post-workout snacks

I realized it has been a while since I had done a post related to health/fitness, so I want to write about some good snacks to eat post-workout! Depending on the amount of calories burned, different things will be good for your body. Yesterday I taught a Zumba class and had a 2.5 hour dance team practice with a workout - according to My Fitness Pal app, I burned over 1,200 calories! That day I burned a LOT more than a usual workout day, but when I got home, I needed to replenish my muscle tissues and glycogen stores!

Here are a few post-workout snack ideas (note: I'm not a professional; I just enjoy learning tidbits about health from class, magazines, online, etc.) From what I've read and heard, the key is having food that contains carbohydrates and protein.

Water

Water isn't food, but some H2O is especially important after a sweat session to remain hydrated. To me, there's nothing better than an ice-cold glass of water after a long run.

Chocolate Milk

One of the Gold's Gym trainers told me that chocolate milk has the best ratio of carbs to protein to repair your body. If you're working out at a high intensity for 60 minutes or longer, chocolate milk is your friend. AND an excuse to have chocolate!

Whole Grains

My nutrition professor said that if you're going to eat starchy carbs (like whole grain bread or pasta) that the best time to do so is between 45 minutes and two hours post-workout. That is when your body will really take advantage of the nutrients and use it to its benefit. A slice of whole grain toast (my favorite brand is Dave's Killer Bread) with an egg or spread with natural peanut butter is one of my go-to snacks.

Protein Smoothie

Many gyms or smoothie bars often have deceivingly unhealthy smoothies that are loaded with sugar, artificial fruit, and excess protein and carbohydrates. By blending your own at home, you know exactly what you're putting into your body! Check this post for my protein smoothie recipe.

Fruits and vegetables are always another smart choice for low-calorie carbs, and adding hummus or natural peanut butter is a healthy way to make a snack with both carbs and protein. -- And YES, fruits and veggies are carbohydrates too! Carbs ARE good for you! (Well, natural fruits, veggies, and whole grains...)

Eating the right food is crucial after a workout, but more importantly, a healthy lifestyle! Let me know what other healthy snacks you like to eat!

xo-ally

arbonne 7-day body cleanse, days 1 & 2

I am starting my second day of the Arbonne 7-day Body Cleanse. So far, I feel great! What I like about this cleanse is that you still get to eat when you do it. The cleanse will aid to eliminate toxins and detoxify the system. 

Being a college student who just finished up the semester, this is perfect for me right now - the end of the semester involved finals week, barbecues, and graduation parties, which meant more coffee, processed foods, and baked goods than usual. At first I didn't know why I was getting stomach aches, but quickly realized it was what I was putting in my body that made me feel so crappy.

Enter the cleanse!

The box contains 7 mini bottles of the cleanse itself. You pour the liquid into 32 ounces of water and drink it throughout the day. During the day, try to eat as healthy as possible - no processed foods - to help aid the cleanse and clean out your body.

This is the water bottle filled with the cleanse and 32 ounces of water

On day one, I went for a run in the morning. What I ate:

Breakfast: 2 organic eggs with salt and pepper

Lunch: 1/2 a fruit protein smoothie (no milk added)*

Snack: Pulled pork meat, lettuce leaves

Dinner: 1 whole-grain waffle and 1 slice of organic wheat bread with natural peanut butter

Drank the cleanse mixture and water throughout the day (no coffee, woohoo!)

*Only had half of the smoothie because I'm almost out of ingredients! Time to go grocery shopping...

I was going to try to stay away from bread as much as possible, seeing as it is processed, but realized that my calorie count was way too small for the day and I needed to get it up. Before dinner I had only eaten about 500 calories (plus burned some off on a run). I'm hoping just a smidge of whole-grains won't hurt!

Click here if you're interested in trying the cleanse out for yourself! I've had friends that do it and like it (plus my friend's sister works for Arbonne!) So far, I've only heard good things about this product.

Check back early next week for my full review of the cleanse!

xo