DOMS is one of the most annoying things to deal with when you get into fitness. Whether you're a fledgling bodybuilder, a fitness vet switching disciplines, or anything else, it hits unexpectedly, and it can throw you off your game for days.
People do all kinds of things to try to prevent it, but you might be surprised to know that the key could be cookie dough.
That's right. A treat the fitness world would usually tell you to stay away from might actually be able to stop DOMS in its tracks.
Here's how FUUL protein cookie dough might help prevent DOMS and keep you performing at your best.
What is DOMS?
Most people who have been exercising for a long time know what DOMS is, but if you're new, it's Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. Don't worry. You'll experience it eventually. We all do.
DOMS is when you work out really hard, you feel fine afterward, and the next day, you feel like you got hit by a train.
DOMS creates a type of dull and achy pain that lasts up to 72 hours, and you can't really get rid of it. The worst part is that, while it's not a sudden jolt of unbearable pain, it's persistent. It distracts you constantly, it makes everything harder, and it just feels horrible.
This is caused by microtrauma in your muscle fibers. That sounds scary, but it's normal. In fact, it's how your muscles grow. They get damaged, and they build themselves back up bigger and stronger than before. It's just a pain to deal with, and if you push too hard, you do more harm than good.
Also, you usually feel this pain during and after a workout, and it's short lived. The extended nature of DOMS makes it a lot more irritating.
What is Protein Cookie Dough?
Protein cookie dough is an all-around wellness and fitness snack. It's made with macros in mind to help energize you, repair your body, and reward you with a dopamine boost.
With each 270 calorie serving, you get 8g of fat, 15g of protein, 6g of sugar, and 36g of carbs.
The part that's important for DOMS is the 15g of protein.
How Protein Cookie Dough Prevents DOMS
Protein cookie dough is useful for DOMS, because it gives your muscles what they need to repair themselves properly and quickly.
DOMS is most common in people who aren't eating enough protein to match the needs of their muscles. You might be getting some, but it's just not enough, and a day later, your muscles are letting you know that they need repairs ASAP.
Not only does protein cookie dough have enough protein to fuel your muscles' growth, but it also has complete protein from whey and milk.
Complete protein is a protein source that has the 9 core amino acids, and some sources have some of the less important acids as well. The 9 core amino acids are the ones that your body uses to repair itself and handle 100% crucial tasks.
Incomplete proteins, like the ones you get in nuts, legumes, and other sources, don't have all 9 amino acids, and your muscles end up not getting everything they need. That can increase your chances of experiencing DOMS.
How FUUL Stands Out
If it were only about protein, you could easily eat a chicken breast or a steak post-workout and get the same benefits. After all, both those things have plenty of complete protein in them.
It's not all about that, though.
Protein cookie dough stands out as a great way to avoid DOMS for two reasons.
First, it supplements your daily protein intake meaningfully and without throwing off your macros. If you're eating the right amount of protein at mealtimes, protein cookie dough is the extra bit you need to support serious muscle building without going overboard on fat and carbs.
On top of that, protein cookie dough gives you a lot of other benefits beyond muscle repair and DOMS prevention.
Protein cookie dough has 36g of carbs and 8g of fat to provide you with both short-term and long-term energy. That helps you get your energy back after an intense workout without having to eat entire meals that throw your macros off.
Protein cookie dough also fills you up without spending too much of your daily calorie allowance like other snacks do, and it's shelf stable. So, you can take it everywhere with you. Convenience is a big part of sticking to something.
Most importantly, protein cookie dough gives you a dessert-like experience that you don't usually get with fitness and wellness-related snacks. At least, the ones that work aren't usually great desserts. FUUL tastes and feels like delicious cookie dough. When you're eating a lot of simple whole foods and cutting out junk, food tends to stop being as exciting.
FUUL lets you enjoy a sweet treat without guilt or negative consequences, and that keeps your morale up.
So, not only does FUUL help with DOMS by repairing your muscles, but it helps with your daily workouts, wellness, and morale while you take on a pretty difficult fitness journey. While you might be able to get extra protein other ways, none of those alternatives provide all the other benefits, too.
Getting the Most Out of FUUL and Preventing DOMS
FUUL’s great, but when it comes to DOMS, it's best to do a few things in tandem. One of the best things you can do is take your fitness journey slowly. Don't suddenly add 100 reps to your set, jack up the weight by insane amounts, or anything like that. DOMS usually happens when you crank up the gear too suddenly. Also, put just as much focus into aftercare as you do the gym itself. FUUL is a part of that, but using massage tools, cold/hot compress cycles, and similar techniques all help.
FUUL is at the core of repairing your body, though. If you want to avoid DOMS, get big gains, and enjoy a delicious dessert, try FUUL today.