DESCRIPTION: Discover the best list of foods to eat and avoid after taking cardio exercise here at Freshkala Grocery, Los Angeles.
Best Foods to Eat and Avoid After Carrying out Cardio Exercise
Cardio workouts are often considered intense, given their propensity to consume lots of energy. The perfect epitome of cardio exercise includes running, attending aerobic classes, as well as elliptical sessions. It is pretty accurate to state that most trainers end up really famished and, even in the process, become indecisive about what meals to consume in order to refuel. Entangled in such predicaments, most people end up being rapacious in their feeding in a bid to replenish the strength lost from the exercises. This has been a struggle considering the what to eat question is highly contingent on the type of cardio completed, the amount of time spent and intensity of the session, as well as what you ate previously before engaging in the cardio exercise, something not so many people are conversant with.
Here is a perfect list of foods to consume as well as which ones to avoid after a cardio exercise by Freshkala Grocery
The 3 Best Foods to Eat After Carrying out Cardio Exercise
- Lean Protein Foods
Foods rich in protein are often considered the best, especially when it comes to muscle healings. After cardio workouts, it is advisable to consume protein of about 7 to 10 grams to assist in tissue repair and muscle growth. Protein foods also help in quick recuperation thereby, enhancing one’s energy performances in the next workout sessions. For instance, one is required to prepare oatmeal with a cup of low-fat milk, or instead take half a cup of cooked lentils together with whole-grain crackers.
Additionally, one can also consume high-quality protein shakes or a substitute for chocolate milk. The protein shakes here are considered quite convenient, as they are easy to make and, therefore, at your disposal after the workout sessions. Also, the high-quality protein shake is always a preferable choice, as they appear to be quite rich in amino acids leucine, which is very important in promoting muscle growth. Other sources of protein foodstuff include low-fat, lean meat, fish, quinoa, and eggs.
- Carbs foods
Carbohydrates foods often referred to as cards, are a good fuel source for your body and muscles. This type of food is usually best preferred after taking lengthy session cardio exercises. Such exercises include ones like preparing for racing competition and sprinting. These cardio workouts can also be termed as anaerobic exercises due to their tendency of being quite intense.
Moreover, it is crucial to note that these foods are not often the healthiest to choose from, but with high-glycemic carbs sources like bagel or white English muffin, your energy lost from the muscles is restored quite fast.
Besides, one can also consume whole-grain foods, which include oatmeal or whole-grain bread. However, these foods have a low restoration power but contain high contents of nutrients and blood sugar levels that are well stabilized.
- Fresh fruit foods
Fresh fruits are considered the best because of their nature of containing high amounts of nutrients and fluids to prevent dehydration. For instance, the fruits considered highly rich in water are apples, cherries, strawberries, watermelons, citrus fruits, and apricots. These fruits are quite known for their provision of natural sugars. Fruits such as banana, apricots, and cantaloupes help boost one’s level of potassium that were lost during the exercise.
5 Foods You Should Avoid Eating After Cardio Workouts
With the main goal being the one to repair and replenish your body from the supposed muscle tear and energy loss, it is quite important to watch what to eat and what not to. It is highly advisable to be aware of the foods to avoid after aerobic exercises.
Here is a compilation of foods to avoid after cardio exercises:
- Processed Energy Bars
- Low-Carb Meals
- Sports Drinks
- Salty Processed Foods
- Fried Foods
- Processed Energy Bars
Energy bars are a perfect example of ultra-processed, that often contain a long list of ingredients. In this case, it is not wise to feed the body ingredients that it will not recognize. Therefore, avoiding snack bars containing artificial inducements like aspartame, sugars that have been refined, or in other cases, contain high levels of natural sugars. Instead, most gym instructors and trainers recommend eating bananas or berries, as well as nuts, as the best substitute for snack bars.
- Low-Carb Meals
Carbohydrates are considered highly vital in post-work-out recoveries and nourishment of the body. This is just as important in one’s diet as consumption of proteins. It is the foods rich in carbs that help in the restoration of glucose lost from the body during the workout cardio sessions. Carbs can be provided by consuming fruits like bananas, blueberries, strawberries, as well as kiwi. Other carbohydrates-providing meals include ones like whole grains, vegetables, and legumes.
- Sports Drinks
Most individuals are misled concerning the consumption of sports drinks to help replenish their energy lost during workouts. It is wrong to have this presumed perception about soft drinks. Ideally, it is only recommendable for professional athletes to consume these soft drinks. In case of need to replenish, one is advised to go for filtered water, raw coconut water, or even other protein smoothies because they lack syrup ingredients or zap energy, capable of spiking the blood sugar.
- Salty Processed Foods
After cardio exercises, one tends to lose water as well as potassium through sweating. This, therefore, propels the urge to crave salty foods. However, fitness instructors happen to discourage you from directly consuming the crisps and candies but instead recommend you to a better option of replenishing the lost potassium levels by consuming bananas.
- Fried Foods
Deep-fried foods are the obvious set of foods to avoid. This is because they contain lots of harmful trans-fats but trifling amounts of health benefits. Most health coaches recommend we always consume meals containing higher levels of micronutrients and nourishing ingredients, capable of fueling and taking care of your body. Additionally, you can opt for baked or steamed proteins like fish, chicken with complex carbs like boiled rice, baked sweet potato, and grilled vegetables.
Conclusion
When taking exercises, there are lots of foods that one can consume and avoid. The only question that matters is what type of food, quantity, and consumption. Therefore, the above compilation of foods to consume and avoid after a cardio exercise can save you from such a brainstorming predicament.