Pumpkin Protein Cookies - Perfect Post-Workout Fuel!
Do you struggle with your appetite following a hard workout? Or do you know you have to eat but even the thought of it makes you nauseous?
I've been there. And trust me. You'll feel better once you do. Just a couple weeks ago I completed a tough long run and had zero appetite. All I wanted to do was get warm (hello winter running) and take a nap.
And while I did have something for lunch about 2 hours after I completed my long run, it wasn't enough. A few hours after that I found myself out and about and having a low blood sugar moment - which is never fun - for you or your family/friends. It was quickly resolved with my eating a large soft pretzel - but I tell you what - I won't let that happen again any time soon.
So what's the solution? Nibble or sip on something - preferably with some carbs and protein - immediately post workout. Chocolate milk and dry cereal, a protein bar, trail mix... or these protein cookies I made a couple weeks ago can do the trick. And then once you do feel like eating, have a proper balanced meal including carbs, high quality protein and some fruits/veggies. You'll thank me later and so will your body!
Recipe for the cookies below. Enjoy!
Pumpkin Protein Cookies
(Makes 6-7 Cookies)
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup almond flour/meal
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-2 scoops unflavored whey powder (I use 1-scoop of Now Foods Unflavored Whey Protein Isolate)
1/2 cup canned pumpkin/puree
1/4 cup honey
1/4 vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4-1/2 cup mix ins (e.g., dried fruit, nuts, chocolate chips, etc.)
Pumpkin seeds (if desired, to top cookies)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Blend or use a food processor to chop oats. I like to use our ninja. The oats will look like a coarse flour once processed. Place in a medium sized bowl and combine with almond flour, spices, baking powder, salt and protein powder.
In a separate bowl, whisk together wet ingredients (pumpkin through vanilla). Add to oat mixture along with mix-ins and fold together until combined.
Scoop out by about 1/4 cup spoonfuls and drop onto baking sheet. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
Enjoy!
Nutrition Info Per Cookie: 235 calories, 34 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 8 g fat, 10 g protein, 109 mg sodium