Your meals are what help your body power through your fitness routine with ease. However, most people tend not to take this seriously. They fill their bodies with junk food, and somehow still expect to perform at their optimum level. That’s a pipe dream. Your body cant give what it doesn’t have!
The right foods help you build muscle faster, enhance your endurance levels, and accelerate your post-workout recovery. The need to eat meals that speed up your post-workout recovery can’t be overemphasized. Doing so allows you to restore energy, heal the micro-tears and any other damage induced by your workout, and lastly, build up muscle quality and size.
Here are six foods that will give your fitness levels the support it needs.
#1. Eggs
Eggs are a great source of protein, amino acids, zinc, iron, and vitamins A, B, D, and E. They are vital for muscle regeneration, and also support bone strength. The yolk is rich in healthy fats and minerals. All these combine to support performance and recovery during your routines.
#2. Beef
Red meat is an excellent source if you need exceptional quality protein. It contains iron and zinc. These two minerals are essential for various reasons. An adequate dose of iron is necessary to prevent anemia. Zinc also helps with recovery from injuries that happen during your training routines.
Lean grass-fed beef is usually advisable for athletes and anyone in general. You can check out the store here to purchase ethically produced red meat.
#3. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is pure and raw carbohydrates. And these are essential foods your muscles need as fuel during a workout or dance routine. They provide you with continuous energy for a while, allowing you to blow through the workout sessions and endure for longer hours.
They also replace your drained glycogen reserves. This would be one of the must-have foods if you were considering dropping any off this list.
#4. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is probably not as tasty as the other chocolate variants, but it more than makes up for its lack of taste. Dark chocolate is loaded with flavonols. Flavonols help improve blood flow to your muscles. Improved blood flow means your muscles are well oxygenated, enhancing your endurance and stamina levels.
Studies have also shown that taking dark chocolate can help reduce oxidative stress after an exhausting exercise session. Oxidative stress is a significant factor behind muscle soreness.
#5. Tomatoes
Tomatoes and tomato juice are nutritional silver bullets. They are rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants such as Lycopene. Lycopene is one of the most potent antioxidants and is excellent for your cardiovascular health. Intense workouts increase your levels of oxidative stress and other potentially harmful chemicals that can cause damage to your cells and muscle tissue.
Antioxidants such as Lycopene reduce these damaging chemical reactions in your body significantly. The reduction helps you recover faster, and also enhance your overall endurance and fitness levels.
#6. Quinoa
Quinoa is an ancient food. Cultivated by the Incas, they fed it to their warriors for energy during a war. Quinoa is a superfood; it is one of the best plant sources for protein and loaded with healthy carbohydrates. These two macronutrients are vital for your post-workout recovery.
It also contains Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, iron, copper, and a host of other minerals and vitamins. It’s a wholesome combination of macronutrients, trace nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Quinoa is a must-have fitness food.
The Bottomline
The list above is not exhaustive. However, these six meals are a great start if you are looking to see results from your diet instantly. Include them in your daily menu and watch your fitness levels go through the roof.
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