If you are investing in protein powder, make sure that you are having your protein shakes benefit you to the full potential!
Protein powder has proven itself in the wellness world to be an excellent way for people to enhance their muscles and speed up recovery time, making them capable of excelling with their fitness goals.
Drinking protein shakes is beneficial no matter what your diet is and whether or not you eat meat. Research has shown that protein shakes are able to help you develop lean muscle, build strength, and retain your athleticism without compromising your health in the slightest!
Protein is really just a molecule full of amino acids. It is actually these amino acids that give our body so much aid. Without the, our body wouldn’t be able to build muscle, let alone breathe! The amount of protein that you need really varies on an individual basis. The key is, your body needs it to stay strong.
But protein works not just because of the actual substance, but through the timing in which it is consumed. You can’t simply take a protein shake and expect to instantly grow a six pack! Instead, protein shakes should be integrated into your daily routine and drunk with discipline for the long-term. That is when you will start to see the benefits of drinking protein shakes.
In fact, some research has been done that shows when protein shakes are not consumed properly, they don’t do anything for athletic performance! There is a science behind taking protein shakes and we are here to guide you all the way so that you can decide for yourself if you should be having your protein shake before or after the workout.
Here are some rookie mistakes people make when drinking their protein shakes.
- Protein shakes are not replacement meals
This one is important to remember! Protein shakes should be taken as part of your diet, not just be the sole consumption of your diet! Protein shakes should be looked at similarly to vitamin supplements—they are here to enhance your body and provide extra support. But your body is in no way able to function from just a protein shake alone. Make sure to eat food that is protein rich as well!
- Protein shakes should be kept simple
The health and fitness world has made protein shakes into a very complicated thing. But the reality is, it should be kept simple. The way you look at a scoop of peanut butter or a handful of nuts, you should look at a scoop of protein powder for your shake in the same way. Keep it simple and it will be easier to keep track of your overall calorie consumption—another important component in staying fit and growing your muscles.
- Quality protein does not come cheap
Sorry, but premium products have a price tag. And trust us it is 100% worth it. Think of it like this—you wouldn’t purchase a Ferrari and fill it up with crappy cheap gas. Well, your body is the Ferrari and you should be happy to invest in filling it up with quality products! Cheap protein is probably not made as well anyway, so it won’t be doing as much for you. Invest in your protein, your muscles will thank us later!
- Timing is not a one-fits-all solution
Stop stressing about the timing of when you drink your protein shake. People have spent too much time stressing about the timing without realizing that each person will have different needs. At the end of the day, you just want to make sure you have your protein shake in the span of an hour from your workout because it will be able to help speed up recovery and muscle growth the most during that period. But at the end of the day, if you decide to have it right before, right after or during—that is completely up to you!
- Proteins are not all created equal
Just because your friend is seeing great results from his protein shake does not mean you will see the exact same results as well. All of our bodies are different and so are our nutritional needs and reactions to protein powder. In fact, some people may need allergy friendly protein powder to prevent any bad reactions from occurring. And if you are lactose intolerant, you will want to be extra diligent with the type of protein you are drinking, because some protein powders have different amounts of lactose in them. So do your research and talk to your nutritionist to figure out your best options.
At the end of the day, protein powder offers you protein. It is one component of a healthy diet but very important for people wanting to grow their muscles and recover from workouts. If you are consistent with your protein shakes, you will start to see results!
