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When To Drink A Protein Shake?
This question get asked quite often - when to drink a protein shake? Here are the answers you are looking for.
To answer this question, you must first understand how protein shakes work, and how your body responds to protein shakes.
You consume protein shakes with the primary goal of building lean muscle mass. The primary function of protein shakes is to help with muscle tissue repair and growth. If you don't use up the protein, the majority of the protein gets passed out from the body. Some get converted into fat. So how do you ensure that the protein that you consume really goes to muscle building?
The answer is to time your protein consumption. Health experts usually recommend drinking protein shakes right after a workout. This is to start the recovery process as soon as possible, to prepare for the next workout. If you delay the consumption, the opportunity to repair muscle tissue is gone. The first hour after your workout presents the best results.
In general, your body needs protein throughout the day to repair and grow muscle. So don't be mistaken that you only need to consume protein only after a workout. A single protein shake isn't enough to meet the protein needs of a full grown adult. The general rule of thumb is to consume at least 1 pound of protein for every pound that you weigh. Your protein consumption should be divided into several meals to help meet this target.
What about taking protein shakes BEFORE a workout? If you really want to do so, do it at least an hour (or two) before the workout. You want to give the body enough time to digest the protein. If you observe professional bodybuilders, they even eat during a workout. But note that these are professionals, and they know what they are doing. They consume food during workouts because they don't want the exercises to burn up muscle tissue, which is contrary to what they are trying to achieve. Also, they are making use of their time in the gym (they spend a long time there) to bulk up on calories, which the body needs for intense workouts.
Our recommendation is not to eat or drink protein shakes right before a workout. Some people tend to vomit when they exercise with a full stomach.
As mentioned, you should be trying to get your protein intake throughout the day. Other times that are great for consuming protein shakes are mornings, after lunch, or right before you go to bed. You should also consume protein shakes on recovery days to help boost muscle growth.
If you only intend to drink one protein shake for the day, and you are working out, then it's best that you drink it as a post workout shake. Your body will be starving for nutrition and that is the best time to consume the protein shake.
Here is more info on when to drink protein shakes.
