The most frequently asked question I get from my online community is whether I eat after I exercise. Most people tend to not eat after exercising mainly because they fear that their workout will go to waste and they will fail to lose weight, something which is absolutely NOT true! Nutrition affects your performance at gym and it helps you to reach your fitness goals whether it be weight loss, weight gain or maintenance. Eating more of the right thing in the right quantities is important to fuel and nourish your body and to help you reach your fitness goals. Let’s unpack how to do this, starting with expanding on what a healthy diet is comprised of.

A healthy diet is made up of macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). Eating before gym helps to fuel my energy levels which helps to increase my physical performance, however having eating after training is just as important for your health and below are just some of the reasons:

• Carbohydrates often get a bad reputation but carbs are not created equal and the right carbs help to refuel our bodies after training, help with recovery and to preserve muscle glycogen. Your muscles store glucose in the form of glycogen and your muscles dip into these reserves when you’re putting them to work.

• Eating protein after a workout is a must for speedy muscle recovery, particularly after weight training.

• Food contains electrolytes (which are minerals that your neurons need to fire properly) which you lose when you sweat, fatigued and battling low blood sugar.

• You’re also inhibiting your body’s repair process. If you routinely skip eating after a workout it will be harder to reach your fitness goals.

I ideally try to eat within 0-45 minutes after my workout session and my go to breakfast is usually Jungle Oats, however I have recently partnered with the brand and discovered their new Jungle Plus High Protein Porridge and it has been my go to breakfast option for the past few weeks. Jungle Plus is a multi-grain porridge that has been fortified with vitamins and minerals to promote good mental and physical wellbeing. BONUS: It is easy to make (using either milk or hot water) and it works perfectly as a pre or post workout meal, snack or shake.

Some of the top nutrients included in the product:  Super grains, Protein, 19 Amino acids, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, micronutrients such as iron, zinc, 10 vitamins and the soluble fibre Beta-Glucan from Jungle Oats which reduces the risk of heart disease.

I have mentioned the important role protein and amino acids play in the growth and development of muscle mass. I find it important to mention that Jungle Plus also contains B vitamins, vitamin C and Iron which contributes to effective energy release in the blood stream which is necessary to keep you energized throughout the day. It is low in GI which keeps you fuller for longer therefore less unnecessary calories consumed, which is important if you are trying to lose weight, Omega 3 Fatty Acids help to improve bone strength and joint health (important if you are an athlete or you live a very active lifestyle) and lower blood pressure and may help prevent and/or treat mental illness such as depression and anxiety. Talk about an all in one solution for good nutrition!

I have so far had the product as a post-workout shake and breakfast. If having cereal for breakfast is your preference, you will fall in love with Jungle Plus. Jungle Oats is a heritage brand that is over 100 years old and most of us grew up having it for breakfast and are quite familiar with its famous tagline “The Energy Champion”. I was pleasantly surprised to see how the brand has managed to remain trendy, relevant, and innovative after all these years.

Jungle Plus gets a thumbs up from me. I will be doing an IGTV on my Instagram page soon where I’ll show the products versatility by sharing a high protein shake recipe and who knows, I may just throw in a dessert recipe using the product. I’m incredibly excited!

In the meantime, please ensure that you fuel your body with nutrient dense foods which include all three macronutrients (healthy carbohydrates, protein and fats). Jungle Plus contains both healthy carbs and it is HIGH in protein. Don’t forget that macronutrients form the basis of a healthy diet and they are important in order for you to maintain a strong immune system, to help you reach your fitness goals overall promotes good health.

Stay home and stay safe,

Juanita