Banish Sore Muscles By Eating Right

If you overdo it at the gym or spend the whole day trawling your favourite shopping centre, chances are you'll end up with aching muscles. Janine Whiteson, author of Get a Real Food Life (Rodale), has some tips.
• Protein helps repair muscles, so eat a little extra protein, for instance eggs, nuts or cheese, when yours feel sore.
• Treat yourself to some fresh pineapple. Bromelain, an enzyme found in this fruit, can help the healing process.
• Calcium and magnesium help repair connective tissue and the skeletal system. Make sure you eat foods that contain both of these nutrients. Try low-fat or fat-free dairy foods, seafood, soya foods, nuts and seeds.
• Antioxidant-rich foods can help speed up the muscle-healing process, so eat dark-green, leafy vegetables, legumes, avocados, mangoes or tomatoes.
• If you're anticipating a long day on your feet, make sure you drink an additional four to five glasses of water. It may reduce soreness later.
• Don't forget to stretch your muscles. Stretching helps maintain flexibility and relieve soreness.

Author: Cathy Lund