Fitness fanatics take note: According to a new study, the next time you are in need of a nutritious boost, you should dip into a bowl of whole-grain cereal rather than sports drinks like PowerAde or Gatorade.
Researchers maintain that a small bowl of whole-grain cereal is as good as a sports drink for recovery after exercise. Fitness physiologists say they found that readily available and relatively inexpensive breakfast food is as effective as popular, carbohydrate-based “sports drinks.”
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin recently studied post-exercise physiological effects of foods with the help of 12 trained cyclists, 8 male and 4 female. After a warm-up period, the subjects cycled for two hours at a comfortable work rate, rather than pushing themselves to exhaustion.
The researchers goal: Compare whole grain cereal plus skim milk—-which are ordinary foods—-and sports drinks, after moderate exercise.
“We wanted to understand their relative effects on glycogen repletion and muscle protein synthesis for the average individual,” the study’s lead author noted. “We found that glycogen repletion, or the replenishment of immediate muscle fuel, was just as good after whole grain cereal consumption and that some aspects of protein synthesis were actually better.”
Even more noteworthy to budget-conscious exercisers is the fact that cereal and no-fat milk are less expensive options than sports drinks.
“The milk provides a source of easily digestible and high quality protein, which can promote protein synthesis and training adaptations, making this an attractive recovery option for those who refuel at home,” according to researchers.
Bottom line: If you are an amateur athlete, who is trying to keep in shape, you’re better off digging into a quick bowl of whole-grain cereal with a splash of skim milk than paying big bucks for high-priced sports drinks.
Some recommended cereals made with high levels of whole grains include:
Cheerios
Chex, Wheat or Multi Grain
Grape Nuts
Grape Nut Flakes
Great Grains, all varieties
Healthy Choice Mueslix
Healthy Choice Almond Crunch with Raisins
Healthy Choice Low Fat Granola
Kashi (all varieties)
Shredded Wheat
Total
Wheaties
Related Articles:
Creating an Affordable Fitness Plan