Most runners and cyclists will know the dilemma. After a burst of exercise, your head tells you to eat an energy bar, but your stomach yearns for fish and chips.
Rest easy: it does not matter which you choose because a study has found fast food to be marginally better than sports supplements at helping athletes to recover after exercise.
Michael Cramer, of the University of Montana, persuaded 11 men in peak condition to fast for 12 hours before a demanding 90-minute workout.
After the exercise, half the athletes were fed energy drinks, power bars and a brand of “energy chew” cubes. Two hours later, they ate more power bars and some protein powder.
The other half scoffed pancakes, hash browns and orange juice, followed