Post Workout nutrition: carbs vs protein
ell_v131
Posts: 349 Member
I found this interesting article that makes so much sense and is quite contrary to the generally accepted recommendation, I decided to post it for everyone's consideration.
Can be found here: http://tomnikkola.com/carbs-or-protein-after-a-workout/
Post-workout nutrition choices play a significant role in your ability to recover, build muscle, reduce muscle soreness and even help keep you from getting sick. As important as this “window of opportunity” is, recommendations for what to eat or drink are still surrounded in myth and misunderstanding.
Post-workout nutrition became popularized with research by John Ivy and his team, who later published an appropriately titled book, Nutrient Timing. The very short summary of his findings was that a post-workout meal or shake consisting of carbs and protein, in a ratio of 4:1, seemed to provide the right mix to maximally stimulate glycogen (carbohydrate) repletion and increase protein synthesis.
The downside of the work was that it was primarily focused on athletes and speeding recovery between training sessions. It was not focused on the average person who exercises for health and fitness.
Many sports nutrition companies took Ivy’s research and promoted the 4:1 carb-to-protein post-workout recommendation for everyone. Go for a walk, have a high-carb shake or meal. Play in a softball game (where you stand still most of the time) and have a high-carb shake or meal. Do a basic strength training session and have a high-carb shake or meal.
Non-athletes rarely need to use such a strategy. In fact, for those looking to increase muscle, while minimizing fat gains, such a high-carb, low-protein post-workout option can be detrimental.
Even worse, advertising for supplements and snacks related to exercise send the message that lots of carbs are good. The exaggerated advertising creates an unwarranted excuse to indulge in carbs with reckless abandon following a workout. Then people scratch their heads, wondering why they’re not getting leaner with all the exercise they’re doing.
Post-workout nutrition strategies for an athlete have different objectives than the objectives of post-exercise nutrition for health and fitness focused people.
The use of protein and carbohydrates, following a workout, are generally recommended for the following reasons:
To enhance glycogen replenishment
To stimulate protein synthesis
To reduce muscle protein breakdown
To speed recovery between workouts
To support immune function
The question then becomes, “Do your fitness goals and training program drive the need for post-workout carbs and/or protein?”
Post-Workout Carbs and Glycogen Replenishment
As intensity levels of a training session increase, glycogen, or carbohydrate usage, increases. Intensity increases by running, swimming or cycling faster. Intensity can also be increased by performing more sets or reps during a resistance training workout. In fact, during moderate to high-rep-range resistance training performed to muscular failure, glycogen can be depleted by 25-40%.[1] Low-rep, heavy weight training doesn’t tap into glycogen stores very much, as the primary energy source is ATP and creatine phosphate.
Since exercise depletes glycogen, it stands to reason that post-workout carbohydrates would help replenish glycogen levels. While it’s true that post-workout carbs effectively replenish glycogen stores, the question is, “Are they necessary?” Do you really need to immediately replenish glycogen stores after a workout, or will your normal diet refill your glycogen stores during the time between exercise sessions? If so, the post-workout carbs probably aren’t necessary.
If you’re training a couple times per day, you’d be well-justified in using carbs right after your workout. You’ll be far more prepared for your second training session of the day. Think of a football player during training camp. More than likely, that isn’t you.
Chances are, you’re not training twice a day. You have a full-time job, family commitments and many other things going on. You train three to five times per week. If you train more than three times per week, you probably follow a split routine, where you’re not training the same muscle group with a high level of volume more than once every few days.
If that sounds more like you, your body will have plenty of time to replenish most of its glycogen stores between workouts by eating a ton of vegetables and some fruit, without loading up on carbs after your workout.
The bottom line here is, if your training volume and frequency is high, you could benefit from a higher-carb post-workout strategy to help you perform well at your next workout. If your training is moderate in intensity or volume, you probably don’t need the carbs for glycogen replenishment.
Post-Workout Carbs and the Insulin Spike
Post-workout carbs spike insulin levels. When insulin levels are high, nutrients may be shuttled into the cells to speed recovery at a faster rate. It sounds good, but elevated insulin also shuts down fat burning. In a short period of time following the carb intake, blood sugar levels drop, stimulating hunger and low energy levels.
The question I weigh out here is, “Is the small increase in nutrient absorption more beneficial than the side effects of the carbs consumed after a workout?” For those who are strictly training to improve performance, I’d definitely say “yes.” For those who are pursing optimal health and body fat levels, while accepting a small drop in performance, I’d say “no.”
Post-Workout Protein
While exercise is a good thing, you don’t get stronger, more muscular or fit during your training session. This all occurs during the recovery process following a training session. In fact, during a training session, you actually become weaker as you fatigue and breakdown muscle tissue. Where the body has an ability to replenish carbohydrate needs on its own, it can’t do the same with protein. Protein needs must be met with food or supplements.
Protein is king when it comes to recovery. Protein helps build muscles, supports the immune system, satisfies hunger and supports a number of other metabolic functions.
It was once thought that raising insulin by consuming carbohydrate helped improve net protein balance, but research shows the effects are minimal, if they at all. If the carbohydrates do have any effect, it’s from raising insulin, which may slow protein breakdown slightly.
However, protein does stimulate protein synthesis and reduces protein breakdown following a training session. In doing so, protein creates a net increase in lean body mass.
Protein or amino acids have also been shown to reduce soreness and muscle damage following a training session. Interestingly, a study on U.S. Marines showed post-workout protein led to fewer medical visits, bacterial infections and muscle or joint problems.[2]
The need for post-workout carbs varies based on the individual, but everyone benefits from protein during the post-workout window.
Protein also raises insulin levels, though nowhere near to the extent that carbohydrates do. But their mild stimulation of insulin may offer the small benefit of reduced protein breakdown seen with insulin increases from carbohydrate.
Whey protein has a strong track record in research as a superior post-workout protein source. Compared to soy or casein, whey protein stimulates the growth of lean body mass much better. Part of this is due to its rich source of branched-chain amino acids, and part of it is due to its fast digestion and absorption. Whey isolate is the most frequently researched form of whey protein for performance enhancement.
A serving of 20 grams of whey protein seems to maximally stimulate protein synthesis, meaning 40 grams of protein doesn’t further stimulate protein synthesis. However, this does not take into account the effects that greater protein intakes have on lowering protein breakdown. At a minimum, I’d recommend 20 grams of protein from whey following a training session, but would not dissuade someone from consuming more.
There has also been little research showing how other protein sources compare to the effects of 20 grams of protein, other than the soy or casein mentioned above. In my opinion, I’d err on the higher end of protein intake following an exercise session, especially with protein sources other than whey.
Post-Workout Protein Plus Carbohydrate
Separately, carbohydrates replenish glycogen stores following exercise, which is necessary in some people. Protein does a bunch of important stuff following exercise, which is important for virtually everyone.
If they’re consumed together, is there some kind of synergistic effect? No, not really.
Combining carbohydrates with protein does not further improve glycogen stores than when carbohydrates are consumed alone.
Carbohydrates do suppress protein breakdown slightly, when combined with protein, which helps improve net protein balance. But this comes at a trade-off of potential reductions in fat utilization and cravings for more carbs. Protein synthesis is not improved by adding carbs to the protein. The minor benefit of adding carbs to protein for average individuals isn’t worth the potential drawbacks.[3]
The combination of protein and carbs is really appropriate for those individuals who need quick glycogen replenishment along with the benefits protein provides. Who really needs that? Athletes and those training with high frequency and intensity.
If you’re like me, exercise is something you do for an hour or so most days of the week. You’re conscious of minimizing body fat gains. You’re main goals are to maintain optimal health while looking and feeling fit. If that’s the case, stick with protein.
Can be found here: http://tomnikkola.com/carbs-or-protein-after-a-workout/
Post-workout nutrition choices play a significant role in your ability to recover, build muscle, reduce muscle soreness and even help keep you from getting sick. As important as this “window of opportunity” is, recommendations for what to eat or drink are still surrounded in myth and misunderstanding.
Post-workout nutrition became popularized with research by John Ivy and his team, who later published an appropriately titled book, Nutrient Timing. The very short summary of his findings was that a post-workout meal or shake consisting of carbs and protein, in a ratio of 4:1, seemed to provide the right mix to maximally stimulate glycogen (carbohydrate) repletion and increase protein synthesis.
The downside of the work was that it was primarily focused on athletes and speeding recovery between training sessions. It was not focused on the average person who exercises for health and fitness.
Many sports nutrition companies took Ivy’s research and promoted the 4:1 carb-to-protein post-workout recommendation for everyone. Go for a walk, have a high-carb shake or meal. Play in a softball game (where you stand still most of the time) and have a high-carb shake or meal. Do a basic strength training session and have a high-carb shake or meal.
Non-athletes rarely need to use such a strategy. In fact, for those looking to increase muscle, while minimizing fat gains, such a high-carb, low-protein post-workout option can be detrimental.
Even worse, advertising for supplements and snacks related to exercise send the message that lots of carbs are good. The exaggerated advertising creates an unwarranted excuse to indulge in carbs with reckless abandon following a workout. Then people scratch their heads, wondering why they’re not getting leaner with all the exercise they’re doing.
Post-workout nutrition strategies for an athlete have different objectives than the objectives of post-exercise nutrition for health and fitness focused people.
The use of protein and carbohydrates, following a workout, are generally recommended for the following reasons:
To enhance glycogen replenishment
To stimulate protein synthesis
To reduce muscle protein breakdown
To speed recovery between workouts
To support immune function
The question then becomes, “Do your fitness goals and training program drive the need for post-workout carbs and/or protein?”
Post-Workout Carbs and Glycogen Replenishment
As intensity levels of a training session increase, glycogen, or carbohydrate usage, increases. Intensity increases by running, swimming or cycling faster. Intensity can also be increased by performing more sets or reps during a resistance training workout. In fact, during moderate to high-rep-range resistance training performed to muscular failure, glycogen can be depleted by 25-40%.[1] Low-rep, heavy weight training doesn’t tap into glycogen stores very much, as the primary energy source is ATP and creatine phosphate.
Since exercise depletes glycogen, it stands to reason that post-workout carbohydrates would help replenish glycogen levels. While it’s true that post-workout carbs effectively replenish glycogen stores, the question is, “Are they necessary?” Do you really need to immediately replenish glycogen stores after a workout, or will your normal diet refill your glycogen stores during the time between exercise sessions? If so, the post-workout carbs probably aren’t necessary.
If you’re training a couple times per day, you’d be well-justified in using carbs right after your workout. You’ll be far more prepared for your second training session of the day. Think of a football player during training camp. More than likely, that isn’t you.
Chances are, you’re not training twice a day. You have a full-time job, family commitments and many other things going on. You train three to five times per week. If you train more than three times per week, you probably follow a split routine, where you’re not training the same muscle group with a high level of volume more than once every few days.
If that sounds more like you, your body will have plenty of time to replenish most of its glycogen stores between workouts by eating a ton of vegetables and some fruit, without loading up on carbs after your workout.
The bottom line here is, if your training volume and frequency is high, you could benefit from a higher-carb post-workout strategy to help you perform well at your next workout. If your training is moderate in intensity or volume, you probably don’t need the carbs for glycogen replenishment.
Post-Workout Carbs and the Insulin Spike
Post-workout carbs spike insulin levels. When insulin levels are high, nutrients may be shuttled into the cells to speed recovery at a faster rate. It sounds good, but elevated insulin also shuts down fat burning. In a short period of time following the carb intake, blood sugar levels drop, stimulating hunger and low energy levels.
The question I weigh out here is, “Is the small increase in nutrient absorption more beneficial than the side effects of the carbs consumed after a workout?” For those who are strictly training to improve performance, I’d definitely say “yes.” For those who are pursing optimal health and body fat levels, while accepting a small drop in performance, I’d say “no.”
Post-Workout Protein
While exercise is a good thing, you don’t get stronger, more muscular or fit during your training session. This all occurs during the recovery process following a training session. In fact, during a training session, you actually become weaker as you fatigue and breakdown muscle tissue. Where the body has an ability to replenish carbohydrate needs on its own, it can’t do the same with protein. Protein needs must be met with food or supplements.
Protein is king when it comes to recovery. Protein helps build muscles, supports the immune system, satisfies hunger and supports a number of other metabolic functions.
It was once thought that raising insulin by consuming carbohydrate helped improve net protein balance, but research shows the effects are minimal, if they at all. If the carbohydrates do have any effect, it’s from raising insulin, which may slow protein breakdown slightly.
However, protein does stimulate protein synthesis and reduces protein breakdown following a training session. In doing so, protein creates a net increase in lean body mass.
Protein or amino acids have also been shown to reduce soreness and muscle damage following a training session. Interestingly, a study on U.S. Marines showed post-workout protein led to fewer medical visits, bacterial infections and muscle or joint problems.[2]
The need for post-workout carbs varies based on the individual, but everyone benefits from protein during the post-workout window.
Protein also raises insulin levels, though nowhere near to the extent that carbohydrates do. But their mild stimulation of insulin may offer the small benefit of reduced protein breakdown seen with insulin increases from carbohydrate.
Whey protein has a strong track record in research as a superior post-workout protein source. Compared to soy or casein, whey protein stimulates the growth of lean body mass much better. Part of this is due to its rich source of branched-chain amino acids, and part of it is due to its fast digestion and absorption. Whey isolate is the most frequently researched form of whey protein for performance enhancement.
A serving of 20 grams of whey protein seems to maximally stimulate protein synthesis, meaning 40 grams of protein doesn’t further stimulate protein synthesis. However, this does not take into account the effects that greater protein intakes have on lowering protein breakdown. At a minimum, I’d recommend 20 grams of protein from whey following a training session, but would not dissuade someone from consuming more.
There has also been little research showing how other protein sources compare to the effects of 20 grams of protein, other than the soy or casein mentioned above. In my opinion, I’d err on the higher end of protein intake following an exercise session, especially with protein sources other than whey.
Post-Workout Protein Plus Carbohydrate
Separately, carbohydrates replenish glycogen stores following exercise, which is necessary in some people. Protein does a bunch of important stuff following exercise, which is important for virtually everyone.
If they’re consumed together, is there some kind of synergistic effect? No, not really.
Combining carbohydrates with protein does not further improve glycogen stores than when carbohydrates are consumed alone.
Carbohydrates do suppress protein breakdown slightly, when combined with protein, which helps improve net protein balance. But this comes at a trade-off of potential reductions in fat utilization and cravings for more carbs. Protein synthesis is not improved by adding carbs to the protein. The minor benefit of adding carbs to protein for average individuals isn’t worth the potential drawbacks.[3]
The combination of protein and carbs is really appropriate for those individuals who need quick glycogen replenishment along with the benefits protein provides. Who really needs that? Athletes and those training with high frequency and intensity.
If you’re like me, exercise is something you do for an hour or so most days of the week. You’re conscious of minimizing body fat gains. You’re main goals are to maintain optimal health while looking and feeling fit. If that’s the case, stick with protein.
0
Replies
-
0
-
Hi Ell,
Thanks for sharing this. Very informative and has addressed something I had been wondering about for a while. I had been wondering why myfitnesspal's recommended calorie breakdown is as it is (Goal = 55% carb, 30% fat, 15% protein). Their breakdown feels counter-intuitive for me. It's good to read something that confirms my suspicions!
It might be an idea for myfitnesspal to offer a couple of different options for calorie breakdown - or for people to be able to customise it according to what they are aiming for, or their own preference. At the moment, I am largely ignoring my calorie breakdown piechart, - which seems a waste of a potentially neat feature.
Baz.0 -
thanks for the link SS.0 -
Hi Ell,
Thanks for sharing this. Very informative and has addressed something I had been wondering about for a while. I had been wondering why myfitnesspal's recommended calorie breakdown is as it is (Goal = 55% carb, 30% fat, 15% protein). Their breakdown feels counter-intuitive for me. It's good to read something that confirms my suspicions!
It might be an idea for myfitnesspal to offer a couple of different options for calorie breakdown - or for people to be able to customise it according to what they are aiming for, or their own preference. At the moment, I am largely ignoring my calorie breakdown piechart, - which seems a waste of a potentially neat feature.
Baz.
You can customize your macronutrient goals.0 -
Hi Ell,
Thanks for sharing this. Very informative and has addressed something I had been wondering about for a while. I had been wondering why myfitnesspal's recommended calorie breakdown is as it is (Goal = 55% carb, 30% fat, 15% protein). Their breakdown feels counter-intuitive for me. It's good to read something that confirms my suspicions!
It might be an idea for myfitnesspal to offer a couple of different options for calorie breakdown - or for people to be able to customise it according to what they are aiming for, or their own preference. At the moment, I am largely ignoring my calorie breakdown piechart, - which seems a waste of a potentially neat feature.
Baz.
You can customize your macronutrient goals.
and you can do it here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/change_goals_custom0 -
that was an excellent read. Thank you!0 -
that was an excellent read. Thank you!
Indeed it was. Thanks for that one SS0 -
Common sense tells us that fuelling for "glycogen replenishment" might not make sense unless people are actually significantly depleting their glycogen. We've all been in gyms - let's be frank about this - most people, most of the time are not working out hard enough for that to be an issue.0
-
Common sense tells us that fuelling for "glycogen replenishment" might not make sense unless people are actually significantly depleting their glycogen. We've all been in gyms - let's be frank about this - most people, most of the time are not working out hard enough for that to be an issue.
If anything, I see the opposite. People flailing against failure set after failure set, chasing "dat pump" and refusing to replenish carbs cause they'll make you fat, brah.0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 394.1K Introduce Yourself
- 43.9K Getting Started
- 260.4K Health and Weight Loss
- 176.1K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 437 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153.1K Motivation and Support
- 8.1K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.9K MyFitnessPal Information
- 15 News and Announcements
- 1.2K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.7K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions