Do you ever have burning muscle pain after an intense workout? Read this guide in which I rank the best food for muscle recovery, which I guarantee will not only take your fatigue away but also get you back in the gym stronger and quicker. 

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What is the Best Food for Muscle Recovery?

A bowl of fruit

When it comes to minimizing post-workout muscle soreness and speeding up recovery time, salmon is your best bet.

#1 Salmon

Salmon is the godfather when it comes to muscle recovery.

It’s a three-in-one muscle-repair, inflammation-fighting, and health-promoting powerhouse thanks to its high protein, omega-3 fatty acid, and vitamin D content.

Salmon’s protein helps repair muscle cells by boosting muscle protein synthesis. The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon can also help lessen muscle soreness and inflammation.

best food for muscle recovery

Salmon Top benefits

  • Omega-3 fatty acids in it help reduce inflammation.
  • Offers vitamin D for overall health and muscle function.
  • Low in mercury and other poisons
  • A food that can be cooked in a variety of ways.

My Take on Salmon

Salmon is a must if you want to help your muscles recover. It’s a game-changer for post-workout meals because it has a lot of protein and omega-3s. As a bonus, its tasty flavor and adaptability make it a welcome addition to any dish.

Evander’s personal opinion

If you’re trying to gain muscle, recover faster from workouts, and improve your overall health, eating salmon after your workout is a great idea.

#2 Quinoa

Credit: HealthNut Nutrition

Quinoa is the secret weapon of muscle recovery foods. The fact that it contains all the essential amino acids and is high in fiber and antioxidants only adds to its already impressive list of benefits. Plus, it doesn’t contain gluten, so it’s a great choice for people with special diets. 

Quinoa has essential amino acids that are important for muscle growth, and the fiber in it can help with digestion and overall health.

Quinoa Top benefits

  • A protein that has all the necessary amino acids.
  • Rich in fiber for digestive health
  • Antioxidant-rich for general well-being.
  • Gluten-free
  • Somewhat like salt, it can be used in many different kinds of dishes.

My Take on Quinoa

quinoa food for muscle recovery

Quinoa is a must-have in my post-workout meals. There are plenty of helpful vitamins and minerals here that will aid in muscle repair.

It has a lot of protein and complex carbs, which help my body heal faster after hard workouts.

Evander’s personal opinion

For those who must avoid gluten, this is a wonderful alternative. I’ve found that eating quinoa has helped my muscles recover faster and given me more energy for my next workout.

#3 Eggs

Eggs are well-known to promote muscle recovery and for good reason. They contain a lot of high-quality protein, which helps repair muscles.

Eggs’ protein content can also help with a process called muscle protein synthesis, which is vital for bulking up. Eggs are an excellent food choice because they provide both healthy fats and vitamin D, both of which are crucial to good health.

Eggs Top benefits

  • High-quality protein to help build muscle mass
  • Good source of healthful fats
  • Provides vitamin D for general health and muscle function
  • Inexpensive and useful substance
  • Can be cooked in many ways

My Take on Eggs

Eggs are a classic food for building muscle, and everyone should eat them after working out. Their high-quality protein and healthy fats make them an excellent choice for repairing muscle damage

Evander’s personal opinion

You will have a hard time finding a personal trainer who doesn’t tell you to eat eggs.  Eggs are a the mother of all protein bombs and are great for building strength. I eat at least one egg every day, either cooked or mixed into my dinner.

#4 Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is a great food for muscle recovery, thanks to its high protein and casein content.

Cottage cheese is a great food for muscle recovery, thanks to its high protein and casein content.

Casein is a protein that is broken down slowly. Over time, it helps repair and rebuild muscle tissue. Also, it has a lot of calcium and not much fat or calories.

cottage cheese muscle reparation food

Cottage Cheese Top benefits

  • Calcium is good for your health in general.
  • Rich in protein and casein, which help muscles grow and heal.
  • Almost fat- and calorie-free
  • A versatile ingredient that can be used in several dishes.

My Take on Cottage Cheese

After a workout, cottage cheese is my go-to food. It’s a healthier alternative to protein bars thanks to its high protein and casein content, which aids in muscle repair and restoration. Its increased calcium content has been great for my health.

Evander’s personal opinion

In my experience, eating cottage cheese after a workout helps reduce muscle soreness and speeds up the recovery process. 

It’s tasty, flexible, and healthy, so I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to speed up their recovery after a workout.

#5 Greek Yogurt

This is another great food for muscle recovery, thanks to its high protein and probiotic content. It’s also a good source of calcium and vitamin D, which are essential for muscle function. It’s also low in fat and a natural source of whey protein.

Greek Yogurt Top benefits

  • High-protein foods help boost muscle recovery.
  • High in muscle-supporting calcium and vitamin D.
  • Benefits your digestive system with probiotics.
  • reduced-fat and calorie content
  • A food that can be cooked in a variety of ways.

My Take on Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt has played an important role in my post-exercise recovery routine. It’s full of high-quality protein that helps repair and rebuild muscle tissue.

This makes it perfect for people who work out hard and lift weights.

On top of that, it helps with digestion and boosts your health thanks to the probiotics it contains. Yogurt is a great post-workout snack because it helps my muscles recover quickly and lessens the likelihood of cramping.

It’s perfect for recovering from intense exercise and weight training. 

tip:

If you want to make your yogurt an even better workout recovery nutrition, why not add some nuts and berries to it?

#6 Berries

This brings us to number five on the list: berries. Berries may seem like an unexpected food for muscle recovery,

but they’re packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which can help to decrease muscle soreness.

They are rich in vitamin C, which is necessary for the synthesis of collagen and thus for the repair of damaged muscle tissue. Because of their high fiber content and low-calorie content, berries are an excellent choice for a post-workout snack or meal.

Berries Top benefits

  • Reduces muscle soreness with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
  • Good source of vitamin C, which helps make collagen.
  • Few calories and a lot of fiber
  • A multipurpose ingredient
  • They are tasty and can be eaten on their own or added to meals.

My Take on Berries

I’ve been eating berries after working out for a few months now and let me tell you, it’s made a huge difference in how quickly my muscles recover! Not only do they add a burst of delicious flavor to my meals, but they also pack a powerful punch of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that help to fight inflammation in my muscle cells.

This means that my muscles are healing faster, and I barely feel any muscle soreness. I swear by the power of berries to aid muscle recovery! 

Evander’s personal opinion

I highly recommend adding them to your post-exercise meals, trust me, you won’t regret it! It’s like a secret weapon that gives you a fast recovery and great taste!

#7 Spinach

This leafy green vegetable is packed with nutrients essential for overall health and recovery. Additionally, spinach also boosts immunity!

Spinach Top Benefits

  • Antioxidants and anti-inflammatories reduce muscle soreness.
  • High in vitamin K, which is necessary for strong bones.
  • Rich in iron, which the body needs to carry oxygen around.
  • Low in calories and rich in fiber
  • Can be eaten raw or cooked, making it a versatile ingredient.

My Take on Spinach

spinach for building muscle

I never liked spinach, but lately, I’ve been sneaking it into my meals after working out and let me tell you, it’s made a huge difference in how quickly my muscles heal!

When I work out hard, the high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds protect my muscles like a shield. I also noticed that when I mix spinach with tart cherry juice and sweet potatoes, it’s like hitting the recovery jackpot.

It fills up my glycogen stores faster, so my muscles feel fresh and ready to go in no time. 

Evander’s personal opinion

Spinach is a secret weapon that I highly recommend to anyone who wants to speed up the recovery of their muscles.


Wrapping up

Including these seven foods in your diet can help reduce muscle soreness and provide the nutrients you need to power through your next workout.

Post-workout meal options like salmon, quinoa, eggs, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, berries, and spinach are all highly recommended.

They have a lot of protein, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds, all of which help repair and grow muscles, reduce muscle soreness and improve health in general.

Remember that rest and hydration are just as important to recovery as good nutrition; get plenty of sleep and drink lots of water.

Don’t wait any longer. Start eating these foods now and you’ll see results quickly!

FAQ

Salmon, quinoa, eggs, cottage cheese, greek yogurt, blueberries, and spinach

It depends on the intensity of your workouts and how quickly you need to recover. In general, aim for eating 4-6 meals per day with a focus on nutrient-dense foods that provide essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins.