protein powder

[mmfan]

Should I have a protein drink before or after work out? I've read conflicting advice!

[omelissokomos]

Just to make things more confusing, some guys (like me) take it before and after their workouts and others choose to drink during their workouts.

I ended up drinking it way I do since (a) I work out in the morning before going to work, (b) it takes me about 30 minutes to get from my house to the gym, and (c) the murderous, I mean, intensive routines Greg made for me warrant it.

If given a limited choice, I'd drink it right after since that seems to be the time my body would need the protein most.

Don't forget to keep yourself well hydrated during the day.

[Buffling]

My vote is post-workout, assuming the protein shake includes a source of simple sugars that will provoke an insulin response, required to help deliver those tasty amino acids to muscle tissues that need them. I don't see the logic in protein right before a workout.... creatine, yes, maybe even some kinda nitric oxide supplement, but thassit.

If you're eating six meals per day, as you should, then all of this is basically moot, anyway, since your body will be feasting on a steady and constant stream of handy building blocks.

[mmfan]

Thanks,

I had initially thought after ... my gut feeling was that your body would be looking for muscle building food sometime shortly after a workout (probably peaking 15-30 minutes after).

I try and drink a fruit smoothie after a workout, and so I'm going to start adding some protein powder to it. I know nothing about protein powder - I suspect you don't necessarily get what you pay for, but then again, I'm not sure if supermarket powder isn't going to waste my time...

[Buffling]

Originally Posted by mmfan

I know nothing about protein powder - I suspect you don't necessarily get what you pay for, but then again, I'm not sure if supermarket powder isn't going to waste my time...

Generally, you DO get what you pay for with protein powder. Thik of it as food -- not as an "extra" -- and fit it in to your budget that way. I'm a big fan of Champion Nutrition's protein, but I aslo really like Elite and Optimum. I'd take a grilled chicken breast over all of them, of course, but Real Meat gets expensive

[BIGJOEY]

Very few bodybuilders do more than 1 shake off season to gain mass. most use whole foods. I am basing this on my diet, the pros i know personally who i have lifted with. you grow on food not shakes. You cna get enough protein in your meals and only have to do one post workout shake. Anything else your wasitng the powder

[brent]

The current thought is 25 gm of whey protein an hour before, an NO drink half an hour before, and another 25 gm of whey protein immediately after. Then about 80 gm of casein at bed time. Also LOTS of cheap meat; shakes help supplement the nutrition that's hard to fit into a working schedule!