... a fast digesting protein and simple carb when the muscles need it most!!.  Then, an hour later I will have a solid meal with the typical (for me) calories coming from 50% Carb - 30% Protein - 20% Fat... +/-. 

vyperman, I never knew that thanks for the advice. I should stop eating peanutbutter toast after I work out.

my favorite post workout snack is a protein shake of some sort. Usually its whey protein mixed with chocolate milk (ovaltine, not syrup). I really hate the taste of my whey powder so I have to mix it with something to make it taste good.

I also enjoy wraps made with morningstar "chicken" tenders and veggies on a whole wheat tortilla. Or this pilaf I made with brown rice, barley, black beans and pinto beans and onions and plenty of seasoning.

IMHO, I would suggest mixing the whey protein with water instead of milk.

Reason is that you want quick uptake of the whey... which is why you use whey instead of, lets say casein protein, after working out.  The milk will tend to decrease the speed of digestion of the whey protein.

If you don't like the taste, try a whey protein that is flavored... can't go wrong with chocolate!  I use Optimum Nutrition brand 100% Natural, in chocolate, of course.  You may want to give it a try!!   

blech. I have chocolate. Its all thick and goopy and icky. I got EAS Myoplex. I guess I'll just have to choke it down.

Maybe the brand you suggested will taste better. But first I have to finish the EAS because it was expensive.