If you want to achieve all your fitness goals and build muscle at the same time, it is essential that you fuel your body with the right nutrients after your workouts. There are various powerhouse foods and supplements that can promote post-workout recovery. Although red meat such as beef often gets a bad rap, it can be utilized with great success both in muscle building and post-workout recovery. Here’s why you should not hesitate to incorporate quality grass-fed beef into your active lifestyle.
Beef Packs a Powerful Protein Punch
After working out, your body requires a considerable amount of protein for optimal recovery. Ideally, 0.6 to 0.9 grams of protein should be consumed every day for each pound of body mass. This equates to between 10 and 20 grams of protein as a post-workout snack. Considering that an 8-ounce piece of grass-fed steak contains nearly 52 grams of protein (and just 6 grams of fat), you only need to eat about 4 ounces of quality beef after your workout to optimize recovery. The protein found in beef can boost post-workout muscle repair substantially. Protein is made up of amino acids which, in turn, function as the building blocks of the body. When a good source of protein is consumed after a workout, it provides the muscles with the required amino acids to build itself.
Not Only Muscles Are Benefited
Most exercise enthusiasts have a dedicated hygiene routine which includes taking care of their hair. This may include things such as applying dry shampoo before or after exercising and making use of specialized serums and shine sprays to make their tresses look their best. As hair is made from protein, including healthy amounts of grass-fed beef in your diet can nourish your hair from the inside, leaving it looking and feeling great every day. Having beef as a post-workout meal can also improve overall bone health and increase fat burning which not only promotes swift recovery but helps maximize your workout efforts too.
Eat Your Beef Any Way You Like
There is a common belief that the most beneficial way to incorporate beef into your post-workout regime, is to eat it in jerky form. While jerky made from grass-fed beef is undoubtedly a protein-packed, low carb snack, you are not forced to only eat dried meat. In fact, you can consume your beef anyway you want, as long as it is prepared in a healthy manner. There are countless options including steak, burgers and sliders, roast, brisket, rib, and even beef stew. As long as you stay within your daily allotted macros if you do track them, or just practice common sense, you should be good to go with whatever you choose.
Grass-fed beef can not only form part of a healthy, balanced diet, but can also help boost post-workout recovery. Whether you choose to indulge in beef steak or jerky, you can expect to enjoy various benefits that boost your workout efforts.
Visit the Discover Blog for grass-fed beef recipes.
Meet The Author
After taking a career sabbatical to become a mother, Jackie now writes full time on topics ranging from health and wellness, right through to news and current affairs. She has, in the past battled problems with anxiety and panic, and in her spare time she volunteers for a number of local charities that support people with mental health issues.
