After you are finished lifting weights your muscles are craving for carbohydrates. As I have mentioned in earlier posts, this is because your glycogen levels (sugar) are low. Glycogen stores are like your fuel tanks and to perform at your best you always need to have them topped off. One of my favorite parts of my workout is actually my post workout shake. I like this because it is one of the few times when it is GOOD to eat/drink a sugary snack! Nutritionists say that after your anaerobic workout you have about a 15-30 minute window of opportunity to feed your muscles.
Post workout, our bodies are in a hypoglycemic state or low blood sugar. Insulin is low and natural Growth Hormone levels struggle to increase as they are trying to rebound from the intense workout.
Simple carbs like fruits and other natural sugars will give an immediate increase to blood glucose levels and cause a state of hyperglycemia. Insulin will be forced to increase! I used to drink a Grapico after every workout, but now prefer fruit and honey-- a more natural sugar source.
This high increase in blood sugar will begin causing further secretions of Growth Hormone, one of the key hormones responsible for muscle growth. Also, the faster you can get glucose into your bloodstream and muscles, the less protein destroyed and the more glycogen stored. The more protein your body keeps the faster your muscles can recover and GROW!!
I like a protein shake blended with orange juice, milk, strawberries and honey! (Sometimes even peanut butter).
--I'm out
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