(1 comments)

What’s Better After Exercise, Cereal or a Sports Drink?

Skip the sports drink—eat your Wheaties!

In a recent study, researchers at the University of Texas at Austin tested whether a snack of ready-to-eat cereal and skim milk is as effective at aiding muscle recovery as a sports drink. Turns out, the cereal results bowled them over.

In the study, 12 cyclists fasted for 12 hours, then rode for two hours. Afterward, they were served either cereal and skim milk containing 74 grams of carbohydrate and 18 grams of protein or a sports drink containing 70 grams of carbohydrate. Consumption of cereal plus milk replenished energy stores (muscle glycogen and protein storage), plus it helped with muscle recovery. The sports drink without any protein did not.

For maximum benefits, fill your bowl with the same good stuff used in the study: a 100% whole wheat cereal, such as Wheaties, and nonfat (skim) milk.