I am a runner so I try to eat clean and fuel my body with muscle building as well
as recovery foods.
I wonder though where this leaves the questions
of recovery food (banana being the current article for her) and hydration.
My
favorite recovery food is a homemade soup made with loads of veggies and homemade chicken broth; store bought broth is okay, too.
In other words, the best
post recovery food would be simple carbohydrates such as fruits, like a couple of bananas or some dates.
They read ads for
commercial recovery foods that demand a 3 - to - 1 ratio of carbs to protein, tout the benefits of a proprietary formula, or emphasize immediate consumption the minute you stop exercising.
While these ads offer an element of truth, consumers beware:
engineered recovery foods are not more effective than standard foods.
Sports dietitians recommend yoghurt as the
perfect recovery food for athletes as it is easy to consume and contains carbohydrates, which promote glycogen replenishment, and protein, which aids muscle recovery.
She is co-editor of the NSCA's Guide to Exercise and Sport Nutrition and author of hundreds of magazine and trade publication articles on a variety of topics ranging from novel food ingredients to optimal sports
performance recovery foods.
I needed
some recovery foods after the 10 miler and this was perfect.
I enjoyed them after my workouts as one of
my recovery food item.
@Jonas: I don't have any experience with raw egg whites as
a recovery food, but it sounds reasonable to me if that's what you like!
No «perfect»
recovery food is perfect if you don't have it available when you need it, or don't like it enough to take it in sufficient quantities.
I'd personally stay away from banana except as
a recovery food from a session with an anaerobic component.
Or like Paul, who is on another marathon build and often gets home from a crazy long run starving and needing
some recovery food.
When you're opting for
recovery foods, you'll probably be craving things like carbs, fried food, etc., but please, avoid those and instead opt for foods that will love your liver back.
Recovery foods and beverages containing plentiful amounts of sodium include mixed nuts, baked potato chips, pretzels, pickles and crackers.