The Best Recovery Drinks For Your Overall Health

We have done everything possible to ensure that our list of recovery drink recommendations covers all bases. If you are based in the US, you’ll be able to find all our suggestions with relative ease.

However, we understand that everybody is different. What works for one person’s recovery drink may not work for you. As such, we think it is very important for you to make up your own mind and pick a recovery drink based on your own body’s needs and preferences. That is why we have included a list of factors you may want to check before making your purchase.

There are countless recovery drinks currently on the market - be sure to use the information below to make an informed decision.

Things to consider before buying a recovery drink

There are a number of things to consider before making your next recovery drink purchase. We don’t want you to waste your hard-earned money on a product that does not benefit you. Make sure you keep the following factors in mind when choosing your recovery drink. Remember - no two recovery drinks are exactly the same!

Hydration

One of the most important things to consider with any recovery drink is how well it hydrates you. People lose a lot of water through sweating when they work out. You want to adequately replace these fluids to avoid any negative effects as you go about your day post-workout.

We suggest weighing yourself before and after exercise. For every pound you lose, drink around 3 cups of fluid. You may also want to ensure your recovery drink doesn’t contain added sugars. They may give you a superficial boost in energy, but they often prove detrimental to your recovery process.

Electrolytes

Any good recovery drink should contain ingredients that help you replenish vital electrolytes.

For those who are unaware, electrolytes are a group of nutrients that include calcium, potassium, and sodium. You lose a lot of these when you exercise, which is why you see many people take a banana or two to the gym with them - that’s not just a lucky mascot! These electrolytes regulate the way in which other nutrients reach your cells. They also help your circulatory and nervous systems function in the way they are supposed to.

Make sure your post-workout recovery includes a drink that contains plenty of electrolytes, particularly if you’ve been doing a lot of cardio training.

Carbs

For a lot of people, carbohydrates are the devil’s work and should be exiled from existence. However, your body will be craving the energy after a rigorous workout routine. Make sure you pick a recovery drink that replenishes your glycogen stores.

You want to take in around 1.5 grams of high-glycemic carbs per kilogram of body weight. You should also look for important carbohydrates such as dextrose and maltodextrin. If you don’t get enough carbs after your workout, you’ll end up feeling fatigued and sore.

Protein

If you are serious about building muscle or improving as an athlete, you’ll need a recovery shake that is loaded with protein. You can find recovery drinks that include fast and slow-digesting proteins which release amino acids to your muscles at varying rates. This is how your muscles rebuild to become stronger after every workout. Look for a drink with at least 20 grams of protein. This is easier to do if you make your post-workout drink yourself. However, you should be able to find a prepared recovery drink with a sufficient amount of protein with little effort.

Overall taste

Obviously, you want to choose a recovery drink that gives you all the benefits listed above and tastes great. I don’t know about you, but I’m particularly sensitive to taste after a workout. If I’ve been giving 110% in the gym, I already feel like I’m about to throw up. Make sure you find a recovery drink that makes you look forward to the end of your gym session. You don’t want to hold your nose and force it down.

The best way to do this is by checking customer reviews and also going with your gut instinct. You know your own taste buds better than anybody!

Recovery drink price range

As expected, most recovery drinks are going to cost you more than your average pre-prepared refrigerated milkshake. They’ll even end up costing more than if you were to make your own post-workout drink at home. However, you are paying for convenience. Typically, most recovery drinks bought in a packet will cost around $25-40. You can find more expensive varieties with specialized properties, but you probably don’t need to spend this much unless advised by a nutritionist or dietician.

How we choose our recovery drink

In order to come up with a reliable and trustworthy recovery drink buying guide, we have to consider a number of important factors, many of which we have already covered above. We make sure we take into account things like taste, macro content, overall cost, packaging, and whether a product is suitable for vegans or other specific dietary requirements. Each recovery drink has to meet our own high standards.

We also check out a massive amount of customer reviews to ensure the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive. Rest assured, all our recovery drinks get the thumbs up from most consumers.

Recovery Drink FAQ

Q: How can I make my own recovery drink at home?

A: It is really easy to make your own recovery drink at home, especially if you already have an array of nutrient-rich ingredients at your disposal. You don’t have to purchase an already prepared recovery drink from a store. Just make sure you follow our rules on electrolytes, carbs, protein, and hydration. Go wild and experiment with the flavor.

Q: Can I get fat by drinking recovery drinks?

A: You can get fat consuming anything if you don’t put in the effort when working out. If you are pushing yourself during exercise, your recovery drink should replace what you have lost and help you gain muscle rather than fat.