Proper recovery is a big part of an athlete's training and will affect performance if not done properly. A big component of recovery includes adequate nutrition, which will ensure that you get to your next workout, race or competition with the energy stores needed for peak performance. Proper recovery should include replacing fluid and electrolytes lost in sweat, carbohydrate to replace muscle and liver glycogen, and protein to repair damaged muscle tissue and develop new tissue.
Quality counts: Choose nutrient-rich, whole foods and steer clear of highly processed foods. Nutrient-rich, whole foods will give you more bang for your buck, providing the protein, carbohydrate, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals needed.
Here are a few food items to throw in your shopping cart the next time you are cruising the aisles of the grocery store.
