What to eat after workout

It's important to refuel after exercise so if you are legitimately hungry then eat those exercise calories. If it's later where you are try sticking to the veggies & protein.

I usually like to eat something that can put quick carbs and protein back in my system.
An apple with peanut butter
Chocolate Milk
Nutri-Grain bar

its a good idea to eat after a workout. As long as you are eating healthy, non process items, then do not worry about the calories. Your metabolism will actually increase the more you eat.
examples - hand full of carrots with low fat hummus
celery with natural almond butter (no more than 2tbsp)
plain yogurt and half of banana
the basic pattern is that you want to follow is a protein combine with a carb.

Well before working out I usually have around 200 calories still left. I read, talked to a personal trainner and to people who workout a lot and all said we always need to eat within 45 min after workout and something that will take no more than 45 min to digest. All recommended PROTEIN! So I drink a protein shake with some fruit. Depending on my exercise I will have a full scoop of protein powder, a cup of skin milk, 1 tbsp flax and 1/2 cup of fruit (usually a berry). If I don't workout too heavy I do half milk 1/2 water and 1/2 scoop of protein powder. If you don't like protein powder try to stick to proteins and low fat.
The explanation I had was that after exercising in order to keep burning fat we need to eat protein if we eat carbs the body will spend these carbs instead of using the fat already in the body.
I am not a expert, this is info I learned in the past 2 months...

Regardless of when you work out you should always eat something no later than 45 minutes after, helps boost your metabolism. Have a good carb and some protien. I usually have a piece of fruit and string cheese or peanut butter.

If it's late - avoid the carbs. They go unused. The best late night belly-filler I can find is this stuff called P.M. Protein.

Here's the info on it.

GNC Protein Matcher

40 grams fast and slow protein blend.
Enhanced with 2 grams added glutamine.
Contains a 60:40 ratio of fast (whey) to slow (casein), absorbing protein.
Whey protein provides amino acids that move quickly through the digestive system. Casein is a source of amino acids that increase blood amino acids at a much slower and steadier rate.

I'm not a GNC guy - but I like the blend of 60/40 Whey to Casein protein for night time snack. Actually - I think I'll mix some up now. Vanilla is pretty nasty - chocolate is 1000000% better fyi.

Steve
KnightFit.com

ps. You can actually get a cheaper mix if you buy a big 5 pound jar of whey, then a 2 pound jar of casein and mix them. It's a lot cheaper bought online, but a bit more trouble to mix it together.

I typically reach for protein....especially if weights were involved. I'm not big on whey powder but I really love this powder from Whole Foods by Biochem. It's wheat and gluten free, has 20g of protein and is fat free and lactose free. Two scoops only has 110 calories and only 6g of sugar. You can mix with skim milk or even water if you are not a milk drinker. The chocolate fudge tastes like a milk shake, feeds my chocolate soul and it mixes in easy.....no clumps.

Most bodybuilders take a mix of protein and (the ONLY time) simple carbs. Protein to raise amino acids levels and simple sugars to raise blood glucose levels to stop muscle degredation. I eat a protein shake with a Bananna if I'm on a cut and add a scoop of peanut butter if i'm looking to clean bulk.