How to Conquer Post-Workout Cravings
January 12, 2012
•Le Cordon Bleu
•Sacramento
• 0 Comments
How to Conquer Post-Workout Cravings
If you hit the gym hard and rev up your cardio workout only to step off the treadmill and think, “what’s for dinner,” you are not alone. In much the same way people crave salt and water to replenish the things which have been lost while sweating, many often crave food. Truth be told, these post-workout cravings may just be strong enough to prevent weight loss even though you are working overtime to burn those calories. With all the wonderful Sacramento culinary options out there, it’s easy to get carried away. Here are the “whys” and “hows” for recognizing and avoiding this common unwanted side effect of cardio workouts.
Why do these cravings happen?
Many researchers and nutritionists actually have a term for this phenomenon; they call it “cardio compensation.” Cardio is highly effective in burning calories and is often recommended for those looking to lose weight but in certain people, the body feels the need to replace those burned calories and this results in massive cravings. To break this down even further, researchers have found that in particular it is usually long and steady cardio workouts that most frequently illicit these cravings.
So what can you do to combat the cravings?
If you are aware of them, it may be easier to keep them at bay. If you simply can’t overcome them, there are other highly effective ways to lose weight that do not require cardio. Interval training is often recommended for people who are hit hard by the “cardio compensation” bug. Eating after working out is not an inherently bad thing, especially because many choose to do cardio on a fairly empty stomach to help avoid cramps and stomach upset. It all comes down to what your workout goals are and what you are eating after you come home from the gym. Here are some of the best snacks you can make that will help you reach yours goals while not going to bed hungry!
Healthy snack options
Many dips are notoriously high in fat and calorie content. An exception to the rule is hummus. This delicious spread is easy to make and goes great with a variety of healthy dipping options including carrots, celery and other tasty low-cal veggies. Simply combine one clove garlic, one can garbanzo beans, three tablespoons lemon juice, two tablespoons tahini (optional), one chopped clove of garlic, one teaspoon salt, two tablespoons olive oil and pepper to taste and blend together.
If hummus is not your thing, try making a smoothie. Often your body may be cravings protein for energy after working out. Try plain yogurt (or flavored if you prefer), frozen fruits (strawberries and bananas are great. About ¼ of the mixture should be ice and you may also want to add a powdered protein supplement for an extra boost. Blend this together and you have a wonderfully tasty snack option.
Getting in shape and working out are fun and rewarding for most people. Think of beating your post-workout cravings as a challenge to your culinary education. Fortunately there are many workout savvy Sacramento culinary options available. If you love to cook, let your inner chef, foodie and workout guru co-exist peacefully. You can create your own healthy and tasty creations that will not only satisfy your cravings, but not hinder your exercise goals or suppress your ongoing culinary education!
This article is presented by Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Sacramento. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Sacramento offers culinary arts and pâtisserie and baking training programs in Sacramento, California. To learn more about the class offerings, please visit Chefs.edu/Sacramento for more information.
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