As Bingley-Pullin puts it, foods packed with protein, coupled with complex carbohydrates, should be on your to-eat list after a flushed-face cardio burn. Not only that, but Bingley-Pullin says healthy fats can also assist with satiety.

Once you finish a rigorous workout, your body is in recovery mode so, as Bingley-Pullin tells us, it’s necessary to prevent muscle-tissue breakdown.

“Protein is critical for muscle repair and recovery coupled with complex carbohydrates to restore glycogen levels, which the body has used for energy,” she explains.

“Eating well post-workout prevents dips in energy later on and controls insatiable appetite. Plus, eating and drinking well also replaces fluid and electrolyte losses.”

As Bingley-Pullin suggests, the ideal time to eat following a workout is 30-45mins after you’ve finished exercising.

“During this time, the body is essentially primed to rebuild and repair,” she says. “This means the enzymes responsible for glycogen production are very active and eating soon after exercise takes advantage of this!”

OK, what but can we actually eat?

• Whole oats
• Brown rice
• Quinoa
• Buckwheat/quinoa pasta
• Sweet potato
• Sourdough/rye/soy and linseed bread
• Fruit – like a banana
• Coconut water
• Legumes – like chickpeas, lentils, red kidney beans and mixed beans

• Avocado
• Extra Virgin Olive oil
• Raw nuts/seeds
• Tahini/nut butter

• Salmon/tuna
• Eggs
• Raw nuts/seeds
• Poached chicken
• Natural yoghurt
• Soft cheese eg. cottage cheese/ricotta
• Legumes – chickpea, lentils, mixed beans
• Tofu/tempeh
• Hummus
• Pea or sprouted brown rice protein – vegan

Text: Ellie McDonald/Woman’s Day