Nutrition/Diet Question

[Jester]

Okay, my friend and I joined a gym this week. (Yay!)
And I've managed to work out all but one day that I wanted to. I planned on taking Wednesday off from the gym due to my work schedule that day, but I also ended up taking Friday off to come show my room for rent to two people....neither of whom showed. Fuckers.

In any case, since I have not really gotten much of a workout in my life lately other than hauling cases of beer and running around at work when the bar is busy, the workouts have been taking a lot out of me. (Yes, I really have been getting good workouts, thank you very much.) And I know that they say one of the best things you can do after a workout for recovery is have a banana. There's just one problem.

I'm allergic to bananas.

I like them, but I am allergic to them, sadly. My only food allergy, true, but there it is. The good news is, eating one won't kill me. It's a minor allergy, and it only results in my throat getting really scratchy and itchy. So not lethal, but annoying as hell.

So my question is simple: what, if anything, is a good substitute for bananas for eating after a workout. Someone suggested potassium pills/supplements, since it's generally accepted that it's the high potassium content of bananas that makes them so good for this thing, but I don't really want to go the pill route. I'd rather eat something. Especially since after a workout, my body needs FUEL. So, what foods work for this sort of thing?

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

(For anyone wondering if eating after a workout is counterproductive, I should point out that I am not working out to try to lose weight, but nearly get in better shape, and I generally eat a pretty healthy diet. And trust me, eating after a workout feels much better than eating before one.)

[Whiskey]

The reason they tell you to eat bananas after a workout is because potassium helps with DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). Just buy a bottle of potassium supplements and you're golden. You should eat a post workout meal, however. A protein (whey or soy) shake is good if you start drinking those. However, for regular ol' food, eat something protein dense in the half hour after you finish working out. I usually eat baked chicken or scramble a couple eggs.

i dont understand why that parentheses paragraph exists. you work out and eat right you lose weight and build up your muscles. eating after working out is one of the most productive things you can do.

i'm also gonna guess you dont eat enough in calories because im psychic

[Jester]

Just buy a bottle of potassium supplements and you're golden.

But I don't WANT to take supplements. I don't want to do it with pills. Hell, I don't mind being sore. Right now, I am really, really sore. But that's okay. I've been down this road before, when I did track and cross country in high school, and when I've bicycled more than I have been lately. Being sore tells me I've done work, and have more work to do. When I stop being sore after workouts, that tells me I am getting somewhere. But I wouldn't mind a little relief, preferably through something tasty. Like a banana. I just can't really eat bananas.

You should eat a post workout meal, however.

However, for regular ol' food, eat something protein dense in the half hour after you finish working out.

Been doing that. First day, we did dinner at Outback. I had fish and veggies. Yummy. Though a bit heavier than I had figured on. The last couple days, I've hit Subway. Subway is your friend. And it's cheap, too.

i dont understand why that parentheses paragraph exists. you work out and eat right you lose weight and build up your muscles. eating after working out is one of the most productive things you can do.

I didn't know how many people knew that. Besides, I was trying to make the point that losing weight is not my top priority. I wouldn't mind being the weight I am now, if it was distributed better. Preferably in muscle. Right now, I have age, genetics, and my laziness against me. I CAN fight one of those, and that is what I am doing.

i'm also gonna guess you dont eat enough in calories because im psychic

You may be many things, but psychic is not one of them. Despite my size, I can put away some serious foodage. Not like Adam Richman (from Man vs. Food). But all things considered, I can wolf it down.

[Whiskey]

Subway is your friend. And it's cheap, too.

subway is pretty terrible for you. Its no McDonalds, but its not home cooked either.

Being sore tells me I've done work,

This isnt actually true either. well it is, but you can work hard and not be sore. I go up in weight every session and am not sore later/the next day, despite maxing myself out. If you aren't sore, it doesnt mean you havent worked, it means your muscles are used to working. People injure themselves by pushing TOO HARD because they werent getting sore as often/as much.

[Seshat]

Queensland Government PDF of high-potassium foods.

[Whiskey]

Pineapple juice! Mix it with rum and its the perfect PWO (no its not liquor halts any fat burning that would/is going on)

[BookstoreEscapee]

Potatoes are good for potassium. My grandmother used to eat them every day (them and bananas).

Chocolate milk is supposed to be good for a recovery drink. Protein and carbs. (Check labels, or go easy on the chocolate, to avoid too much extra sugar.)

[Jester]

subway is pretty terrible for you. Its no McDonalds, but its not home cooked either.

It's not great, but it's quick, it's easy, it's cheap, and it's far healthier than, say, fast food, which I really don't eat anyway. More to the point, it's protein!

This isnt actually true either. well it is, but you can work hard and not be sore. I go up in weight every session and am not sore later/the next day, despite maxing myself out. If you aren't sore, it doesnt mean you havent worked, it means your muscles are used to working. People injure themselves by pushing TOO HARD because they werent getting sore as often/as much.

I know all this. I meant right now it tells me I am working and not being lazy. I know from experience that once my body gets used to this, I won't be nearly as sore. If nothing else, the soreness is a nice mental satisfaction thing of, "Hey, I'm finally getting up off my lazy ass and doing this." My goal is modest and straightforward: to be in better shape physically by my next birthday in June. Nine months is a reasonable timetable.

Dorky me, I just thought to use the computer right in front of me to check out various foods that would be a good substitute for bananas. It turns out that both tuna and tomatoes, both of which I LOVE, are good for post workout meals. I am thinking lovely tuna and tomato sandwiches on wheat rolls/wheat bread. Mmmm..... Plus the campari tomatoes I've been snacking on just because they're yummy and a perfect snack.

Okay, off to the store. In my "pajamas." (Beer pajama pants and a "Fuck BP" t-shirt.) Yes, it's Saturday night in Key West, and this is what I'm doing.

[Whiskey]

It's not great, but it's quick, it's easy, it's cheap, and it's far healthier than, say, fast food, which I really don't eat anyway. More to the point, it's protein!

Okay, off to the store. In my "pajamas." (Beer pajama pants and a "Fuck BP" t-shirt.) Yes, it's Saturday night in Key West, and this is what I'm doing.

True its what i had for lunch. Flat bread oven breast chicken :P Oh the sodium! I didnt even realize it was saturday night. If you do it post work out, try it wrapped in lettuce leaves. Lower carbs, better for you.

[MaggieTheCat]

I'm allergic to bananas.

You too!? Wow, someone else who has this weird allergy! I'm not fatally allergic to them either, but my entire head (nose, throat, eyes, ears, scalp) starts itching terribly and I get bad chest pains to boot. With my other allergies, I only get the itchiness (mostly) and not the pain, so bananas are definitely my worst allergy.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I am pretty sure cantelope has more potassium than bananas.


Yeah. Here's a link.

[Jester]

If you do it post work out, try it wrapped in lettuce leaves. Lower carbs, better for you.

I am working out, and trying to eat a little healthier than normal (though my normal diet is pretty damn healthy), but I am not going to go overboard with the diet thing. I'm a foodie. That will not change.

You too!? Wow, someone else who has this weird allergy! I'm not fatally allergic to them either, but my entire head (nose, throat, eyes, ears, scalp) starts itching terribly and I get bad chest pains to boot.

You have it far worse than me. All that happens with me is the back of my throat gets this weird scratchy feeling that I can't shake. I can eat probably half a banana and be fine, but a full one...no.

Amusingly, that is my worst food allergy, but only because it is my ONLY food allergy. By contrast, I have many, many hayfever type allergies, which were far worse when I lived in the Northeast than they have ever been in Arizona or Florida.

I am pretty sure cantelope has more potassium than bananas.

Yeah. Here's a link.

Seriously? Fuck YEAH! That is awesome! Not only do I love cantaloupe, but while at the store I bought a mixed fruit bowl that was heavy on the melons, including cantaloupe. Hmmmm....this answers one question and raises another. This tells me that the high potassium of bananas is not what causes my allergic reaction. It also makes me wonder why people say to eat bananas after workouts and not cantaloupe....and reading that link I notice that several of my favorite fruits/veggies are actually higher in potassium than bananas, including mangoes, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

So....what's the big deal about bananas, then, other than their built-in package and lack of messiness? How'd they get this great post-workout reputation when clearly so many other foods will provide just as much potassium if not more? Is it something bananas have besides the potassium? Hmmmmm.....

[Whiskey]

I am working out, and trying to eat a little healthier than normal (though my normal diet is pretty damn healthy), but I am not going to go overboard with the diet thing. I'm a foodie. That will not change.

So....what's the big deal about bananas, then, other than their built-in package and lack of messiness? How'd they get this great post-workout reputation when clearly so many other foods will provide just as much potassium if not more? Is it something bananas have besides the potassium? Hmmmmm.....

have you seen half my posts. I'm a foodie and (99%) of the time I eat an extremely healthy diet. Also, bananas are easy. You can shove 2 bananas in a gym bag on your way out. Cantaloupe you have to cut and whatever. Plus bananas are in "season" all year around.

[Jester]

have you seen half my posts. I'm a foodie and (99%) of the time I eat an extremely healthy diet. Also, bananas are easy. You can shove 2 bananas in a gym bag on your way out. Cantaloupe you have to cut and whatever. Plus bananas are in "season" all year around.

I think you may have misunderstood me. Or not. Never sure anymore.

In any case, what I was saying was that I am a foodie, and basically do eat healthy, but am not going to go overboard with the "must eat healthy" idea...going to enjoy my food, my sauces, etc. I don't know if this makes any more sense, but I'm trying. (Just ask anyone who knows me....I'm very trying!)

Good point on bananas. But luckily I live in a place where I can get most fruits year round, plus mangoes are native here, so have plenty of those, too.

Okay, still not awake. I am going to go mumble nonsense elsewhere....

[dalesys]

So....what's the big deal about bananas, then, other than their built-in package and lack of messiness?...

The shape!