Pre/Postworkout vs food

whmscll

I see a lot about having a "preworkout" and especially a "postworkout." First, are these basically shakes made with protein powder? If not, what are they? Are there benefits to having a protein shake over just eating a high protein food, and if so, what are the benefits?

robertw486

I prefer real food for both. Pre in the form of caffeine since I like both coffee and tea, and post in the form of food since I like to eat.

Though I usually like to eat my foods, sometimes in the warmer months I do enjoy a smoothie with a lot of calories and protein, usually with Greek yogurt, some fruit, and some peanut butter. It's just a quick refreshing way to get a lot of calories and recovery stuff in my system. When I'm wiped out and want an extended cool down before a shower it sure beats cooking, and gets me through until I get time to really eat.

Other than that, usually for me protein bars or anything of that nature is more just a filler for when I'm not really hungry but low on protein for the day. I have days when I burn a lot of calories that I just really get tired of eating enough back.