Mustering up motivation to hit the gym after work is tough.  Add in hunger and a bit of lethargy, it starts to get really hard.  I spent some time trying to figure out the best post-work/pre-gym snack.  I wanted something not too filling, but extremely nutritious, and of course, easy and quick to prepare.  Granola and “Power Bars” need not apply.

I tried oatmeal, cereal, egg whites, toast and even a combination of them, but they just didn’t cut it.  One day, out of sheer randomness, I came home and had very little left in the fridge.  All I had left was plain 2% Greek yogurt and a cooked sweet potato.  The pairing of the two turned out to be a great combination as an after work snack, and was even good enough to give me the energy required to work out.

I did mention that the snack had to be quick to prepare, and sweet potatoes aren’t exactly a fast cooking food.  I just baked a whole lot of sweet potatoes in advance and stored them in the refrigerator, throwing one in the microwave for a minute or so whenever I wanted one.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest ranks the sweet potato number one in nutrition, and Greek yogurt contains a nice dose of protein, is lower in sodium and sugar than regular yogurt.  I also can’t stomach the taste of regular yogurt, but am addicted to Greek yogurt.  The protein, good carbohydrates, antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, calcium, and probiotics from the two items make them a killer snack combination.

Greek yogurt might be an acquired taste for some.  Personally, I prefer the Trader Joe’s brand over the mainstream players such as Oikos and Fage.

A quarter cup of yogurt and a medium-sized sweet potato is all it takes to recharge my batteries after a long day at work.