How to refuel after a day on the ski slopes
| 2 min read
The snow is starting to stick across the state, which means ski season is officially here! In fact, most ski resorts in Michigan are opening their trails this week, giving you and the family the chance to get outdoors and stay active this winter. The best part is that skiing isn’t just fun–shredding down the hill on your skis or snowboard could burn nearly 1,500 calories before lunchtime, which explains why being on the slopes can quickly drain your energy and dehydrate you.
To help your body recover properly and stay energized, you should drink water as often as possible and eat within 30 minutes of your last run. A good rule of thumb for an après-ski meal is to have 15 to 30 grams of protein and 30 to 90 grams of carbs.
Unfortunately, ski lodge food options can be a bit limited and sometimes resemble a mall food court. Our suggestion: Instead of picking the slice of cheese pizza and fries, opt for one of these high-protein, balanced meals.
- Bowl of turkey chili with a whole-wheat roll and a fruit cup to get a filling and warm meal before heading back out after lunch.
- Chicken burrito with beans and rice for a full load of fiber, protein and carbs. Add a banana or another piece of fruit for even more energy.
- Grilled chicken sandwich, baked chips and a piece of fruit is a high-protein, high-carb combo that won’t weigh you down.
- Only need a snack? Chocolate milk has the ideal protein-to-carbohydrate ratio to help muscles recover and provides the calcium every athlete needs.
And if you and the family need to stock up on ski apparel and equipment, visit HealthyBlueXtras.com to get discounts at some of your favorite Michigan retailers, including Dunham’s Sports and Moosejaw.
Photo credit: tomkellyphoto
