What types of foods should be eaten after exercising to maximize energy?
Because you have likely been sweating, after a hard workout, the main priority is to re-hydrate with water or a sports drink. Aim to consume at least 2 cups of water. When you exercise, your body's carbohydrate stores decrease. This makes carbohydrate foods a logical post-exercise snack. However, research has shown that a 3 to 1 ratio of carbohydrate to protein promotes the best muscle recovery after a hard workout. Some good examples would be an energy bar containing protein and carbohydrate; a peanut butter and jam sandwich; a shake containing fruit, juice and protein; fruit and yogurt or even a handful of vegetables and nuts.

I am an endurance runner. I've always just used water and a sports drink during my longer runs. I have a couple new running partners who use energy gels on our runs. Is this something I should be doing?
Generally, in any exercise session lasting under 90 minutes, hydration is the main concern. Plan to drink water (roughly ¼ cup) every 15-20 minutes. After about 90 minutes your body's stores of carbohydrate can become low. It is therefore recommended to consume in the range of 25-50 grams of carbohydrate every 30 minutes that you will continue to exercise beyond the first 90 minutes. Energy gels such as Power Gel®, Clif Shot® or GU® are similar to a regular energy bar, but because they are semi-liquid, they would be digested and absorbed faster than solid food. Many athletes like to use them. However, many athletes prefer a beverage as the carbohydrate source or even just regular food.

I have recently successfully lost weight through proper diet and exercise. I am now increasing my exercise program to include weight training. My protein intake is low, so when I exercise, the proteins are being taken from what muscle I do have. I've been advised to increase my protein intake during this exercise period. I know that meats, fish, and poultry are a good protein source, but what other foods are considered high in protein?
Here is a listing of the protein content of some common foods:

How much time should I leave between eating and exercising?
For a snack, allow about 30 minutes. For a light meal, 1 to 2 hours. For a large meal, allow up to 3 hours for the food to turn into energy and be ready for your workout.