Post-workout Healthy Fitness Sandwich For Runners
- Updated on Jan 04, 2023
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Looking for the perfect healthy fitness sandwich to eat after a run? Try this one! It’s got to be one of the best healthy sandwiches we have ever come up with, and, what’s more, it’s optimised to refuel your body after exercise!
After a good run or heavy workout your body typically needs many things to refuel. Some of the most important are the following:
Carbs – for replacing glycogen stores
Proteins – to aid muscle repair and growth
Electrolytes – including sodium, chloride, potassium and magnesium
Healthy Fats – used in so many essential body and brain functions
The sandwich fillings I use to make my runner’s sandwich contain all those things in balanced quantities, so you can be sure that this is going to provide you with the fuel you need!
What’s more, it comes in a delicious Mediterranean-inspired package, with tangy olives, salty capers and rich sun dried tomatoes, all toasted in flavorful, healthy olive oil. You know what, I might go on a run right now, just so I can eat one of these when I’m done!
Jump to
Ingredients
A quick glance through the ingredients in this healthy fitness sandwich will show you how great it is for post workout munchies!
Whole wheat bread
Whole grain bread will provide you with plenty of carbs. It is best to use brown bread as it also contains the most dietary fiber and nutrients. Rye bread or dark sourdough bread are good options.
Mozzarella or other cheese
Cheese contains protein, fat and even electrolytes! Yes – while we commonly think of electrolytes as coming from liquids, you can also get them in your food. Cottage cheese is a good option instead of mozzarella, because it has a good fat to protein ratio.
Sun-dried tomatoes
Sun dried tomatoes are a great way to add a zing of flavor, while also providing you with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant.
Olives
Olives add to the Mediterranean vibe of this sandwich. They also contain plenty of healthy fats and antioxidants.
Basil
Up the fragrant flavor of your sandwich and get those taste buds tingling with some leaves of fresh basil. Dried works too!
How many calories are in this healthy sandwich?
This vegetarian fitness sandwich contains 447 calories per serving, and it contains 19g protein per serving.
Here’s a quick overview of 1 serving:
At under 400 calories, it’s a great dish when you’re counting the calories, and it provides an awesome 19.5g of protein!
Health benefits
This sandwich provides many health benefits. For starters, it contains 42% of an average RDA of dietary fiber – so you can be sure it will keep you full for a long time, and help improve the health of your digestive system.
Secondly, it provides a solid portion of your daily protein requirements, at 19.5g per serving. Protein is super important for the healthy functioning of your body, and particularly for maintaining and/or building muscle.
It also contains notable amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Iron and Calcium.
How to make the perfect healthy fitness sandwich
- Chop: Roughly chop up the fillings and toss in a bowl in herbs salt and pepper.
- Toast: If you’re using soft bread, pop it in the toaster for a minute just to harden the outside. If you’re using hard bread, this step is optional.
- Stuff: Pile the filling on 2 slices of bread, top with the other 2 slices.
- Fry: With or without olive oil, heat a pan and fry the sandwich lightly in it for a few minutes. Press it down with a spatula occasionally. Flip so both sides become crispy and browned, with melty insides.
- Serve: Your sandwich is ready! Serve as lunch or a very light dinner.
FAQs
Got questions about how to make healthy sandwich recipes like this one? I’ve got you covered on topics from weight loss to meal prep.
Can I make this sandwich ahead?
You can make a big batch of filling ahead of time, but I wouldn’t recommend assembling the sandwich too far in advance, as the bread can get soggy ( though by all means, make it up in the morning and take it in your lunch box!).
What to serve with this sandwich?
A side salad of leafy greens is a great option to serve with this sandwich. Keep to simple ingredients: some spinach, lettuce and rocket, maybe a bit of red onion with an easy vinaigrette dressing.
What kind of sandwich is good after a workout?
A good post-workout sandwich includes a balance of protein, healthy fats and whole grain carbohydrates. If it has all these things, it is guaranteed to refuel your body after exercise!
What sandwiches are good for weight loss?
Sandwiches that are high in fibre, high in protein and with a focus on healthy unsaturated fats are the best sandwiches for weight loss. This combination of macros mean they will keep you full for the longest time, while providing your body with everything you need, so you are making the most of your calorie intake.
Are sandwiches good for muscle building?
Yes! If you load them with muscle-building protein, such as from cheese, tofu and/or eggs, they can definitely support muscle growth. Check out this high protein meal plan for more tips of how to eat to build muscle.
Variations and alternatives
If you need to eat gluten-free, just switch the bread out for your favorite gluten-free bread. To make this vegan, why not try smoked tofu, or your favorite vegan sausages instead of cheese? Or you could even pop some hummus in there.
If you are looking for possible ingredient swaps, you can really play around with this one. Swap mozzarella for your favorite cheese, add spinach or a handful of rocket. Why not a dash of chili oil or hot sauce for an extra kick? It’s also really yummy to spread pesto or tapenade on your bread.
More recipes
After more healthy sandwich recipes? Try my protein packed chickpea salad sandwich, my famous vegetarian banh mi or this incredible veggie coronation chick’n sandwich! And if you’re still after more inspo, why not get a load of my 37 favorite vegetarian sandwiches ever – from this blog and beyond!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 slices wholegrain bread (whole wheat)
- ½ ball low-fat mozzarella (cottage cheese also goes great!) (1 ball = 125g)
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- 4 tbsp olives
- 2 tsp capers (can be made without if unavailable)
- ¼ cup basil, fresh (dried basil is also fine, ¼ cup = 1 tsp)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 oz Cheddar cheese
Optional:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili flakes
- 1 small handful oregano, fresh (1 small handful fresh = ½ tsp dried)
Instructions
- Roughly chop the cheese, tomatoes, olives and capers and throw into a mixing bowl.½ ball low-fat mozzarella, ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, 4 tbsp olives, 1 oz Cheddar cheese, 2 tsp capers
- Add the herbs, salt and pepper.¼ cup basil, fresh, Salt and pepper to taste, 1 small handful oregano, fresh, 1 tsp chili flakes
- Use a fork to mix up and mash the ingredients a little – not too much, we just want to get those flavours circulating.
- If you’re using very soft bread then pop it in the toaster/pan without oil for a minute or so – not to toast it, just to harden the outside. If the bread is already a hard type, we’re good to go.4 slices wholegrain bread
- Spread the mix on the bottom slices, add the other slices on top. Squish down.
- Now comes the oil part – if you’re exercising a lot you’re gonna need all that extra fatty olive oil. If you’re not, that’s your call. Either way, it tastes great.1 tbsp olive oil
- Heat the pan (with or without the oil) and put the sandwich in. Put a lid on the pan if you have one, don’t stress too much if you don’t. Cook for 3 or 4 mins, squishing down with a spatula occasionally, then flip and cook the other side the same way. Both outsides should be nice and crispy, the insides melting together.
- Awesome. What a sandwich.
NOTES
Nutrition
I hope you enjoyed trying this delicious healthy fitness sandwich! Let me know what you thought of it in the comments
Dave
I’m not a foodie, although I do love eating. I believe food should serve us and our goals, not hinder. Taking control and responsibility for what I eat is important to me.
Comments
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15 comments
Wheat a hearty sandwich! Love toasting the buns in the skillet!
Deffo makes it much more fun to eat 😀
What a great sandwich! Always looking for tasty things to eat after a long run 😉 Thanks, Howie!
This sounds divine! I could totally devour one or two of those after a long run. Thank God for Miyoko’s vegan mozzarella!
I’m no runner (but my boyfriend is) I had all the ingredients to make this sandwich for my lunch today, and I am eating it for breakfast. Delish!!!!!
That’s great to hear Shay! I think the sandwich is delicious enough to eat without an excuse anyway :). Guten Appetit!
That Is Good.
Sounds good. But do you really need to write like a dirtbag?
Yes. Sometimes I speak like it too. But only when my mother isn’t listening.
Why can’t I pin it?
Hi Mona, I’m not sure exactly – I just tried it and it seems to be working fine. Are you logged in to Pinterest?
I was skeptical, but this is AMAZING!
Yay!! I’m glad to have another convert, Annette 😀
Those rolls look amazing!! Did you make them yourself and if so do you have the recipe?
They were from the bakery I’m afraid! They were really good though