Time and time again, we heard our fitness instructors at the gym or on a training video say how important it is to eat a healthy, nutritious meal after every workout. The main purpose is for your body to break down muscle during and after training; your body is entering a state called catabolic. If you don’t replenish your body after each workout, your muscles won’t fully recover and injury can occur if you continue to push your body to the limit without proper post-workout nutrition. To reverse this process and put your body into a state called the anabolic process, eat a protein-rich meal, such as a smoothie or shake, as it is easily digested and promotes an insulin spike that transports vital nutrients to muscle groups. .

After your workout, don’t go and gorge yourself right away, but instead aim for 300-500 calories to help your muscles begin the rebuilding process and to help you have energy to last until your next meal. Your weight should be an important factor in deciding how many calories you need to consume for best results. For example, if you are a man who weighs 200 lbs. or more, he will need to eat about 500 calories and for women, if he weighs 100 lbs. or more, look for 300 calories. With your post-workout meals, depending on the type of training you’re involved in, adjust the ratio of carbohydrates to protein to get the most out of your workouts.

I highly recommend that you invest in some type of fruit and vegetable juicer to get the most nutrients that mother nature has to offer. You can make your own fruit juices, vegetable juices, or if you dare, combine them to make the ultimate V8 juice. When you go this route, you can also add other ingredients like cinnamon, stevia, blue agave, and even whey protein to your drinks. Whey protein goes great with fruit smoothies; I don’t know how good they taste when mixed into a vegetable smoothie. Doesn’t sound appetizing to me.

You should always keep in mind that when you are ready to make your post-workout meals, to burn fat, your meals should be different from breakfast, lunch and dinner. Post-workout meals should have ingredients that include good high carbs and quick, digestible protein to fuel your muscles because your body is primed and ready post-workout to receive these nutrients. Your other meals, to help keep you fuller longer and have energy for your daily activities, should include low- and slow-digesting carbohydrates and protein.

I have provided some powerful methods to help anyone build a strong, muscular body. The benefits of drinking a healthy protein shake or eating a healthy meal are critical to helping your body recover from strenuous exercise, and you’ll be able to see results much sooner.