Why You Should Eat Yogurt After A Workout

The foods you eat post-workout can make all the difference in recovery, as well as assist with muscle growth and repair. Eating enough essential nutrients throughout the day is crucial for good health, but what you eat specifically before and after your workouts can really boost your results (via WebMD). 

Yogurt may not be the first food that comes to mind as a post-workout snack, and it's certainly not trending in the same way protein shakes are, but there are some beneficial health reasons to consider it. Experts at WebMD report that yogurt, specifically plain Greek yogurt, offers up to 20 grams of protein per cup. According to the scientific journal The Physician and Sportsmedicine, eating a high protein snack after a workout can support recovery, muscle growth, the maintenance of lean muscle mass, as well as increase immune function.

The protein content alone makes Greek yogurt a winner as a post-workout snack, but the perks don't stop there. 

The benefits of eating yogurt after a workout

Aside from being packed with protein, choosing plain, unsweetened yogurt for your post-workout snack offers other advantages too. Yogurt contains a decent amount of calcium, an essential mineral that supports healthy bones. San Francisco news website SFGATE reports that one serving of Greek yogurt contains 20% of your RDI of calcium. According to The O'Brien Clinic, calcium is also necessary for optimal muscle growth and contraction, and can assist in preventing muscle cramps, making yogurt a healthy choice for a post-workout snack.  

In addition to calcium, yogurt also contains essential nutrients including, B vitamins, zinc, and potassium, and can also support weight loss (via LiveStrong). The Mayo Clinic recommends a post-workout snack consisting of plain yogurt with fruit, like bananas and berries. The carbohydrates and protein provided in this tasty treat can help restore glycogen and assist with recovery.

If plain yogurt bores you, creative options include a yogurt and fruit smoothie or a parfait ... and everybody loves parfaits!