Explain why it is important to eat a carbohydrate/protein snack immediately following a ...

A combination protein/carbohydrate snack, such as a peanut butter sandwich, promotes muscle growth and strength development. Postexercise carbohydrates help restore muscle glycogen depleted during training, and in combination with protein, induce an increase in blood insulin and growth hormone levels. These hormones are essential to the muscle-building process. The higher levels of circulating amino acids in the blood stream immediately following training is believed to increase protein synthesis to a greater extent than amino acids made available later in the day.