A long, hard, strenuous, workout deserves a snack, but did you know that the food you choose is just as important as the actual workout itself?

For many people, exercise has become an excuse to eat whatever you want. Not just right after the workout, but throughout the entire day. This can be especially harmful since the metabolism is jump started after a workout, increasing one’s appetite throughout the day. With this mentality and an increased appetite, it can lead to over eating and reaching for the wrong type of food.

On the other hand, one might think that not eating at all after a workout will aid in weight loss, when in actuality, a small 200 calorie snack can prevent you from pigging out down the road with a 800 calorie snack. Having a post workout snack also helps in keeping your metabolism rev’ed up. One should grab a snack 30 minutes to 2 hours after a workout.

So, what should you eat when you get home from the gym?

To contrary believe, carbohydrates are essential to a post-workout snack and should make up about 60% of it. During a workout, the glycogen storage is depleted and should be replenished and refueled to make it through the day without overeating. A post-workout snack for moderate exercise should include 30-50 grams of carbohydrates.

Second, the snack should include some sort of protein which aids in rebuilding muscle.

Here are 7 great post workout snack that will leave you full and keep you going throughout the day:

* Egg Sandwich: 100 calorie English muffin with egg whites

* Fruit and Yogurt mixed with a small amount of granola

* 1 tbsp peanut butter and 1 banana on a rice cake

* Low fat fruit smoothie and protein powder

* High fiber crackers and low fat cheese

* Low sugar fruit juice and a hand full of Nuts

* Cottage cheese and fruit

Question: What is your favorite Post-Workout Snack?

I love making fruit smoothies after my workout!

Has anyone tried Fiber One’s four newest additions to the family?

In honor of my previous post on the important of fiber, I am pleased to announce that Fiber One has joined up with Yoplait yogurt to create four great tasting yogurts… and it’s Hungry-girl approved!

Personally I am not a huge fan of Yoplait yogurt, but when I saw that Fiber One came out with these bad boys I thought I might just give them a try. Most Yoplait yogurts are loaded with sugar, but these are only 4g! With a whooping 50 calories, 0g fat, and 5g of fiber you are sure to stay within your calorie range for the day.

Unlike most loaded fiber products, these taste nothing close to cardboard or chalk … really, none of Fiber Ones products that I have tried come even close to those descriptions. I tried their strawberry flavor, which was amazing! They also come in peach, vanilla, and key lime.

Since we are on the topic of my one true love, I though I would share with you one of my favorite yogurt recipe that is extremely simple to make!

Yogurt Pie . . . A sweet, low fat, low calorie dessert that is to die for!

PIE SHELL

Ingredients:

* 2 cups Fiber One Cereal

* 4 tbsp. LAND O LAKES Whipped Light Butter; melted

Directions:

- Begin by preheating oven to 350 degrees.

- In a blender or food processor, grind Fiber One to a breadcrumb-like consistency.

- Combine crumbs with melted butter and stir until well mixed.

- In an oven-safe pie dish sprayed with nonstick spray, evenly distribute Fiber One mixture, using your hands or a flat utensil to press & form the crust. Use your fingers to press it into the edges and up along the sides of the dish.

- Bake pie shell for 10 minutes. Set aside.

PIE FILLING

Ingredients:

* 2 containers (6oz each) Fiber One Strawberry Yogurt

* 1 tub (8oz) Fat-Free Cool Whip

Directions:

- In a large mixing bowl, combine fat-free yogurt and cool whip

- Pour mixture into pie shell and freeze

- Place in refrigerator (uncovered) at least two hours or until set

For this recipe, strawberry yogurt is my favorite but any flavor works.

What flavor would you choose?

I have to admit… I am a recovering frozen yogurt addict soley on the fact that frozen yogurt is a half hour away. Stating that I have an obsession with frozen yogurt would be a huge understatement. At one point I had it every day. Soon enough I just ended up getting a frozen yogurt machine to save me money.

Frozen yogurt has become the new starbucks craze for many areas. Many people are talking about Golden Spoon, Pinkberry, Yogurtland, Red Mango, and Mojos. Some are served for you, others you serve yourself, and the latest one I found had a coldstone feel where they mixed in your toppings for you. You can get sweet flavors, fruity flavors, or the tart ones.

I love how there are so many options at each place!

With all the talk of frozen yogurt, the best part is that there are so many health benefits to them. Here are some to name a few:

* Aids in digestion

* Boosts immune system

* Has Beneficial Metabolic effects

My dad and I always go to Golden Spoon when I come to visit!

* Lowers cholesterol

* Low in sodium

* Low in calorie

* Overcome lactose intolerance

* High in calcium for strong bones and teeth

* A good source of protein

* Stops acne

* Contains the vitamins B12 and riboflavin.

* Contain live and active bacteria cultures including S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. lactis and L. acidophilus

So, with all these health benefits, is frozen yogurt

any healthier than ice cream?

Frozen yogurt’s nutritional content is different for each place, so be careful. While most are fat-free, there are several out there that are not. Many frozen yogurts are high in sugar as well, so look for those sugar-free signs.

A normal serving of ice cream is anywhere from a half to a cup of ice cream,  but when it comes to frozen yogurt, many people are getting double to triple  the amount, especially with those self-serve places. A large frozen yogurt can  add up to anywhere from 225-325 calories! It might be the fact that frozen  yogurt has been coined “healthy” so people feel that they can eat more.

Personally I think the frozen yogurt industry has taken the word “yogurt”  and stretched it as far as it can to make people think that they are eating  natural yogurt, so people tend to over eat it and consume way too much

… speaking of myself, I can consume 32 oz of Golden Spoon in one sitting!

So, in conclusion, yes frozen yogurt has many health benefits and yes it is much lower in calories and fat in comparison to ice cream. But like everything, it is good in moderation… so swap that large cone for a small.

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