Training for a triathlon takes it toll on the triathlete’s body. When you add in the body’s needs for proper nutrition, not just to get through the workout, but for recovery, too, it’s imperative that you are able to replenish your body appropriately. In a recent article on Active.com about ways to speed recovery, it states that without proper post-workout nutrition, it can take up to 48 hours to replenish your body. Not good…
We have tried so many different combinations of formulas, food, and recipes, but finally determined what works best for my triathlete. Now, in no way am I an expert, but I know my husband knows his body and I know I wanted him to stop using all those mixes. Plus, it was necessary that we find the combination with a high quality protein and adequate carbohydrates to replenish both muscle protein and muscle glycogen stores. (See what a little research can teach you.) So, at the end of all these years of trial and error, we seem to have found what works best for him.
This recovery drink takes literally 2 minutes to make, so either he makes it after his workout or as he is walking in or jumping off the bike, I throw it all in the Magic Bullet and it’s done. I will admit you need to be careful as these turn out really good and are addicting. They taste like a really fancy milkshake. Okay, so as you can guess, I have to taste it first to make sure it is edible!
Pay close attention – lots of details here…
Put the following in the Magic Bullet:
- 6 ounces of whole milk (we use all whole milks in our house)
- 1 heaping and I mean heaping tablespoon of NuttZo (flavor of your choice, even with chocolate)
- 1 tablespoon real Maple Syrup
The Milk – We all know the benefits of drinking milk in general, but it is also an effective rehydration fluid with electrolytes, plus the protein and carbohydrates help repair muscles stressed during exercise. That said, if you’d like to make the drink vegan or don’t choose to use milk, you can make it with substitutes such as Almond or Soy Milk, but the nutritional values will be different.
The NuttZo – We are a NuttZo loving family. You hear me time and time again talking about the benefits in NuttZo, but the combination of seeds and nuts provides all the goodness you need and it tastes really, really good. It also makes great power truffles!
The Maple Syrup – There are so many benefits to using maple syrup. First of all, make sure you are only using real maple syrup; NO commercial syrups please. This way, you’re getting a 100% natural energy source with both electrolytes and simple carbohydrates. Also, being unprocessed, it has many vitamins and minerals that your body needs, like potassium.
So, I hope you enjoy this recovery drink. Not only does it taste fantastic, but it replenishes the body, too.
I’d love to hear what you think or what you make for a recovery drink.
DANA
Sherry is one of the TriWivesClub and LifeDoneWell co-founders and contributes to multiple blogs. She is a former co-owner of the California Apparel News and had a career in the healthcare industry. Her passions include traveling, real food, the environment, and animal rescue/welfare. She lives a healthy lifestyle and has been a vegetarian since 1987. She and her husband are parents to two rescue pups and reside in Connecticut.
