A rigorous and intense, calorie-burning workout in the gym can do wonders for your physique and mental fitness. But it does not automatically give you a green signal to go to the nearest McDonalds and order yourself a happy meal to celebrate. Eating the wrong foods after a workout is just as bad. Working out will not fix a poor diet.
There are some of the worst foods you can eat after a workout that will simply negate the effects of your exercise. If you value your hard work in the gym or bootcamp class even a little bit, you will never eat these seven worst foods immediately after a workout.
7 Worst foods and drinks to avoid eating after working out
Your body is usually starving after a powerful workout. Don’t get blinded by hunger and choose the wrong foods that could ruin your progress. Steer clear of these seven worst foods that one should never eat after a workout.
1. Sodas
You may be parched after an intense workout session and in desperate need of some type of a drink to quench your thirst. At such times, it could be super tempting to reach out for that can of Coke sitting in your fridge.
But sodas are the worst drinks to consume after a workout. Sodas are never going to quench your thirst. In fact, they will leave you thirstier than before. You will crave for more of it and unnecessarily end up piling on added sugars and calories.
2. Fast food
It’s a no-brainer to avoid fast food, especially after coming out of the gym. You may get allured by the nearest Burger King due to your post-workout hankering for salt but fast food is not the way to replenish it. You will simply be undoing your workout with that jumbo burger and fries.
3. Energy bars
Energy bars may seem healthy from their advertisements or tall marketing claims but they are just as bad as fast food. These so-called ‘high-protein’ energy bars do contain some amount of protein but at a heavy cost.
These candy bars (to address them rightly) are usually loaded with added refined sugars and high fructose corn syrup that are a nightmare for your blood sugar. If you want a boost of energy, turn to whole foods like eggs and not processed and sugary energy bars.
4. Sports drinks
Sports drinks are marketed heavily as being suitable for post-workout gulp. But they cannot be more misleading. Most sports drinks are laced with caffeine, sugary syrup and large amounts of refined sugar that your body doesn’t ever need, let alone after a workout.
They could spike your blood sugar level when it doesn’t need to. Also, if you hit the gym in the evening, the caffeine in these sports drinks could even interfere with your sleep cycle, making your post-workout recovery worse.
5. Raw vegetables
We get that raw vegetables are supposed to be a healthy choice at any given time of the day. It is mostly true but having raw veggies immediately after a workout will not do you any favours.
Your body needs essential macro nutrients after exercising. You will be depriving your body of essential nutrients like high quality carbohydrates and protein if you fill yourself up with raw veggies.
6. Desserts
Whole grains, bread, fruits, cereal, etc are some of the foods that contain simple carbohydrates. Simple carbs get absorbed in your bloodstream pretty quickly, raising your blood sugar and causing an energy crash. This will leave you hungry pretty soon, causing you to eat more and defeating your weight loss goals.
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