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There seems to be some debate about whether chocolate is good after a workout. It does have the sugar, but it also contains fat, so it may take longer for the glucose to be absorbed, thereby slowing down your recovery. But, on the upside, cocoa has antioxidants as well as epicatechin, a nutrient that is known to widen blood vessels to increase blood flow. A good compromise is to hit the stores around Halloween and stock up on those mini chocolate candy bars. Low fat chocolate milk, on the other hand, gets a big thumbs up for a post-workout assist. Themilk adds the protein and the chocolate kicks in the carbs (sugar). The key here is to keep it low fat. The same goes for ice cream if that’s your go-to sweet. When it comes to properly restoring your fuel, post workout, not all sweets are not created equal. Doughnuts, cookies, cake and pastries contain a lot of fat and can slow down the absorption of nutrients… which these foods have little of to begin with. Your body will recover but not as well as it would with healthier carbs and protein like fruits and nuts, and, when the craving hits, candy. Now that you know you can eat candy guilt-free after your workout, keep in mind that the same is not true prior to exercise. Consuming simple carbs will cause a spike in blood sugar that, at the very least, will degrade your performance and can lead to fatigue, dizziness and hypoglycemia. Better to aim for low glycemic index carbs from whole foods like fruits and vegetables. Other goods choices, particularly for a morning workout, are oatmeal and nut butters combined with fruits like blueberries or bananas. But keep that candy handy for when you need it most. Eileen Seiler, owner of Fraze, is a freelance writer and editor based in Hatboro, PA. Nutrition Quarterly · 2020 – Volume 4 12 What We’re Reading