Protein shakes for football??

Ryan4698
Ryan4698 Posts: 20
in Food and Nutrition
Hello everyone, I've just started football this year and purchased protein shakes and power bars through my coach (as did every other Varsity player). My only question is, is it good, or ok for me to be drinking these only after practices? Our practice includes 1 hour of weight lifting, another hour of pure cardio and agility training, and another hour out in the field doing drills. I might also mention that i'm overweight (230 lb at 5' 11"). I figure drinking the protein shakes will only make me gain more fat, but might they also start helping my muscles progress and in turn help with the weight loss and muscle gain? I'm just confused, basic question would be, should I be drinking these Protein shakes after doing a 3 hour football practice even when i'm overweight...?

(The protein shakes are from Gatorade, some important nutrition info as stated ----> 20 g Protein, 20 g Sugar, 45 g Carbs, 270 Calories......Practice is 7 am to 10:30 -11 am, I don't eat anything when I get home except the shake and wait until dinner)

The shake
> http://www.gatorade.com/products/g-series/protein-shake


Thanks - Ryan

(Our coach didn't make us buy them, he was offered by gatorade and in turn just let us know about it, and asked if anyone would like to order them. We have a Nutritionist coach as well who stated these would help us, and the majority of people will gain muscle...whether this is true or not I'm not sure. She said it would help with the recovery for our muscles after practices)

Replies

  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    A) It sounds like you guys got done by your coach by buying supplements through him.

    B) The only think that makes you gain fat is a caloric surplus.

    C) You will very doubtfully gain muscle and lose fat. It's virtually impossible.

    D) A protein shake is exactly that....no more. It's a protein supplement to help you meet your protein macro goals which in turn can help muscle retention (in a deficit) and growth (in a surplus).

    There is nothing wrong with a protein shake (dependent upon how it fits your caloric goals), and timing doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if you take is right after practice, or right before you go to bed.

    EDIT: That is not a lot of protein substance for a "ton" of calories IMHO. The carb to protein ratio makes me think it's a pre-workout supplement and not really a protein supplement.
  • rejectuf
    rejectuf Posts: 487 Member
    You're doing 3 hours of exercise, that shake isn't going to be what makes you fat. You say it has 270 calories, you have that after practice then eat nothing until dinner? Do you eat breakfast? You need to eat enough that you are able to maintain intensity during your exercise. Look up a TDEE calculator and figure out how many calories per day you should be eating.

    If this is the first time you've been doing heavy lifting in awhile, you will build some muscle while losing fat. It happens, just not for long. After that you'll just be building strength while burning fat. Keeping your protein intake high and lifting heavy will help make sure you burn fat and not muscle as you lose weight.
  • rejectuf
    rejectuf Posts: 487 Member

    EDIT: That is not a lot of protein substance for a "ton" of calories IMHO. The carb to protein ratio makes me think it's a pre-workout supplement and not really a protein supplement.

    Seems like the shake is supposed to be for recovery and drank immediately after exercise. In that case a mix of carbs/protein makes sense.
  • thavoice
    thavoice Posts: 1,326 Member
    Hello everyone, I've just started football this year and purchased protein shakes and power bars through my coach (as did every other Varsity player). My only question is, is it good, or ok for me to be drinking these only after practices? Our practice includes 1 hour of weight lifting, another hour of pure cardio and agility training, and another hour out in the field doing drills. I might also mention that i'm overweight (230 lb at 5' 11"). I figure drinking the protein shakes will only make me gain more fat, but might they also start helping my muscles progress and in turn help with the weight loss and muscle gain? I'm just confused, basic question would be, should I be drinking these Protein shakes after doing a 3 hour football practice even when i'm overweight...?

    (The protein shakes are from Gatorade, some important nutrition info as stated ----> 20 g Protein, 20 g Sugar, 45 g Carbs, 270 Calories......Practice is 7 am to 10:30 -11 am, I don't eat anything when I get home except the shake and wait until dinner)

    The shake
    > http://www.gatorade.com/products/g-series/protein-shake


    Thanks - Ryan

    (Our coach didn't make us buy them, he was offered by gatorade and in turn just let us know about it, and asked if anyone would like to order them. We have a Nutritionist coach as well who stated these would help us, and the majority of people will gain muscle...whether this is true or not I'm not sure. She said it would help with the recovery for our muscles after practices)
    You have been had.

    If you want a post workout/practice drink simply make a chocolate milk. Check out the research online about how good choc milk is for you after a workout. It beats all the expensive shakes and such that are peddled to you.

    Will they make you overweight? Not necessarily but if you also consume those in conjuction with your normal intake then you are consuming more than you need.


    I jus showed this to my buddy who is the coach at our HS football team and he laughed at it. The couch shouldnt be peddling this to his kids and even though he doesnt MAKE you buy it...the power of persuasion from an authority figure is strong. Our program doesnt do that garbage and they have won back to back state titles and 4 of the last 9.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member

    EDIT: That is not a lot of protein substance for a "ton" of calories IMHO. The carb to protein ratio makes me think it's a pre-workout supplement and not really a protein supplement.

    Seems like the shake is supposed to be for recovery and drank immediately after exercise. In that case a mix of carbs/protein makes sense.

    Yep, it's the Gatorade Recovery. Been there, done that, started drinking it during/before instead.
  • writergeek313
    writergeek313 Posts: 390 Member
    A protein shake doesn't sound like it's enough to hold you over until dinner after several hours of strenuous exercise, unless you've had a large breakfast before working out. Yes, the goal is to eat a deficit to lose weight, but not eating enough will make it difficult for you to perform at your best and have enough energy for your body to do the things it needs to to keep you healthy.

    You mention that your team has a nutritionist. I'd suggest talking to her to get some help figuring out what your calories and macros should be.
  • bv109
    bv109 Posts: 83
    did not read. at your age, just please eat food op
  • Ryan4698
    Ryan4698 Posts: 20
    Thanks for replying, (same for everyone), I do infact eat a very large breakfeast in the morning with 3 pancakes, and eggs. That usually holds me over until after practice.
  • rejectuf
    rejectuf Posts: 487 Member
    Thanks for replying, (same for everyone), I do infact eat a very large breakfeast in the morning with 3 pancakes, and eggs. That usually holds me over until after practice.

    Make sure you are eating enough. A few pancakes and eggs, a 270 calorie shake, and a dinner does not seem like nearly enough for someone your age and activity level. Seriously, TDEE calculator. Google it and use it.

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