10 Post-Workout Snack Recipes
While working out can be fun and all, let’s face it, you’re starving afterwards. Half the time I work out just for the snack I can make afterwards, or at least I think about the snack the entire workout. Some people are in time crunches, like myself, and often have class or work after their quick sweat session and don’t have time to chef up a gourmet salad, or don’t have the money to go buy a green smoothie from the overpriced place down the street. Below are some of my favorite post-workout snack recipes that you can make in a short amount of time, or even the night before for when you’re on the go.
1. Avocado Toast
I’m sure by now you’ve had enough hearing about the joys of avocados, but this is one snack I will never tire of. First of all, you can make it in about five minutes with minimal skill required. All you have to do is pop some bread in a toaster, toast to your liking, and spread avocado on top. You can choose to spice it up my way, with everything bagel seasoning and hot sauce or even make it a caprese style with balsamic glaze, mozzarella balls and tomato for a more hearty snack.
2. Protein Shake
I am not referring to your typical protein powder, bulking shake that tastes like chalk. You can pick up protein shakes literally anywhere- a drugstore, grocery store, you name it. My personal favorite is the Orgain chocolate shake, which comes in a six pack and are super convenient for when you don’t want to make a thing. You can also purchase protein powder in any flavor you want and mix it with a cup of your favorite milk as an alternative.
3. Frozen Blueberries and Almond Milk
This is one of my favorite summer, post-workout snack recipes for when you want something cold and refreshing for only 100 calories. Freezing a cup or two of blueberries, or your favorite berry, and pouring unsweetened almond milk over them is a good way to snack on a sweet treat. Add honey and cinnamon for a little extra sweetness with minimal calories added.
4. Protein Cookie Dough
Sometimes, it is extremely hard to fight your sweet cravings when you’re trying to eat healthy before bikini season, and that’s completely okay. Whenever I want a little bite of chocolate, I mix a scoop of protein powder, ¼ pack of sugar free Cheesecake Jell-O, 1 teaspoon of peanut butter powder and almond milk until you get a creamy consistency. You can add nuts, chocolate chips, M&M’s, or any other fun treat to get a healthy alternative for cookie dough!
5. Granola
Homemade granola is one of the easiest things you can make the night before and eat with milk after you complete your workout. All you have to do is combine 4 cups of oats, 1 cup of almonds, ½ cup of melted coconut oil, ½ cup of honey, ¼ cup of cranberries, salt, cinnamon and vanilla extract to taste and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. This is a super simple recipe with things you probably have laying around your kitchen regardless, so you may as well whip up this granola when you have the time.
6. Overnight Oats
One of my personal favorite breakfast snack recipes, or a snack if you’re super hungry that day like I am normally. These oats are served cold, which is super refreshing when the weather gets warmer and you don’t want to waste time boiling water. All you have to do is combine a half cup of oats and a cup of your choice of milk and refrigerate overnight. You can top with fresh fruit, chia seeds, honey, cinnamon, or nut butter and take it anywhere, an added bonus because you don’t have to heat it up.
7. Quinoa Salad
A simple three ingredient recipe with tons of flavor: cook some quinoa and mix in chopped roasted red peppers with basil and you have a light snack to take to class. Of course you can add additional ingredients and make it your own, but the less ingredients needed to remember, the better in this case. I like to mix in olive oil and feta for a Greek-inspired snack.
8. Parfait
Yogurt has so many benefits for your digestive system, but can be riddled with high amounts of sugar if you buy the flavored ones. Buying plain, nonfat Greek yogurt can be boring and tart, but toppings are the key here. Cut up some fruit, add your homemade or store bought granola, drizzle maple syrup or agave on top and head out to your next appointment with no time wasted. You’ll be getting in your protein from the yogurt, and you can even eat it as a dessert treat!
9. Low-Carb Pizza
If you’re craving Italian, or a greasy slice of pizza after your workout, this is the one of the most perfect snack recipes for you. Put some pesto or marinara sauce on top of a low-carb tortilla and top with low-fat cheese and veggies. This cooks in about 5-10 minutes in an oven, and is only around 130 calories. A low-calorie pizza option for a snack? Sign us up.
10. Protein Ice Cream
If you’re still craving ice cream and have made it this far, congratulations, this is your gift. This is one of the only snack recipes I know off the top of my head because I make it so often. All you need is one scoop of your flavor protein powder (whatever flavor you want your ice cream to be), a frozen banana, a handful of ice, and unsweetened almond milk and put it into a blender. Once you reach your desired consistency, add almond milk if too thick, then you can top with sliced banana, honey, or whatever else you’d like. This is super refreshing and my absolute favorite summer snack after a workout.
