What to eat after a workout:br Because of this, one's dietary objectives following a workout should be replenishing lost nutrients and eating foods that aid in muscle recovery, says Caroline Susie, a registered dietician and national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She explains that eating carbs refuels lost energy and "replenishes lost glycogen stores" that the body has tapped into and used during one's workout. The body's glycogen stores are a form of glucose stored in one's muscles and liver tissue that the body uses after more readily available glucose has been depleted during exercise.br br What not to eat after a workout:br As important as it is to eat the right foods following exercise, it's also vital to avoid the wrong ones. "Sugary foods and drinks and foods high in saturated fats or hydrogenated oils should be avoided," says Olendzki. She also suggests ditching nutrient-empty fare like junk food and fried food, plus overly processed items. "These foods will inhibit muscle building and increase soreness," she says.