Should I Drink Protein Shakes?
Protein shakes are a staple food in any athlete’s diet. They are ingested both before and after training and contribute to achieving greater results in a shorter period of time.
What are protein shakes?
Protein shakes are one of the most popular dietary supplements among athletes. This is because in addition to being effective they are easy to drink and there are several flavors.
In simple words, protein shakes are supplements that have a high concentration of proteins. To reach these doses of this nutrient through food would be practically impossible since we would have to consume quantities of food much higher than those recommended.
In any case, speaking generally about protein shakes isn’t entirely correct. The reality is that there are different types depending on their ingredients. You can also find different flavors and different absorption speeds.
The best time to consume protein shakes
Protein shakes should be consumed at the times when the body will need an extra boost of this nutrient. Drinking them at an inappropriate time or in an excessive amount, in addition to not being useful, will increase your level of fat. So that you get the most out of protein shakes, we’ll explain the best times to drink them:
- After training. It’s the perfect time to have a protein shake. The body has no energy because it has just made a great effort and needs to be nourished. At this time the best we can give our body is a potent dose of protein. It’s the moment when the muscles will absorb them in a more effective way and the results will be more visible. If we also want to have a quick and effective recovery we should consume it along with foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, prunes or kiwis.
- Before training. This shake is not as essential as after training and is only recommended for people who are about to make huge physical efforts.
Precautions you should take
You should have protein shakes if you do high-intensity workouts, which means that you burn more proteins than you consume. Reaching these high protein rates through food would be very difficult to achieve since you would have to eat large amounts of foods rich in this nutrient.
For cases like these, protein shakes are the perfect food supplements. Moreover, you should always consume protein shakes with control and in limited amounts. These types of supplements are only effective if you consume them at the right time and in the right amounts. If it’s not put to good use and taken in excess, the protein becomes fat and therefore the only thing that is achieved is an increase in weight.
Another aspect that you should keep in mind is the brand and the place where you buy the protein shakes. Currently, they can be purchased in any store both physically and through the Internet and in many formats and flavors. Our recommendation is that you always opt for specialized stores. In addition, many of them have specialized staff that will advise you on the supplement that best suits your needs.
In conclusion, if you train at a medium or high level and your body needs more protein than it consumes, shakes are the best option to achieve the desired results. Always take shakes under the advice of a professional and buy them in specialized stores.
