Cardio day- Do you drink protein shakes?

raven56706

i always wondered this. On cardio day, i usually burn 800-1000 calories...heavy workout...

cardio day consists of bike , elliptical or treadmill with the occasional ab machine. But since im not lifting, should i still be drinking protein shakes?

Dfracassa

I do! I drink one every morning (well, like 5 days a week) and it not only gets my calories up, since I know I'm going to be burning a lot, but it keeps me full from 7 a.m. until lunch, around 12 p.m. I might occasionally have a bit of cereal or a Fiber One bar in between, but otherwise, I still maintain a full feeling for as long as I need to.

chasetwins

Regardless of what I am doing I have one every AM for breakfast - reason being..I can not eat breakfast I have tried and tried but gag so I gave up. I can drink no problem - food just makes me ill so early. Protein fills me up far longer than anything so I have one for breakfast for the protein and calories
I think with heavy cardio someone suggested Carbs are more important - however carbs from anything except veggies make me hungry all day!

raven56706

how many protein shakes should you drink within a day

elsbbels

I drink one a day, after my workout (mainly cardio) as it helps to meet my protein macro and calories

raven56706

ok so can i say the following is correct?

it doesnt matter if its cardio or weight lifting, drinking protein shakes on a given day is a good thing if you need your protein intake to go up.

kellehbeans

ok so can i say the following is correct?

it doesnt matter if its cardio or weight lifting, drinking protein shakes on a given day is a good thing if you need your protein intake to go up.

Correct. It's very useful for helping to get your calorific and protein intake up.

KatLifter

I'm confused, what's cardio day?

RacerX_14

how many protein shakes should you drink within a day

2-3 per day everyday. No matter what day it is.

leTwist

You are correct. As long as it fits into your Calories, having a Proteinshake is always a good idea

anubhavsharma18

I drink it after my running. It has increased my recovery process as i don't feel tired for next days run.

SideSteel

ok so can i say the following is correct?

it doesnt matter if its cardio or weight lifting, drinking protein shakes on a given day is a good thing if you need your protein intake to go up.

See bold.

I'm only clarifying because some people tend to think that protein in a shake form is somehow magic.

If your diet is in need of more protein you could also eat more whole food protein.

Regarding your "how many shakes should I have per day" question previously asked, that's also going to be dependent on how much additional protein you need that you are not getting through whole foods.

jacksonpt

First and foremost, you should be drinking protein shakes if you need additional protein to hit your calorie goal. It's not about a workout, it's about your macros/diet.

Second... drink them if they help you stick to your daily calories.

Third, I'm not sure it makes THAT big of a difference as far as muscle breakdown/metabolic window/etc... but to me it's kind of like a multivitamin - easy insurance, so why not?

Chesty36

For me, the point of protein shakes is to keep me fuller for longer, and to help repair muscle. Given that you break muscle down by cycling, treadmill etc, albeit not to the same degree as lifting, I would have one, as you still need to help repair and strengthen muscle. And I do have one every morning after I cycle into work.

dogo187

yep...Cardio or Strength I get in a protein shake after my workout...

I find that it helps with recovery cause I burn anywhere between 600 to 1300 calories a day with my workouts...and I workout 6 days a week...

GamerLady

I drink one in the morning after my workout, and one in the evening to make sure I get enough protein in my diet.

raven56706

the thing for me is my protein intake is another problem... i dont get enough...

with the shakes at work, i can manage it well and get my calories up... take a look at my diary today.... i beg all who responded to here friend request me and take a look... today you will see that by a certain period i will need more.


would be nice for you guys to critique it as well. To be honest, working in NYC is hard and can be expensive to eat clean.

jacksonpt

I scrolled through about 10 days of your dairy.

First, you're almost always under your calorie goal, usually by quite a bit, so you've got some cals to play with.

Second, there is very little true protein sources on your list... animal proteins (beef, chicken, fish, eggs), dairy protein (milk, cheese, greek yogurt). Some of that takes legitimate cooking and is hard to do at work or on the go. But some of it is very easy. Looks like you just need a little more practice figuring out how to better balance foods to get closer to your macros.

jacksonpt

ok so can i say the following is correct?

it doesnt matter if its cardio or weight lifting, drinking protein shakes on a given day is a good thing if you need your protein intake to go up.

Yes, that's a fair statement... though I would say that getting the protein from food rather than supplements would be preferred.

projectbam

Agree with jacksonpt ..

I only take a protein shake on the day i train and only immed. AFTER i train.
I choose to get my protein the rest of the time .. and on days i dont train from food sources.

A

contingencyplan

I take a protein shake on any day I am not confident that I have gotten sufficient protein from meats and dairy, regardless of activity. Unless you're referring specifically one like Optimum Nutrition's Hydrobuilder, which was specifically formulated for post-workout (has added creatine and such), I see no reason to do anything different.

MG_Fit

I'm at least 1 a day. On my 2 a days, I have 2 or 3 shakes.

KristyHumphrey

I try to keep my protein intake .5 to 1 gm per lb of my body fat so If i need it-then I might have a couple of protein shakes in a day. Doesn't matter if its a cardio day or not

mmapags

ok so can i say the following is correct?

it doesnt matter if its cardio or weight lifting, drinking protein shakes on a given day is a good thing if you need your protein intake to go up.

Yes, it's not about how many shakes but about hitting a daily protein target. Also, depending on how long and how intense, cardio can get catabolic. A good mix of adequate protein (your daily target) and upping carbs can replenish glycogen and spare muscle on cardio day.

SquidgySquidge

I have a chocolate protein shake every evening, regardless of having worked out or not.

My reasons are:

- My macros are set to 40/30/30 and a protein shake helps me to hit my daily protein goals
- It helps repair muscle on the days I do work out
- It takes away the chocolate craving that I always seems to have, if I make it thick it's kind of like having a dessert

I've been reading up on protein a lot and it seems to me that the more you can get, the better so a protein shake every day can't be bad.

KristyHumphrey

the thing for me is my protein intake is another problem... i dont get enough...

with the shakes at work, i can manage it well and get my calories up... take a look at my diary today.... i beg all who responded to here friend request me and take a look... today you will see that by a certain period i will need more.


would be nice for you guys to critique it as well. To be honest, working in NYC is hard and can be expensive to eat clean.

Maybe grab a big bag of skinless/boneless chicken breasts, cooking them all at once, then grab one every day to heat up for lunch. You could hard-boil eggs, get cottage cheese, greek yogurt, or string cheese. It can be hard to fit it in for use. Kashi Go Lean also is a great source of protein.

turkeyhunter60

For me, the point of protein shakes is to keep me fuller for longer, and to help repair muscle. Given that you break muscle down by cycling, treadmill etc, albeit not to the same degree as lifting, I would have one, as you still need to help repair and strengthen muscle. And I do have one every morning after I cycle into work.

this

Sublog

i always wondered this. On cardio day, i usually burn 800-1000 calories...heavy workout...

cardio day consists of bike , elliptical or treadmill with the occasional ab machine. But since im not lifting, should i still be drinking protein shakes?

Protein shakes are nothing more than a supplemental way to get extra protein in your diet. Your protein requirements should not fluctuate. Find a protein intake adequate for your fitness, training, and calorie intake goals and stick with it.

I recommend 1/g per lb of lean body mass.

set it and forget it.

Proyecto_AN

You can drink protein shakes even if you don't exercise; the point of protein shakes is to do get your protein macros in / supps. Now creatine and amino... requieres you to do heavy lifting.

Italianyc84

Sure, we need protein, why not? On weight days I drink a shake after working out; on cardio days I don't typcially consume one right after, but I often have a shake most days instead of breakfast or lunch or for a snack. I keep protein powder and a blender bottle at my desk for this reason. Some people have a snack drawer, I have a protein powder stash :-) (I also keep raw almonds around)

swangwcb

For recipe ideas check out Muscle Chow--it's a book with all kinds of crazy delicious ideas. My fave it protein pudding. I use casein protein as the base and eat it for dessert so that it slowly digests, but it's good with whey or others I'm sure too. Good luck!