Caramel-y, creamy happiness
Lest you think that life on the run is a sad time spent avoiding my favorite foods, do not despair on my behalf. My diet right now is pretty decadent. I am limiting sugar, but I’m not eliminating it. I am watching the carb intake a little less than usual, which means saying yes to a second slice of bread.
Donuts may be a no, but a dash of caramel creamer is a yes.
I am not yet running on the level where a luxurious post-run meal is necessary for recovery after any run I complete, but I look forward to the day when it is. Running experts suggest post-run splurges after a long run or a race (like a marathon). This meal needs to be designed to get all your hormones and immunity back to normal, re-hydrate, pump yourself full of the right ratio of carbs to proteins, repair muscles, and reduce inflammation.
Your body needs recovery after normal runs, too, so go on and be a little decadent about it. A snack with carbs and protein is ideal. The easiest (and let’s just say it – best) thing? Chocolate milk. Specifically, I recommend a nice glass of Trumoo whole chocolate milk. Whole (and yes, by that I do mean full fat. Glory be!) chocolate milk has the perfect ratio of carbs to protein (3:1 or 4:1) that send your body into recovery mode. I have to take a pill to have chocolate milk, though, so I don’t necessarily keep it around.
Vegans, take heart. A beverage gem with which I do not have to take a pill that was recently brought to my attention is Silk’s Chocolate Protein Nutmilk. It has 10g of protein per serving, but only 16g of carbs. Oh, well, I guess that means I just have to turn it into a milkshake by adding a serving-sized scoop of So Delicious Snickerdoodle to balance out that ratio.
The sacrifices I make…
After a run, skip the calorie counting (if you’re into that sort of thing) and give yourself a little treat. Your body will thank you.
What’s your favorite post-workout snack?
M. Suzanne Terry 
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