After the long, hard process of gearing yourself up to work out, you’ve gotten through to the other side. You worked out. You sweated hard. You made it. You are the epitome of health, but also, all kinds of hungry and suddenly, everywhere you turn, there’s another fast food restaurant offering all the goods, and you have no post-workout snacks to hand.
The temptation to devour a 20 nugget share box is next level. Chicken is healthy – protein, right? If only.
To combat this, here are 10 portable post-workout snacks to fuel those muscles, get your blood sugar levels back to normal and prevent hunger-fuelled rampages.
1. Trail Mix
OK, this is a similar concept to pick and mix at the movies, minus the sugar spike. There’s no point having worked yourself to the core to fill up on food that won’t make that training worth it. There are heaps of pre-packaged trail mixes, but the best ones are homemade. Grab some nuts, seeds, dried fruit, raisins, banana chips, and then, the fun part – chocolate chips (any excuse for a glucose spike after a workout). It is important to note, however, that the ratio shouldn’t be 90% chocolate chips.
2. Protein Shakes
Seeing as the trail mix requires a bit of effort, we’ll keep this next one super simple, and nothing beats a classic protein shake. Protein shakes offer people an easy, convenient way to up their protein intake without consuming extra carbohydrates and fat. Proteins are the body’s bricks and mortar for rebuilding muscle, and are a proven way to optimise muscle growth after your workout.
3. Rice Cakes & Nut Butter
Peanut Butter. Almond Butter. Cashew Butter. Our interest is peaked. Rice cakes, despite resembling puffed cardboard, improve tenfold when you add any kind of nut butter. And yes, they are sold in 1kg tubs, because peanut butter is the glue that holds this world together and no amount is too large. Plus, nut butter is brimming with protein, fibre and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
4. Boiled Eggs
Fancy fuelling those muscles whilst simultaneously upsetting members of the public? Boiled eggs are your answer, ladies and gents. The perfect protein and healthy fat source, to fuel your muscles with all the goodness they need. Also, the perfect way to get some personal space by upsetting everyone’s nostrils and making them leave the area.
5. String Cheese
Relive your childhood whilst making big strength gains with a trio of fat, protein, and flashbacks. Although, if anyone reading this bites into string cheese without peeling it, just know, the rest of us will unite and take legal action because that is not OK. These are super easy to eat on the go, but it may be worth investing in a little cool box for this suggestion.
6. Protein Bars
Or protein cookie, or protein brownie, and probably the most fun on the list! Us on-the-go fitness people should probably have a version of these within a meter radius at all times, but especially one in the gym bag. They’re a must-have, go-to snack that tastes like guilt-free happiness, and provides your muscles with everything they need to grow.
Some of our personal favourites: