Skiing is a workout. Think about it, you’re basically squatting and lunging all day—at elevation, mind you. Whether you’re a recreational skier who only hits the hill 10 days a year or a diehard up for dawn patrols, skiing saps the body of energy and leaves the you feeling depleted.
What your body wants after a day on the hill is food to replenish those energy stores. You may be craving chili cheese fries or pizza, but that’s not what your body wants—that’s what you want.
According to Allen Tran, former High Performance Chef and Dietician for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, your body wants foods packed with protein and healthy fats. Foods that will not only satisfy hunger, but promote muscle and joint recovery.
“Protein supports your muscles and your exercise gains,” Tran explains. “So making sure you have good amounts of protein at every meal and in your recovery snacks is important. That’s especially true if you’re an older athlete, since your body becomes less efficient at absorbing protein as you age.”