Why Almonds Can Be A Great Post-Workout Snack
A handful of almonds can be the perfect pocket fuel, according to celebrity personal trainer Bridget Hunt
Finding the energy to workout can be hard enough, but doing it on an empty stomach can seem near impossible.
Choosing a tasty post-workout snack, such as a handful of almonds, can help you get the most out of your workout and ward off any post exercise hunger pangs.
Packed with fibre, B vitamins and calcium, almonds are a gym bunny’s best friend, as a packet or tin of these delicious healthy heroes fit easily in your gym bag with no crumbs or stickiness to worry about.
Even better, as a natural source of protein – a nutrient that aids muscle recovery – they are also ideal to munch on post-workout.
So whether you are hitting the gym for a hard-core session, or going for a leisurely walk with the kids – packing a nutritious punch, almonds are the perfect versatile snack to fuel your exercise.
Celebrity personal trainer Bridget Hunt highlights that “as our bodies work to build muscle and recover 24 hours a day, it’s important to make sure we are filling up on goodness that provides energy”.
Hunt also advises that the timing and your choice of snack can have an important effect on energy levels, “which is why you should opt for something nutrient-rich and satisfying, such as a handful of almonds.
“Almonds taste great and offer natural goodness in every bite, as they are packed with a high source of fibre, contain healthy unsaturated fats and are a natural source of protein”.
Past research in this field has suggested snacking on almonds as a pre and post workout snack; recent research published in the Journal of the International Society of Sport Nutrition, has gone a step further and concluded that snacking on almonds can improve endurance. Researchers found that, when consumed daily, athletes tended to improve cycling distance.
However, almonds aren’t just for pro-athletes, anyone wanting a snack that helps them refuel and get the most of their workout can benefit from these nutritious nuts.
A handful of almonds (30g) contain 15 essential nutrients including 65 per cent of your daily requirement of the antioxidant vitamin E.
Plus, with no preparation needed, they are a tasty, on-the-go snack that can be kept in the car or slipped in your gym bag ready when you are.
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