Build muscles, a toned body and a slim figure are what many of us go to the gym for. The dream is quite achievable if you exercise regularly and eat right. Recently, the opinion that for an ideal figure it is necessary first of all to abandon the consumption of sweets after sports has become especially popular. However, experts can unanimously confirm that this is not entirely true. Nutritionist Marina Bondarovich told us how to make desserts a source of energy and not extra pounds.
The benefits of carbohydrates
Refusing sweets after physical exertion is a wrong approach, since they are a rich source of energy - carbohydrates, which must be included in the diet, both for professional athletes and fitness amateurs. Figuratively speaking, this is our main fuel and nutrition for the vessels of the brain, which, among other things, ensures the proper functioning of the pancreas. In a word - energy, without which you will feel constant weakness, fatigue and hunger.
What sweets to choose?
After training, you need to restore the lost strength. Sweets are not a problem if you approach the issue rationally, because carbohydrates can be both simple and complex. Desserts just belong to simple carbohydrates - they are quickly broken down, after which a person feels a surge of strength and vigor, and this is exactly what the body needs after exercise.
It is very important to understand that, having replenished your energy, for example, with a piece of chocolate, after 30-40 minutes you must use these reserves in the form of a little physical activity - walking or even cleaning the house, otherwise the calories will make themselves felt on the most problematic zones. In order not to harm yourself, combine an active lifestyle with the use of sweets in moderation - on average, 30-60 g of carbohydrates. When choosing what to please yourself with after the gym, pay attention to the composition of the product - it must be natural. Sweets made entirely of sugar and cream will definitely not work.
Without fanaticism, but with great pleasure after training, you can taste the following sweets:
Paste
Most often in stores we find white marshmallow - it is not for athletes. Pay attention to the dark pastille with a viscous consistency - it contains much more dietary fiber, which contributes to good digestion and gives a feeling of fullness for a long time.
Chocolate
¼ exactly dark chocolate bars will have a beneficial effect on blood pressure and blood vessels, increase efficiency and improve mood. We have all heard about the "happiness hormone" - so, dark chocolate helps to produce it (read also: "10 facts about chocolate that you will like").
Cheeses
Do not be surprised that dairy products suddenly appeared on our list, because there are so-called dessert cheeses - vanilla and chocolate ricotta, mascarpone. They contain exclusively natural substances: cocoa, milk, nut butter and vanilla. A set of such components is very beneficial to health.
Marshmallow
For some reason, many people underestimate this product, but meanwhile, this dessert is low in calories - about 145 per piece. At the same time, it contains a lot of iron, phosphorus and, which is important for fitness lovers, protein (read also: "What happens to your body when you consume protein").
Halva
Unlike marshmallows, 100 g of halva contains as much as 470 calories! It will take at least an hour to walk after such a pleasure, but this product contains a significant amount of vitamins A, B, E, as well as proteins. In addition, many scientists claim that halva has anti-aging properties.
PS:
Marina Bondarovich
Photo: Getty Images
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