The Best Food for Magical Muscle Cramping Relief

This isn’t some fancy, difficult to acquire food or ingredient. Nothing you have to search tirelessly for around your nearest health food store. You probably even have it sitting on your counter or in your freezer right at this very moment... 

I’m talking about bananas! This fruit is used worldwide to soothe stomachs, balance digestion, and provide the necessary amounts of potassium and magnesium that the body needs to function. 

Potassium and magnesium are essential for keeping muscles, ligaments, and joints healthy and lubricated. Creaky, squeaky joints can be helped tremendously by ensuring the correct amount of magnesium and potassium are getting into your diet. Potassium helps treat muscle soreness, part of the reason why it's never a bad idea to reach for a banana after you’ve worked up a sweat or done some mobility training. 

The glycogen contained in bananas also helps to rebuild and regenerate muscle, making it useful for muscle growth and recovery, while diminishing muscle aches post-workout. 

Bananas make an excellent post-workout recovery option. And, even more apeel-ing (see what I did there?) bananas are so versatile - eat with your favorite nut butter, add to oatmeal, whip up a smoothie - you can do almost anything with fresh or frozen bananas. 

My recipe for a delicious Post-Workout Muscle-Hydrating Smoothie is super simple: 

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ cup coconut water

1 ripe banana

1 cup pineapple (frozen or fresh)

1 cup mangoes (frozen or fresh)

1 lemon wedge (with skin)

1-2 scoops protein powder (I use Dr. Forest Organic Raw Cold Pressed Vegan Plant Protein Powder)

Add all ingredients to the blender and mix until you've reached your desired consistency. If it's too thick, add more coconut water and blend more. Enjoy!
Best for after workouts to rehydrate, replenish, and repair muscles.

Do you have a favorite style of banana consumption? Share your best banana recipes and snacking tips with me and the #yogaprehab community on Instagram!