Cutting calories is part of losing weight, but it’s important to know which calories to cut, and from where. Eating the right post workout foods makes a big difference in how your body processes and burns calories.

Immediately after you finish working out, your body is starved for the protein it needs to build muscle. This is a great time to have a high protein snack, but most people can’t handle sitting down to eat a steak right after a workout. Instead, have something like a glass of milk, soymilk, or a protein shake. These liquids are packed with protein and get into your body fast.

During your workout, your body is using up it’s stores of glycogen. Glycogen is a form of sugar in the body, and a good post workout food will also replace lost sugars in your body. Even if your cutting down on carbohydrates, this is the time of day you should eat them. After a workout your body will quickly process and use whatever you put in it. Of course this isn’t time for a slice of pizza, it’s still important to eat high quality foods. Post workout foods need to contain good carbs like whole wheat, oats, brown rice or fruits and vegetables.

So what food combinations best suit your post workout food needs? Try something high in protein with a carbohydrate kick!

• Protein shake with bannana
• Whole wheat pita and hummus
• Peanut butter on brown rice cakes
• Tuna on whole wheat bread
• Yogurt and fruit
• Cheese and fruit

The right post workout meal means you’ll eat right and lose weight too!