Recovery Drink?

Dani53

Dani53

Cathlete
Does anyone use any sort of recovery drink/supplement i.e. Cytomax or the like? I did years ago, but not lately. I wonder how much it really helps. P90X pushes theirs, but the nutritional content varies quite a bit from Cytomax Recovery. Anyone understand the differance, or why one thing would be more important than another on two products that claim to be for the same thing?
 
I use Emergen-C powder in a huge huge glass of filtered water during most of my workouts, then finish it off after I'm done. It has some vitamin C, maybe 15 calories, other vitamins and a few minerals. It's just more enticing during a tough workout than plain water and mixing it up is part of my ritual. My favorite flavors are the Super Orange and the Cranberry. They also have some "Lite" versions that have less sugar, but I can live with 15 calories while I do Imax or Cmax. It makes me feel great.

They don't appear to have a website, but here is a bit of a description: I've been using it for years.

http://www.herbshop.com/emergen_c.htm
 
Thanks! I found the nutritional information and it is very similar. I hate when things get so confusing. Trying to figure out why one thing is so much higher in an ingredient than another, and why that is important. Then to average out the cost, yikes! It looks like Emergen-C is a bit more affordable, substantially less in calories, and no fat....that is if I am reading things correctly.

Again, does anyone feel that this sort of thing truly helps with recovery, or makes them feel more ready to go full force the next day?
 
I'm in favor of a good high-carb snack (plus a little protein and fat) after working out to replenish lost glycogen. I do notice a difference if I eat within an hour or two of working out - more energy that day and the next, and often less muscle soreness.

I was really surprised when I checked out the nutritional info on the P90X post-workout drink and saw that most of the carbs are sugar - 38 of 41 grams, and the first two ingredients listed are glucose and fructose. A piece of fruit, some oatmeal and a glass of milk/soy milk would provide better carbs, better protein, more fiber and more natural vitamins than that drink, IMHO.

Allison
 
Allison is right. You can make a recovery "concoction" out of more nutritious, less expensive foods. You just have to have the knowlege regarding food, as Allison does. Sugar post workout is the only time I can take in simple sugars and feel good about it.:)


Janice
 
AND, Allison's concoction is REAL FOOD, which is the most important factor. Of course, if you are crunched for time, a recovery drink is probably very useful and ideal.

Janice
 
I also often use Emergen-C in my water while I'm working out, or a similar vitamin C mix from Nature's Plus called "Potent-C Energy", especially with heavy weight workouts. From what I've been reading, it's important to furnish some carbohydrates and protein to your body within a 2-hour period after working out, and recently I've read that the sooner the better (within 5 minutes or so).

I've looked at the macronutrient breakdown (protein, fat, carbs) of the Beachbody recovery drink, and discovered that a soy beverage called "Power Dream" that I like has a similar breakdown, as well as added vitamins and minerals. I've gotten into the habit of having a Power Dream Extreme Chocolate after my workouts.
 
Great question. Years and years ago (prob. about 10 years or so) I used to drink cytomax when I trained for races. It definitely worked and I'm not surprised it is still on the market, but I don't drink it anymore. The reason is that Cytomax is mostly sugar (it is high in carbohydrates) and I don't have the metabolism I had 10 years ago plus I don't do hours and hours of cardio as I did back then. I agree that you can make your own recovery drink (I would love some ideas people). I usually have a protein shake 30 mins after my workouts, but I don't think that counts as a recovery drink though.
 
Allison, thanks so much for the input! Color me stupid, but could you give some other ideas for a post workout recovery type snack? I love oatmeal, and would happily eat this if I worked out super early and it was just as much of a breakfast. Lately though I have not been able to get my act together until more like 10 or 11ish, and it would be good to get a mid morning type thing.

I agree with the sugar thoughts posted, and that is why I am questioning this. Especially with more clean eating and avoiding sugar. I was thinking on a long hard mountain bike ride perhaps, but not necessarily on a basic Cathe workout. I just think I like the idea of giving your body something right away to help with any soreness the next day....recovering better.
 
I've been using Silk Chocolate Soy milk for my recovery drink this week until I found something better. It has the near perfect 4:1 carbs to protein ratio that BB recommends and I figure it's a little healthier than theirs (but probably not much, lol).
 
Hmm, other snacks:

I love oatmeal - sometimes I eat it raw, mixed with cold milk, and I add pieces of nuts. Protein, carbs and good fat all in one!

Half a bagel with peanut butter and banana; just about anything you can stuff in a pita (meat, eggs, feta, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, sprouts) and a piece of fruit; a yogurt smoothie with plain yogurt and whatever fruit you have in the house, plus some wheat germ for crunch; half a turkey, chicken or tuna sandwich with salad greens and a handful of raisins...must be some other ideas out there!

I'm not against meal replacement drinks, protein powder or snack bars, because they are fast and easy, but I think you pay way too much for what they give you.

As you can see from this list, I'm CERTAINLY not low-carb either!;-)

Allison
 
Mogambo....I never thought to drink EmergenC during a workout...what a wonderful idea. I buy the stuff by the case and used to use it extensively for reoccurent infections years ago. GREAT idea!!! I like the sugar free plain kind...I just don't like really sweet stuff and the regular is too sweet "tasting" for my tastes - whatever flavor. (incidently...my kids love the cola kind - yuck).

I LIVE for my post workout shake. It is not lo cal, but it tastes awesome and it keeps me full until late in the afternoon. I have to "make" myself eat something around lunch, like a light salad and 1/2 a can of sardines or something with protein around 2-3 pm.

3/4 cups tropical fruit V-8 diet juice
3/4 cups plain yogurt (I make it homemade, but doesn't matter....dannon's good)
One small frozen banana
One scoop protein powder (I use Nature's Basic Plain whey protein)
2-3 Tblps fresh ground flax seed
1-2 Tbls organic coconut milk (very good for you!!)

Mix it in vitamix or blender and drink right away.

Briee
 
I oftentimes just use milk and fruit mixed with yogurt. You get all kinds of sugars in that. If I really want the simple simple stuff, I will put in a half packet or so of Carnation Instant Breakfast. I also put in cottage cheese (it is good) and protein powder, depending on what activity I just did.


At lunchtime, I eat tortillas with refried beans and lean beef chili and green onions. When you really think about how all nutrients "end up" in your system, a recovery "drink" is not all that useful.

Natural peanut butter is a must in my diet, and like Allison, I enjoy a slice of toast or half a bagel with peanut butter and sliced banana with 8oz. skim milk. I cannot eat peanut butter without milk.

I just try to make sure I have carbs, protein, and a little fat. If I did IMAX, I will treat myself to extra carbs..possibly very simple ones. If I did P90X chest/back, I will concentrate more on the protein aspect and add a little bit more to whatever I am eating.

Eating for recovery is so simple once you figure it out!!:) I probably eat my best after workouts...as the evening goes on it just goes downhill from there...LOL!!!

Janice
 
After a long weight lifting session (usually every day) I treat myself to my favorite meal replacement (10+ years now-basically since it came on the market) which is Metrx. I love the chocolate flavor the best. It has protein, calcium (i eat dairy but I never seem to eat enough to get 100% RDA, so this really helps me get enough calcium because I hate vitamins) and other nutrients. It is low in sugar too. It really seems to help me build muscle quickly.
 
Briee

I don't have much of a sweet tooth either. I mix the packet of Super Orange with 32 oz. of filtered water, so it barely flavors it. If I don't finish sipping it during the workout, I finish it all off afterwards. Then, I sometimes eat some protein after the workout, especially if it's weights. I mix a bit of protein powder with soy milk or soy kefir into an apple-sauce consistency. That's my usual "shake". Why? I hate cleaning the blender, and I can't deal with any more liquid!! I just mix this other stuff up in a glass.

All these ideas are great!
 
RE: Briee

I got this info on a bunch of different weight lifting websites and forums a few months ago(do a search for "homemade recovery drink").

This was the most common homemade recovery drink. (This portion is for males)

25 grams Protien
66 grams carbohydrate
.5 fat

The favorite and most recommened carb was Dextrose or gatorade (powder form) as it was the fastest to absorb and that's what you want in a recovery drink.

whey protien was the most common protein and people also added in some creatine.


My mix is:

15 grams whey protein
8 teas. of dextrose (get and health food store)
6 oz water
1 tea. creatine (sometimes)

It's sweet and goes down in a hurry. I eat a well balance breakfast about 1/2 hr. later.

Also wanted to add:
When my husband went to the health food store to buy a Pre-made recovery drink, A guy that worked there (a body builder) said, "Don't buy one, make your own." He told my husband to use dextrose and whey protein.
 
RE: Mogambo

Okay that explains it. (I didn't think you were a sweet tooth either). When I took Emergen C for my infections I would mix 2-3 packets to about 4-6 oz of water and drink it every few hours, so obviously the sweet stuff would make me gag in that strength. I have never diluted it that much...have to try it with the super orange :9 :9 :9 .

Anyone...do you really need that many carbs post workout??? 66 is more then I get in some days. When I eat carbs and sugars in general I get really moody and shakey (almost wired so to speak). I know everyone is sick of the "lo carb" rigamarole, but I for one am enjoying the stuff I can actually eat now from locarb tortillas to .........just about anything NOW..... and I remain very stable. No mood swings etc. Guess it has to do the glycemic index more so than the carb thing, but they are very related. I actually saw a bottle of Vodka in Walmart the other day (no I'm not a drinker) that said Lo carb on it - oh brother - everybodies cashing in. Next thing I'll see is a pack of cigarettes that say lo carb x( x( x( .

Briee
 
RE: Mogambo

I enjoy a Myoplex Lite Chocolate flavored shake blended in the blender with 1 tbs. natural peanut butter....throw in a few ice cubes and pour into a freezer cup...yum! I also count this as a mini meal. I've used other chocolate flavored meal replacement shakes also or chocolate flavored protein powder.:7
 
RE: Briee

>I hate >cleaning the blender, and I can't deal with any more liquid!!
>

If you can deal with more liquid, here's the easiest way in the world to clean the blender: after you pour out your drink, fill the blender about 1/2 to 2/3 full with water, add a touch of dishwashing liquid, and blend for a few seconds. Rinse and drain. Unless I have something really thick and chunky, I never have to take apart the blade, rubber ring, stand and all that to wash my blender.

This has been Allison with your housework tip of the day!;)
 
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