It was Greek physician, Hippocrates, who said, “let food be thy medicine,” and to that, we say: hear, hear!

Nutrition plays a major role in the health and physical potential of every individual. It’s for this very reason that each of our 40 BODYTEC studios offers completely free nutritional guidelines to help improve your fitness results.

One sure way of improving strength training is to allow yourself adequate time and nutrients for muscle recovery.

With every training session, our muscles take strain, which not only teaches our bodies to exceed its limits but trains them to become stronger and more resilient.

Without adequate time and nutrients to recover, our bodies can’t advance to a stronger, more enduring stage of fitness than before.

Here are 5 foods, jam-packed with nutrients to help you improve your overall health but that are especially good to consume when you’re in recovery mode:

1. Coconut

Coconut meat doesn’t just taste delicious, it’s a great source of manganese. This assists in the formation of protein and helps the body replenish red blood cells. Eating coconut meat can help you relax your muscles and even avoid cramps.

2. Honey

Studies have found that honey not only contains antibacterial properties but that it is highly effective in reducing inflammation. What a sweet way to heal – just be sure to go for the organic kind and consume it in moderation.

3. Pineapple

Another great anti-inflammatory food – the stem and juice of pineapple contains an enzyme called Bromelain, which has often been used as a natural remedy for reducing inflammation and swelling.

4. Lemon

Experiencing cramps or muscle spasms? Drinking lemon water will help since lemon contains potassium, which supports muscle function and keeps our hearts healthy. Add a slice of lemon to your water bottle before your next training session.

5. Almonds

Here’s a snack to always keep in your gym bag. Not only are almonds a good source of protein, but they also contain antioxidants to help you fight fatigue.

Do you have a muscle-strengthening food to add to the list? Share it with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.