Recovery Drink or Dinner right after Workout

Gary6030

I'm trying to get some more information. The P90 program recommends a recovery drink immediately after the workout. However I'm doing this with my wife and daughter. We typically eat dinner right after, something from P90 menu. Is that o.k. and not have the recovery drink if we have a good protein enriched meal? We are going to switch to morning workouts next week but for now any insight?

khskr1

Recovery drinks are great IF you can't eat right after. If you are able to eat real food after, that's the best choice. just make sure it's balanced well!

kimjoan

I think that if you are eating dinner (or any meal) within an hour after working out there is no need for the "recovery" drink. They accomplish the same thing.

Hernandezedw

I've been reading up on the whole protein thing for a bit. People seem to think you need it right away. And the liquid stuff supposedly gets absorbed faster. It's just my opinion that anything concentrated like that, can't possibly be the healthiest choice. I've also read, if you get protein throughout the day in your foods, you'll be just fine.

jbucci1186

I've gone through p90x three times now and i honestly never drank a recovery drink. sometimes if i felt like i needed it, i would drink water during the actual workout as well as before and after. i usually find my self eating within an hour after finishing though.
you could drink some gatorade if you're worried

ShapeUpSidney

Recovery drinks? The best choice is plain old, low-fat chocolate milk. Seriously. They say within 30-45 mins after a workout. If your dinner is timed for that, then you don't need a recovery drink (but maybe a snack between dinner and bed?) It's hard to say without knowing the intimate details of your schedule.

But I agree with all who say that you dont need recovery drinks if you have a healthy dinner after the workout. They are a must for me because it takes me a little while to get home after going to the gym.

ludgerclay

I agree with khskr1. Important things after a tough workout: replenish fluids and electrolytes if you've lost any, replenish glycogen with some medium to complex carbs, have some protein to rebuild damaged muscles. A common ratio of carbs to protein is 4:1, but each of us is different. Whether you get these from a meal or a drink doesn't really matter. Just replenish as soon as you can after the work-out.

aviduser

A recovery drink is intended to jumpstart your body's replenishment of glycogen stores in the muscles and liver. Glycogen is 1 part glucose (sugar) and 2 parts water. Good recovery drinks also include some proteins, amino acids and fat. Hammer Nutrition makes Recoverite, which is great.

Your body's ability to replenish glycogen is highest in the 30 minutes following a hard workout that includes threshold level, anaerobic elements (aerobic exercise does not deplete glycogen to the same extent). The window closes 2 hours after exercise.

Replenishing your glycogen will lessen soreness and enable your body to be ready to perform at a peak level sooner--the next day instead of 2 or 3 days later.

Personally, I tend to drink Recoverite after a longer bike ride (more than 2 hours) and/or a ride that includes some threshold level hills. After a really long ride (100 mi), I drink a double-dose of Recoverite and I eat bananas, cookies and/or other high carb, high sugar snacks. (Log all calories, of course!)

You are still supposed to eat within 2 hours after the Recoverite. If you are eating dinner after your workout, and including carbs, sugars (fruit is good), etc., then you are probably fine.

PS: The Hammer Nutrition website has very useful information that explains all of these nutrition mechanisms.