Protein

Nightterror218
Nightterror218 Posts: 375 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
When is the best time to have protein, before or after a workout?

Right now I have a shake after my workouts. Just wondering if I should keep it up to have one before i go to gym. I get home from gym and have dinner right away.

Replies

  • dsmpunk
    dsmpunk Posts: 262 Member
    I think you will find differing opinions. I prefer after personally.
  • ElenakiFra
    ElenakiFra Posts: 62 Member
    I eat before and after.
  • ntdrive
    ntdrive Posts: 105 Member
    Differing opinion on whether to have one before working out but you definitely want to have one within 30 mins following resistance training.
  • dontgobacktosleep
    dontgobacktosleep Posts: 144 Member
    I can barely slog through a workout if I do before, definitely have to go after, for me at least :D
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    Bro-science seems to say start and end your workout with protein, real science says "eh, whenever".
  • FabMrFox
    FabMrFox Posts: 259 Member
    I do better if I have it within an hour after workouts and some throughout the day (heavy lift days) //cardio or light lifting days I just make sure to get protein at some point throughout the day
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,430 MFP Moderator
    It really doesn't matter. As long as you get enough protein throughout the day, it really doesn't matter.
  • 2FatToRun
    2FatToRun Posts: 810 Member
    I have protein every meal that way if I work out it is a good chance it will be before or after lol
  • Cre8veLifeR
    Cre8veLifeR Posts: 1,062 Member
    I do before & after as well, but if I know I am going to have an intense cardio workout like I did today, I opt for a banana or whole grains to give me the energy I need to run, and protein after.
  • angmarie28
    angmarie28 Posts: 2,893 Member
    if I workout in the morning, before I normally eat, ill eat a greek yogurt before, then eat or drink something with protein after
  • lilawolf
    lilawolf Posts: 1,690 Member
    You need the protein within 20-30 minutes of finishing your workout for best protein synthesis. The sooner the better. If you have it right before your workout, it will still be in your system and being absorbed. I wouldn't do it so long before that it is already digested, but within an hour should be fine.

    If you have the shake before you may want to try adding some simple carbs like a banana to see if that improves your energy during your workout. I haven't noticed a difference, but some people do. This way you will get the carbs you "need" now and the protein you need after.

    Maybe a chocolate protein, coffee, banana shake would be the best. The caffeine can also help with your workout and the potassium is good for electrolytes. The difference is probably pretty small, but it could add up.
  • Arencey
    Arencey Posts: 4
    I think it's best to have a Protein Shake after your workout, but I'm sure having something about an hour before you lift would be beneficial as well.

    The most important thing is that you actually do your workout, It's good to have a post workout meal or shake but there's no need to panic if you can't get one in. ;)
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    Supplement companies would like you to believe that protein synthesis only remains elevated for about 30 minutes after the training bout, but they also want you to buy their protein.

    Fortunately it remains elevated much longer than this.

    Add to this, if you're not training fasted you may also have amino acids in circulation into the post-workout period which could further diminish any importance of post workout protein urgency.

    All that being said, I still think it's reasonable to get some amino acids in your system somewhere within a couple of hours of training. (But note: If you don't, it's not like your progress will suddenly stop, or your biceps will fall off. Total protein intake is still going to massively trump any theoretical benefits of protein timing).

    http://www.jissn.com/content/10/1/5
  • DatMurse
    DatMurse Posts: 1,501 Member
    Supplement companies would like you to believe that protein synthesis only remains elevated for about 30 minutes after the training bout, but they also want you to buy their protein.

    Fortunately it remains elevated much longer than this.

    Add to this, if you're not training fasted you may also have amino acids in circulation into the post-workout period which could further diminish any importance of post workout protein urgency.

    All that being said, I still think it's reasonable to get some amino acids in your system somewhere within a couple of hours of training. (But note: If you don't, it's not like your progress will suddenly stop, or your biceps will fall off. Total protein intake is still going to massively trump any theoretical benefits of protein timing).

    http://www.jissn.com/content/10/1/5

    this.
    protein and meal timing is irrelvant when it comes to skeletal muscle repair.
    Im sure there has to be a line drawn somewhere...
    there has not been a line drawn yet but there is no anabolic window.

    so dont worry about getting your protein in right away
    http://www.jissn.com/content/9/1/54
  • Huffdogg
    Huffdogg Posts: 1,934 Member
    always
  • GypsysBloodRose26
    GypsysBloodRose26 Posts: 341 Member
    You are going to have to try it out for yourself to find out what your body thinks is best!
  • MrGonzo05
    MrGonzo05 Posts: 1,120 Member
    It does not matter.
  • DatMurse
    DatMurse Posts: 1,501 Member
    You are going to have to try it out for yourself to find out what your body thinks is best!

    people arent snowflakes
  • Huffdogg
    Huffdogg Posts: 1,934 Member
    You are going to have to try it out for yourself to find out what your body thinks is best!

    people arent snowflakes

    b-but...that's not what my mom says.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    You are going to have to try it out for yourself to find out what your body thinks is best!

    people arent snowflakes

    Shhhhh....dude, that's a secret. If you tell them, they'll melt!
  • 156almost
    156almost Posts: 12 Member
    I have more energy if I have my protein shake before my workout. I have better workouts too. I use Sunwarrior Vegan Protein. It is much easier on my stomach that Whey.
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    I just eat all the time
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Supplement companies would like you to believe that protein synthesis only remains elevated for about 30 minutes after the training bout, but they also want you to buy their protein.

    Fortunately it remains elevated much longer than this.

    Add to this, if you're not training fasted you may also have amino acids in circulation into the post-workout period which could further diminish any importance of post workout protein urgency.

    All that being said, I still think it's reasonable to get some amino acids in your system somewhere within a couple of hours of training. (But note: If you don't, it's not like your progress will suddenly stop, or your biceps will fall off. Total protein intake is still going to massively trump any theoretical benefits of protein timing).

    http://www.jissn.com/content/10/1/5

    ^yep.

    Imo, the most important thing, assuming you hit your daily targets, is to time your meals so as to get the best work out.
  • JoanB5
    JoanB5 Posts: 610 Member
    If my protein macro is already high for the day, I don't worry about adding protein post workout, but if I'm low or don't have a high protein planned for the next meal, I go on and supplement. But, I'm a lot smaller than most men working out. ; )
  • TheStephil
    TheStephil Posts: 858 Member
    I usually workout 30 minutes before dinner so my after workout protein is in that.

    I need protein first thing in the morning so I feel... sluggish. Not sure if its a mental thing or not. Either way, it helps me hit my protein macro so I'm not complaining.

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