Protein: Bar or Shake?

Great question!!
A Protein shake is better after a workout, before a workout isn't necessary unless you use casine protein which you'd take at night before bed it works at you body's digestion rate very slow usually 8-12 hrs. before fully digested. As far as your protein shake I'd recommend a protein isolate it's quickly absorbed and will help you build lean muscle, examples of those are isopure (drink or powder) or nectar (Iv'e only seen powder), there are many more sub categories too numerous to mention. Good luck.


p.s. check out www.vitaminshoppe.com or any other retailer i'm biased to the shoppe since that's where i go.

I prefer powdered whey over protein bars as you'll typically get more protein for less calories.

Bump

I personally have never used a protein shake after working out. Here are just a few links why:
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/nutrition/a/aa081403.htm

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/post_workout_carbs.htm

http://www.builtlean.com/2012/02/07/post-workout-meal/

I personally use a PWO shake that has a 4:1 carb to protein ratio whether it's a lifting day or cardio day. That's worked for me and multiple of my clients with not only recovery but less muscle soreness.

Brad

Post-workout, it's always a shake for me. I've tried several and am loving Jay Robb Whey powder. You can get it at/thru GNC but also direct. It mixes well (I use with water), has HUGE protein and very low cal/carb. I will also have EAS AdvantEdge (yes, that's how it's spelled - lol) shakes - they are ready to drink and also lower carb - those I'll have as a "snack" for a protein bump.

The bars do tend to be more in the line of meal replacement - higher in carbs & calories. The Zone bars are good and not crazy calories so fit my daily goals better. If you're looking a bars, just do a LOT of label reading - just because it says protein bar on the front doesn't mean much --- you will find a lot of those bars have sometimes as little as 10g protein with 23g carb! I'd rather get my carbs from fruits & veggies and my high fiber cereal, thanks very much.

Post workout shake as soon as possible after your workout. The shake is cheaper and will be less calories. I use Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein. When I can't use a shake throughout the day I use Pure Protein Bars. Make sure to eat enough protein throughout your day. Very important for muscle building.

Why do you have to supplement protein? Are you not getting enough in your actual diet?

That said, if you MUST I would get a protein bar with quality protein, not covered in chocolate, and not full of extra *kitten*. I'd suggest quest bars.

Or you could do whey, blender bottle, and milk/almond milk/water. Whatever is more convineint for you I guess.

Again, I would try and incorporate more protein in your diet before supplementation.

I recently started replacing my dinner with protein shakes on the nights I workout, our trainers say it is important to consume the protein within 45 minutes after the workout. Also, to keep the sugar low in the evening-time shakes, I try to omit most fruits and instead use the chocolate whey protein and a couple tablespoons of PB2 (google it, it's the bomb!) or vanilla whey protein with a tablespoon of sugar free, fat free instant pudding mix (flavor of choice).

I also try to have a small snack before my workout, here are a few that I like: half a banana sliced with a tbsp of peanut butter, 10-15 peanut butter filled pretzels, small cottage cheese (90cal) and an orange, 4 slices of reduced fat salami w/ 2tbsp of cream cheese, or a greek yogurt.

Since, replacing my dinner with the shakes post-workout I have really started seeing the weight melt off.

Here's a great site with lots of shake ideas!
http://dashingdish.com/recipes/shakes/

Good Luck!

SHAKE.

ON Gold Standard
Dymatize Whey Protein
Muscle Pharm Combat Powder

Protein Bars=Glorified candy bar.

I eat meat or eggs when time allows otherwise I have a whey protein shake. Most protein bars have a lot of sugar in one form or another...some are not much better than a candy bar. Also some have coatings that flake off and can stain your clothes if you are driving...

When I workout first thing, I have 1/2 a shake before my workout and a full one after. You could also try making an egg wrap that you could eat while commuting, or just bring a container of hard cooked eggs/egg whites.

Chicken.

^^^

Its always better to get your protein from natural sources.

Of course it's always better, but a lot of the times its about convience. I don't have time to cook up some chicken right after lifting. I need protein asap.

Pre cook it on the weekend.

and eat it on the way out of the gym? seriously though I know what you're saying and I prefer havin protein shakes. I personally can't only eat so much meat before I full. protein shakes give me extra protein without making me over full.

If you get a good CFM whey protein shake then it should have almost no carbs and little fat in them and then you can make what you want. You can do something like:

Whey by itself: Approx 27grams of protein per serving.

Whey home weight gainer
- 2 or 3 servings of whey
- a couple servings of oats
- a couple servings of Dark Chocolate Almond milk
- 1 or 2 servings of Walnut Oil

Whey - Low Carb
- 1 or 2 servings of whey
- 1 or 2 servings of chopped almonds
- 1 serving of walnut oil

There are a lot of options and you at least control what's going into the shake. With the protein bars you really don't know and many protein bars are high in sugar and some are even worse than a Snickers bar.

Ideally if you have time to eat all of your meals then you don't need either. I for one with my workday do not have time to eat all of the calories I need and have to supplement a little bit with shakes. Seriously, 3,000+ CLEAN calories is not easy. I consume as much food as possible and then throw a couple shakes together that I can down quickly at my desk.