Protein immediately after a work out?

jacquelyn_erika

I'm not sure if this should be posted here vs. food & nutrition, but I'll ask anyway. Tomorrow I start working with a personal trainer. A few days ago during our assessment, he asked about the protein in my diet and I told him that often times after a workout, I make a whey protein shake (at home). He told me it's best to take whey IMMEDIATELY following the workout.. not to wait til I get home, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, etc. Obviously this means mixing it (with water, most likely) prior to working out and putting it down the hatch directly after we're done.

Does anyone have experience with this? Why directly after working out and not 20-30 minutes later? I could probably utilize google, and I may end up doing so, but I'd like to hear from some of you guys on the matter...thanks

Goal_Line

I read a study that concluded 40 grams of whey protean within the first hour has the most benefit. After the first our the benefit decreases. The study didn't look into a period shorter than the first hour.

I walk 30 min to the gym, work out and walk home. Have chocolate milk with whey protean when I get home (30 mins), i think it has made a difference.

stonerdude

your trainer is correct but if you are planning on whey protein it is very bad for you! notmilk.com

rockerbabyy

i always heard that within 45 minutes is fine. i always have mine when i get home from the gym because i dont like mixing it with water

PhilyPhresh

Why directly after working out and not 20-30 minutes later?

If your trainer didn't/couldn't explain to you why directly after, you need to find a new trainer. The reason you should drink it directly after is because this is the time in which your muscles are broken down, your metabolic system is raging, and your body is trying to decide what to burn. If you drink the protein right away, if will help prevent the breakdown of your muscle and speed up the recovery process. If you don't have enough protein in your system, your body may decide "I am too lazy to search for fat, I'll just burn whatever I can to recover quicker" then you lose a big percentage of all the work you just did.

edit: I must also agree with stonerdude. I am not a milk advocate and despise that the stuff is so easily trusted by the health and wellness community. Among may problems with milk and dairy products, they are full of anti-nutrients that break down cells and destroy nutrients in your body. Obviously, this is not good and consuming any dairy should be at least extremely limited if not cut out completely.

Captain_Tightpants

Doesn't have to be *immediately* but yeah within an hour or so. It's also good to replenish your carbs. Choccy milkshake ftw.

jocelynna

Why directly after working out and not 20-30 minutes later?

If your trainer didn't/couldn't explain to you why directly after, you need to find a new trainer. The reason you should drink it directly after is because this is the time in which your muscles are broken down, your metabolic system is raging, and your body is trying to decide what to burn. If you drink the protein right away, if will help prevent the breakdown of your muscle and speed up the recovery process. If you don't have enough protein in your system, your body may decide "I am too lazy to search for fat, I'll just burn whatever I can to recover quicker" then you lose a big percentage of all the work you just did.

So, is natural protein (not a powder) just as effective?

leia_ophelia

I've heard the same too and I find it helps me not be as sore the next day after an intense workout. My bootcamp instructor gave me an article about a study that showed that chocolate milk also does the same thing, so if you don't have time to make a protein shake after a workout, try grabbing a chocolate milk.

markymarrkk

What about Protein after a heavy Cardio session??? I usually just eat dinner right after a good solid run, after weight training I definitely take in about 25 grams of protein shake immediately after and eat dinner 20-30 min later.

dmg16duke

I don't like mixing the protein powders with water. I make a fruit smoothie (whole fruit, sometimes green tea in place of water, and protein powder) before I leave for the gym, and then I drink it afterwards. Maybe that would help you too.

spoonful

I guess he thinks that the protein will be used to refresh muscles that you have worked out. It does not make too much sense though. Protein takes a long time to be processed I do not think it matters. I think it is best to take protein with some carbs an hour before a workout. The protein will slow the processing of the carbs and give you a nice even energy source while you exercise. That's how it feels to me, anyway.

PhilyPhresh

So, is natural protein (not a powder) just as effective?

Totally, any time you can go completely natural it is highly recommended. I like to take a couple hard boiled eggs and mow down on them when I am done. If you have to go with a shake, I would recommend egg protein if you can find it. Its still not great, but anything to keep people off dairy. Hell, if your down grill you up a steak, wrap it in tin foil and head off to the gym! You'll look super badass mowing down on a steak after your workout while looking like a beast!

spoonful

Why directly after working out and not 20-30 minutes later?

If your trainer didn't/couldn't explain to you why directly after, you need to find a new trainer. The reason you should drink it directly after is because this is the time in which your muscles are broken down, your metabolic system is raging, and your body is trying to decide what to burn. If you drink the protein right away, if will help prevent the breakdown of your muscle and speed up the recovery process. If you don't have enough protein in your system, your body may decide "I am too lazy to search for fat, I'll just burn whatever I can to recover quicker" then you lose a big percentage of all the work you just did.

edit: I must also agree with stonerdude. I am not a milk advocate and despise that the stuff is so easily trusted by the health and wellness community. Among may problems with milk and dairy products, they are full of anti-nutrients that break down cells and destroy nutrients in your body. Obviously, this is not good and consuming any dairy should be at least extremely limited if not cut out completely.

Your body always saves the fat for last. The body loves to be fat.

stupidloser

I hear after a strength training session your muscle is like a sponge and that it is best to feed it protein as soon as possible following the workout. I usually just walk over to the gym's cold beverage section and buy a protein shake after my workout.

peka0601

I always go for some tuna after a work out for natural protein! Not everyone likes it lol but I love it!

zela

I wouldn't sweat it, at best this is a myth created and studies influenced by the supplement industry. After your workout your muscles will be most likely using the protein that you ate earlier in the day or the day before. Its nuts to think that all the protein you take will be processed and into your bloodstream and muscles within half an hours time.

ladybug1620

I have always heard to drink it within 30 minutes. I buy the ready to drink shakes for when I workout at the gym. And if not those, I will put the powder in my blender bottle and fill with water from the fountain there.

dragonfly__

I am with several other responders. It has always been my understanding that it needs to be with in an hour of the workout and you will still get the benefits.

SuperVegan8

I always try and have something carby (like dried fruit) immediately after excersise and then a protein shake.

I've read that this helps to stop your body burning the incoming protein for fuel and allows it to be used for muscle build/repair more effectively.

SuperVegan8

I always try and have something carby (like dried fruit) immediately after excersise and then a protein shake.

I've read that this helps to stop your body burning the incoming protein for fuel and allows it to be used for muscle build/repair more effectively.

I almost always intake the carbs immediately after i finish and the protein shake or protein based intake within 30 mins.

sarahsmom1

My daughter is an elite athlete and after a lot of her work outs she and the other athletes drink chocolate milk

iKapuniai

For those who are saying that DAIRY/MILK is bad... why? I drink my protein w/ skim milk all the time.

jacquelyn_erika

your trainer is correct but if you are planning on whey protein it is very bad for you! notmilk.com

thanks - i will check that out.

jacquelyn_erika

Why directly after working out and not 20-30 minutes later?

If your trainer didn't/couldn't explain to you why directly after, you need to find a new trainer. The reason you should drink it directly after is because this is the time in which your muscles are broken down, your metabolic system is raging, and your body is trying to decide what to burn. If you drink the protein right away, if will help prevent the breakdown of your muscle and speed up the recovery process. If you don't have enough protein in your system, your body may decide "I am too lazy to search for fat, I'll just burn whatever I can to recover quicker" then you lose a big percentage of all the work you just did.

edit: I must also agree with stonerdude. I am not a milk advocate and despise that the stuff is so easily trusted by the health and wellness community. Among may problems with milk and dairy products, they are full of anti-nutrients that break down cells and destroy nutrients in your body. Obviously, this is not good and consuming any dairy should be at least extremely limited if not cut out completely.

It's not that he didn't/couldn't explain it to me, we just went over so many different things that I didn't stop and ask him particular questions about it. thanks for all of your advice. It's extremely helpful and makes a lot of sense as to why the body needs protein directly after. also, i'm going to do some more research on the dairy issue.

jacquelyn_erika

I don't like mixing the protein powders with water. I make a fruit smoothie (whole fruit, sometimes green tea in place of water, and protein powder) before I leave for the gym, and then I drink it afterwards. Maybe that would help you too.

I detest the protein powder/water mixture so I think I will try this. I gag almost thinking about drinking it without doctoring it up someway first..lol.

jacquelyn_erika

I always try and have something carby (like dried fruit) immediately after excersise and then a protein shake.

I've read that this helps to stop your body burning the incoming protein for fuel and allows it to be used for muscle build/repair more effectively.

I almost always intake the carbs immediately after i finish and the protein shake or protein based intake within 30 mins.

awesome - also very helpful. thanks!

jacquelyn_erika

I've heard the same too and I find it helps me not be as sore the next day after an intense workout. My bootcamp instructor gave me an article about a study that showed that chocolate milk also does the same thing, so if you don't have time to make a protein shake after a workout, try grabbing a chocolate milk.

I've heard this, too. I used to drink chocolate milk almost routinely after a work out, might have to start doing that again.

jacquelyn_erika

So, is natural protein (not a powder) just as effective?

Totally, any time you can go completely natural it is highly recommended. I like to take a couple hard boiled eggs and mow down on them when I am done. If you have to go with a shake, I would recommend egg protein if you can find it. Its still not great, but anything to keep people off dairy. Hell, if your down grill you up a steak, wrap it in tin foil and head off to the gym! You'll look super badass mowing down on a steak after your workout while looking like a beast!

I literally LOL'd. I wanna look like a badass mowing down on some steak at the gym..thanks for the tip ;-)

In_The_Moment

I read that protein should be consumed within 30 to 45 min after a workout in order to repair the muscles. I am new to all of this, so I am reading all these responses to get some good tips.

lilmisfit

I always drink my protein shake immediately after lifting and before cardio. I also have a shake for breakfast.

Chantal34

I usually mix whey protein with almond milk.