Forget the Protein Shake—Here's What Sports Dietitians Suggest for a Post-Workout Snack
Dietitians' top post-workout snack features a combo of cottage cheese, almonds and a banana.
This trio provides protein, carbs and electrolytes to help replenish stores, fueling recovery.When it comes to post-workout nutrition, the options can seem endless. Protein shakes often top the list, but they're not the only contender for fueling your recovery. We spoke to sports dietitians, who revealed a top snack pick after a workout, and it's not what you'd expect. 'A protein shake is convenient, but it's not always my first choice after a workout,' shared Johanna Katz, M.S., RDN. Their recommendation? A simple combination of cottage cheese with almonds and a banana.
'It's a satisfying mix of protein, healthy fats and carbs that helps you recover well,' says Katz. Wondering why this specific snack combo should be your go-to? Keep reading to discover why it's a dietitian favorite and how it stands out as the perfect post-workout food.
(based on ½ cup cottage cheese, ½ ounce almonds and 1 banana)., ,
Calories: 298Total fat: 9.5 gramsSaturated fat: 1.4 gramsSodium: 353 mgCarbs: 36 gramsFiber: 3.5 gramsTotal sugars: 25.5 gramsAdded sugars: 0 gramsProtein: 16 grams
What makes this trio such a winning combination? From muscle recovery to sustained energy, here are the key reasons why cottage cheese, almonds and a banana deserve a spot in your gym bag.
After a workout, your body craves a mix of protein to repair muscles and carbs to replenish glycogen stores. 'This [snack] combo packs protein, carbs and electrolytes to refuel, repair and replenish what was lost during activity,' explains Roxana Ehsani, M.S., RD, CSSD, noting that a half-cup of cottage cheese packs 13 grams of protein.
The almonds provide an additional protein boost, while the banana offers natural carbohydrates to refuel your energy.
'Many athletes gravitate towards protein post-workout, but we actually need to refuel with more carbs than protein post-workout, so don't forget the carbs,' Ehsani adds. 'Adding some fresh fruit for carbs helps to replenish your glycogen stores in your muscles so you're ready to push hard at your next workout,' says Marita Radloff, M.S., RDN, LD.
One analysis highlighted how consuming carbohydrates with protein after exercise improves muscle glycogen recovery compared to carbohydrates alone. Researchers reviewed 20 studies, and the results showed that adding protein to a post-exercise snack can aid in glycogen recovery, provided it supplies extra calories rather than replacing carbohydrates.
Sweating it out at the gym means losing valuable electrolytes like potassium and sodium, which are essential for maintaining proper hydration and muscle function. A banana offers potassium, while the sodium in cottage cheese helps replace what's lost during exercise.,
A small study found that including electrolytes, like sodium and potassium, in a diet 30 minutes before and after exhaustive exercise helped the body retain more water, improved exercise ability and improved recovery by lowering lactic acid levels (a marker of fatigue).
The addition of almonds may offer a surprising benefit after a workout. 'A recent study found that almonds may help promote muscle recovery by reducing post-exercise inflammation,' says Eshani.
The study looked at the effects of eating almonds after exercise every day for four weeks among adults who don't regularly do resistance training. Participants performed a 90-minute workout designed to cause muscle damage. Half of the participants ate 57 grams of almonds daily, while the other group ate a calorie-matched cereal bar daily. Results showed that people in the almond group reported feeling less fatigue and tension after the workout compared to the cereal bar group. Almond eaters also had lower levels of a muscle damage marker (creatine kinase) right after the workout and the next day. Almond consumers also experienced increased levels of gut-derived compounds (from digestion) that may play a role in reducing inflammation.
Sometimes, the best snacks are the simplest ones. Cottage cheese paired with almonds and a banana is a convenient option that requires no elaborate preparation and is easy to customize according to your taste. Whether you're eating on the go or winding down from a home workout, this combination is quick to assemble and cost-effective.
Here's why Ehsani's ideal post-workout snack includes carbs, protein, electrolytes and fluids:
Carbs help refuel depleted glycogen stores (energy stores).
Protein helps repair and rebuild any muscle damage that has occurred.
Fluids replenish and rehydrate the body's fluids lost through sweat. You can get fluids from drinks, as well as from foods like many fruits.
Electrolytes are lost through sweat and must be replenished to restore healthy muscle function and support hydration. Many whole foods naturally contain electrolytes, like cottage cheese (sodium, calcium) and bananas (potassium, magnesium), so you don't always need to grab an electrolyte-rich beverage or supplement.
The next time you wrap up a workout, don't feel like it's a protein shake or bust! There are other recovery snacks that are as simple as they are effective, like a simple combination of cottage cheese, almonds and a banana. This dietitian-approved trio isn't just delicious, it's a nutritional powerhouse designed to fuel muscle repair, replenish energy and even support hydration. Packed with high-quality protein, quick-digesting carbs and healthy fats, it's the perfect balance your body craves after exercise.
Plus, it's budget-friendly and satisfying enough to make post-workout recovery something you'll actually look forward to. Because who wants to eat a snack that isn't delish?
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