The 6 Best Foods for Muscle Recovery (And Why They Work)

Hey Angels and Alphas,

If you’re like most people, you exercise to stay in shape and to keep your body healthy and active. However, if you exercise regularly without proper muscle recovery, you may experience muscle fatigue and soreness while preventing your muscles from growing stronger than they were before.

To speed up your muscle recovery time, explore this list of the six best foods for muscle recovery (as well as vital information as to why they work so you can adapt your diet better.)

1) Salmon

Salmon is one of the best foods for muscle recovery because it’s packed with protein and omega-3 fatty acids. The protein in salmon helps repair and rebuild damaged muscles, while the omega-3s help reduce inflammation. Salmon is also a good source of antioxidants, which can help protect your muscles from further damage. Omega-3s have been shown to reduce levels of TNF alpha, a substance that causes increased swelling and soreness.

Research has shown that people who consume high levels of omega-3s in their diet show lower levels of TNF alpha than those who don’t consume much omega-3. Omega-6 fatty acids are another type of healthy fat found in fish like salmon that aids muscle growth, though they’re less common sources than other types of healthy fats.

2) Yogurt

Yogurt is packed with protein, which is essential for muscle recovery. Plus, it contains probiotics that can help reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process. yogurt is also a good source of calcium, which helps keep bones strong. It’s important to choose a yogurt without added sugars or artificial sweeteners so you don’t overload on calories.

It’s best to stick to natural sweeteners like honey or stevia if you need something sweeter in your life. In general, adding fruits and nuts to your yogurt is an easy way to increase the number of vitamins and minerals in your diet.

3) Spinach

When it comes to muscle recovery, leafy green vegetables should be your go-to. Spinach is packed with nutrients like iron and magnesium, which are essential for repair and growth. It’s also a good source of fiber, which can help reduce inflammation.

Bonus: spinach is low in calories, so it won’t derail your diet. And if you’re looking for more ways to get more greens into your diet, try adding them to salads or using them as wraps instead of tortillas.

4) Broccoli

Broccoli is one of the best foods you can eat for muscle recovery. It’s packed with vitamins and minerals, including calcium, potassium, and magnesium. These nutrients are essential for repairing damaged muscles and keeping them healthy. Broccoli is also a good source of protein, which helps build new muscle tissue.

5) Meat (lean or red meat)

Red meat is an excellent source of protein, which is essential for muscle growth and repair. It’s also a good source of iron, which helps to transport oxygen to your muscles.

Red meat is also rich in creatine, which has been shown to improve muscle recovery. It’s also rich in l-carnitine, another amino acid that plays a key role in the burning of fat.

6) Kale

Another leafy green vegetable that’s a nutritional powerhouse. Kale is rich in vitamins A, C, and K as well as carotenoids and flavonoids that have antioxidant properties.

Plus, this veggie is loaded with calcium and vitamin D—important nutrients for muscle function—and it contains very little fat or cholesterol. Add kale to salads or sautéed veggies for an easy way to add more greens into your meal plan without breaking the calorie bank!