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" You&amp;#039;ve just finished an awesome workout and your body is craving something to eat, but what&amp;#039;s the best choice? Dawn Jackson Blatner, RDN, CSSD, LDN, a certified specialist in sports dietetics and nutrition consultant for the Chicago Cubs, says first and foremost you need to drink water \u2014 before, during, and after your workout. For real, DRINK WATER! Once the workout is over, your body will also be craving two other things: carbs and protein. The carbs will replenish the fuel (glycogen) you just burned, and the protein will repair your muscles. Dawn advises that you should eat your snack within 30 minutes of your workout and keep that snack right around 200 calories for an average 45-60 minute workout. Alright, so you know you need carbs and protein at ~200 calories within 30 minutes, but what are some good snacks that fit the bill? It can be as simple as an apple and a handful of nuts, a banana and a small 2% latte, or a yummy super seed bar stashed in your gym bag.  But if you want something more special, here are 12 more ideas for post-workout snacks that combine both carbs and protein, making it super easy to get your recovery on.  Bars and Bites  These peanut butter bites are low in calories and high on fiber and protein. Also: sprinkles! Make Skinny Peanut Butter Granola Bites from Inside BruCrew Life  These pumpkin bites are PACKED with fiber and vitamins, giving you all kinds of energy. You might want to even keep on working out. (#yeahright) Make Pumpkin Spice Energy Bites from Oh My Veggies These date balls are perfect grab-and-go treats when you have somewhere to be, and are great after a run. Make Date Balls from Very Culinary Save some cash on those great but pricey Larabars and just make &amp;#039;em yourself! Make Homemade Larabars from 52 Kitchen Adventures  These granola bar bites are as easy to make as they are to eat. Like, supereasy. Make No Bake Granola Bar Bites from Like Mother Like Daughter Smoothies  Cherries, bananas, yogurt, and protein power, combine in a most delicious way in this smoothie. Make Skinny Cherry Banana Smoothie from Inside BruCrew Life  This shake is so simple you can throw it together even when you feel like collapsing on the floor after an impossible barre class.  Make Blueberry Protein Shake from Spabettie  Packed with protein and antioxidants, this is the ultimate recovery shake. Is there anything NOT improved by avocado? Make Avocado Green Tea Power Shake from All Day I Dream About Food  This protein smoothie is packed with kale, but doesn&amp;#039;t taste at all healthy. That really is the best way to enjoy your health food. Science. Make Chocolate and Kale Protein Smoothie from Yummy Healthy Easy Other Great Post-Recovery Snacks  Want something savory and a little more hearty post-workout? These pizza bites are for you! Make Quinoa Pizza Bites from Nosh and Nourish  Filling, sweet, and fast, this quinoa fruit salad is where it&amp;#039;s at. Make Quinoa Fruit Salad from The Little Ferraro Kitchen  If you like things a little spicy, these edamame bring the heat and are completely addictive.  Make Spicy Roasted Edamame from Busy in Brooklyn Jane Maynard is a food blogger at This Week for Dinner and Babble, a writer and designer, and a lover of all things chocolate. This post originally appeared on Cosmopolitan.  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.redbookmag.com/food-recipes/advice/a16912/great-post-workout-snacks-cosmo/>