Many meal replacement shakes ingredients can help your body heal after a workout. The three macronutrients – protein, fats, and carbohydrates – each serve an essential role in this process, and most brands of meal replacement shakes have all three. However, not all shakes use the same quality of ingredients, meaning that the returns on your workout can be greatly affected my which type of meal replacement shake you purchase.

ENU nutrition shakes contain 20 grams of whey protein isolate, one of the most efficient forms of protein in existence, along with a healthy blend of fats and complex carbohydrates to help kickstart the recovery process and provide sustained energy. To learn more about the products ENU offers, visit us online today.

Effects of Working Out on Your Body

Although you may not think about it in these terms, working out effectively shreds your muscles – and the harder the workout, the more extensive the damage, regardless of whether you’re running or lifting weights. The level of enzymes and hormones in your body change and inflammation increases, all of which could be pretty unpleasant under different circumstances. This process is the reason you feel that soreness after intense exercise, but it’s also a perfectly normal part of the process.

Once you set down the dumbbell or unlace your running shoes, your body begins to repair and strengthen the muscles that were broken down. This is how you reap the benefits of exercise: incremental improvements that build up in preparation for the next bout of exercise. As your tissues recover, they are made just a little bit tougher as new cells enter the damaged areas and make improvements.

This can lead to a whole host of health benefits if you maintain a regular exercise routine. The increased blood flow is good for your brain, and the endorphins released when you work out can improve your mood. This is on top of the obvious boons exercise can provide – bigger muscles, a smaller waist, and more compliments from people who haven’t seen you in a while.

How to Nutrition Helps You Recover After a Workout

To get the benefits of a good workout, it’s important to facilitate muscle recovery by stretching, resting and eating properly. Failing to take the proper steps can lead to injuries and reduce the overall effectiveness of your workouts. If you want to maximize the benefits of your time at the gym, proper nutrition is key. Here are some things to watch for when deciding what to eat or drink after exercising:

Protein Is King

This news will hardly be surprising to anyone who has spent time lifting weights, but protein is one of the most important parts of your diet, and doubly so if you need to repair muscles after exercise. This macronutrient breaks down into amino acids that your body will use to repair the tiny tears in your muscles to make them stronger. Without sufficient protein intake, you could wind up without the resources necessary to bounce back from a workout stronger than before.

The most effective time to consume protein is within an hour of finishing your workout, although setting a general goal for your daily protein intake will also help keep your muscles supplied with the materials they need to repair themselves; the Institute of Medicine recommends that protein make up 10 to 35 percent of your total calories, although athletes should be on the higher end of this. Whey protein is ideal for this because it is easily and quickly absorbed by the body, meaning that it can be used almost immediately, and because it contains all 9 essential amino acids.

Carbs Are Crucial

Although protein gets the lion’s share of the attention where post-workout nutrition is concerned, carbohydrates are an equally important of recovery. Carbs are your body’s primary fuel when working out, mostly in the form of bundles of glucose – called glycogen – that are stored in the muscles and liver. Low levels of glycogen lead to a decrease in your ability to build muscle and, by extension, see returns on your time spent working out.

The solution is simple: eat more carbs, especially in combination with protein. According to the American Council on Exercise, protein stimulates the production of muscle glycogen after exercise. The addition of carbs to the mix will fuel this process while releasing more insulin into the bloodstream – an important factor in post-exercise workouts because it reduces the rate at which muscle is broken down.

Get All Your Post-Workout Nutrition in One Beverage

That pain you feel after working out – the achy arms and shaky legs – is a sign that you’ve pushed your body to its limits. Most gym-goers revel in it, but regardless of your feelings, it’s a sign that your body needs rest and proper nutrition. ENU meal replacement shakes contain that nutrition: 20 grams of whey protein isolate, a medley of natural carbs, a blend of healthy fats (derived from sunflower and coconut oils), and 24 vitamins and minerals. To learn more about our products, visit us online today.