Post-workout shakes - pros and cons. Do they help you lose weight?


Proper nutrition is the key to the health of any person. In the modern world, it is difficult to find products that fully satisfy the body's nutritional needs. In this case, it is recommended to use a protein shake as a source of protein.

When consuming a nutritional cocktail, the body is enriched with a variety of substances. It is consumed with porridge and oatmeal. The large amount of protein indicates the benefits of the drink. It is often prepared from powder, which is sold in specialized stores.

The importance of proteins

The need for protein in the body is determined by its functions. This is the main component of all cells in the body. Sports nutrition requires consuming a protein shake, which will help increase endurance. Protein is the main building block of muscle mass and provides positive results in bodybuilding and other sports.

If a sufficient amount of protein enters the body, this ensures an acceleration of metabolism. This component helps control hunger.

In sports, an important indicator is blood sugar level. Therefore, trainers recommend protein shakes to control it.

The drink promotes muscle growth and also provides body weight control. To achieve maximum effect, you need to perform exercises in parallel. Training can be done at home.

Protein shakes for weight loss: features

Benefits of protein shakes for weight loss:

» Low calorie content » Acceleration of metabolism » Prolonged feeling of fullness » Preservation of muscle mass » Reduction of fat percentage » Prevention of spikes in glucose and insulin

Protein shakes for weight loss are consumed in the morning as breakfast. The cocktail can be combined with the following products:

» Fruits » Whole grain bread » Nuts

Protein shakes are drunk 2 hours before training and an hour and a half after to increase energy levels, endurance and preserve muscle fibers.

What do we know about protein shakes?

Protein shake

A protein shake is a carefully selected set of beneficial microelements. The protein drink includes natural water-soluble proteins, which are produced using whey, soybeans and egg white.

Thanks to the protein shake, an effective fight against excess weight is ensured. The drink helps restore and heal the body. The optimal composition of the protein shake accelerates metabolism, which guarantees an effective fight against unwanted deposits. The product is absorbed very quickly, but this does not lead to weight gain.

It is recommended to combine protein drinks with physical activity, which will ensure the formation of body contour. When using the product, it is recommended to follow a balanced diet. A protein shake should replace two meals. It is needed to replace high-calorie and fat-rich foods.

Experts recommend taking protein shakes for athletes, since after drinking them, a feeling of fullness is observed for a long time. That is why a person does not eat junk food for a long period. The natural drink, which is prepared at home, is absolutely safe and does not harm human health.

Why is it important to take protein drinks before and after workouts?

Protein shakes provide a complete set of muscle mass. Drinking a glass of the drink before training will ensure the supply of sufficient protein, which will ensure the growth of muscle mass. Drinking one serving of the drink ensures restoration of strength and the supply of nutrients that charge the body with energy.

Protein shake before and after workout

If you drink a cocktail before training, it will provide endurance and allow a person to give it their all in the gym. Taking a protein drink before training can enhance its effect. This is explained by the fact that during physical activity the body becomes stressed. When consuming a homemade protein shake, protein will be supplied to the body, which will lead to the necessary supply of amino acids. Thanks to the drink, productive training will be ensured. If its main component is juice or milk, it will enrich the body with energy.

After training, it is recommended to drink a protein shake. During this period, the opening of the protein-carbohydrate window is observed. It is accompanied by an urgent need for protein in the body. Protein for muscle growth allows you to fully satisfy these needs.

Recovery phases after training

Sports nutrition for muscle recovery after exercise

Recovery after intense training is a very complex physiological process during which the body strives to restore resources and damaged cells. If the training is carried out correctly, then the muscle tissue is not only restored, but also strengthened and increased in volume. This happens so that next time the muscles can more adequately perceive the load received.

Hypertrophy is a process that increases the volume of muscle cells. This is a natural reaction - the body strives to adapt to constant load and adapts the muscles to this. Adaptation is one of the main reasons for the development of life on Earth. Due to it, the body adapts to changing environmental conditions. And training is one of the things that the body gradually adapts to - which is why it is so important to change training programs before you adapt to the loads.

But let's talk more about recovery. Initially, the recovery phase is divided into four stages:

Rapid recovery phase. It begins immediately after the end of the load. Its duration is about half an hour. At this time, the body significantly changes its metabolism - the primary task is to restore homeostasis and energy reserves - ATP, glycogen and creatine phosphate reserves. In addition, the production of stress hormones stops, and the body begins to secrete anabolic hormones.

Slow recovery phase. As soon as the body has reached equilibrium (homeostasis), the second phase begins. It can be called the most important phase - it is at this moment that protein synthesis is activated, as well as the production of necessary amino acids, enzymes and the restoration of water and electrolyte balance. To repair damaged cells, the body begins to absorb available nutrients from the digestive system. This period is also called the protein-carbohydrate window - almost all the nutrients obtained from food will be used to restore the body’s cells.

Supercompensation. This phase begins a few days after training and lasts about five days. It is almost identical to the delayed recovery phase, however, during the supercompensation phase, the body is most prone to an increase in physiological characteristics. Simply put, the next training of a certain muscle group should occur during the supercompensation phase. In this case, you will receive a qualitative increase in muscle mass, strength and endurance.

Delayed recovery. If during the third phase you did not provide your body with the next portion of training, then the fourth phase will overtake you. It is characterized by bringing the body to its pre-training state. This means that taking too long between workouts can slow down your progress.

How to prepare protein and gainer at home?

Making a protein shake at home requires some knowledge in this area. An effective protein shake should be made from natural and healthy products, which will have a positive effect on your health.

Most of them are prepared on the basis of milk, which should have a minimum level of fat content. Before preparing a protein milkshake, the presence of contraindications is determined. This product has a high glycemic index, so if a person is on a strict diet, it should be avoided.

Making a protein shake at home

You can make your own protein shake based on cottage cheese. This product has the same contraindications as milk. When using cottage cheese, you should give preference to low-fat options.

You can make a drink with an egg. Milk is added to it for muscle growth. Egg white contains amino acids that are easily absorbed. Powdered protein shakes are mixed with an egg and consumed internally before and after a workout. The basis of the drink can be oatmeal, which is characterized by low calorie content.

Cooking recommendations

Preparing a homemade protein shake should follow certain recommendations. It is recommended to prepare natural protein shakes based on:

  • skim milk;
  • homemade milk yogurt;
  • low-fat cottage cheese;
  • soy or almond milk.

Preparing a protein shake with milk requires the correct selection of the second protein ingredient. It is recommended to give preference to nut or almond butter, cottage cheese, raw eggs, protein powder, and skim milk powder. All components are thoroughly mixed in a blender. You can make a protein drink with natural ice cream. When preparing, it is recommended to use fruits or berries. They contain fiber, vitamins and microelements.

A delicious protein drink with low-fat vanilla yogurt. You can add kiwi, bananas, cherries to it. Drinks are also prepared with the addition of strawberries, citrus fruits, apricots, blueberries, etc.

Energy value of bananas

Bananas in bodybuilding are a source of:

  • Carbohydrates . The main value of a banana is fast carbohydrates, which provide energy to the body. The glycemic index of bananas is 60 units, which allows the fruit to be used as a source of carbohydrates both during weight loss and during fat loss;
  • Dietary fiber . Fruits and vegetables are the main source of dietary fiber for an athlete. A bodybuilder can get additional fiber from buckwheat, but it’s worth focusing on fruits and vegetables. 100 grams of bananas contain 2.6 grams of dietary fiber;
  • Vitamins and minerals . Bananas contain a lot of potassium (strengthens the muscular, cardiovascular and nervous systems), manganese (wound healing, brain function, regulation of sugar and cholesterol), copper (nervous system, muscles, immunity). Bananas for bodybuilding are a source of vitamin C, B6, K, and other B vitamins;
  • Belkov . Not so little, but bananas contain useful vegetable proteins;
  • Have a good mood . Bananas contain a lot of tryptophan (an amino acid), which is necessary for the production of serotonin (the pleasure hormone). A banana is simply delicious, which also improves the athlete’s mood.

The energy value of bananas can be seen here:

Energy value of bananas photo

The average banana is 120 grams, peeled. Here are the data per 100 grams of product.

Drink recipes for weight loss

There are various protein shake recipes, which allows a person to choose the most suitable option for himself. The simplest protein shake is prepared in a few minutes based on:

  • 17 g protein;
  • vitamins;
  • minerals;
  • antioxidants;
  • fiber.

A protein shake prepared at home is a low-calorie product that can help you lose weight. The drink is easy to prepare and quickly absorbed.

For weight loss, protein shake recipes differ. You can prepare one of them from crushed oatmeal, liquid egg white, low-fat cottage cheese, water, and sweetener. The composition includes any fresh fruit and mixes it to a homogeneous paste, which can replace sugar.

Protein shake recipes for intense physical activity

If an athlete has intense physical activity, then he can prepare a milkshake for the muscles. For athletic people, it is recommended to prepare a drink based on milk, low-fat cottage cheese, raspberries and a sweetener. This composition is widely used for bodybuilding.

Protein shake ingredients

Before training, you can drink a chocolate-flavored drink. It is prepared on the basis of skim milk, to which whey protein with chocolate flavor is added. You also need to use half of the crushed chocolate bar, add grated almonds. This drink will saturate the body with energy, which will ensure a full workout.

Sports drinks for gaining muscle mass are prepared on the basis of oatmeal. They are crushed using a coffee grinder, mixed with milk, egg white and strawberries. Cocktails made according to this recipe are recommended to be taken after training.

Homemade protein shake recipes call for a variety of fruits. To get an energy boost, it is recommended to prepare a drink based on walnuts, honey, banana, egg white and water. You can add any other fruit to the composition.

There are various effective recipes for protein shakes, which allows a person to choose the best option for himself.

Recipe by Steve Reeves

Steve Reeves is an American actor who is in excellent physical shape. He suggests making an egg cocktail for muscle growth. To prepare it, you need to take milk powder - 2 tbsp, fresh orange juice - 400 ml, 2 eggs, banana, honey - 1 tbsp, gelatin - 1 tbsp. It is recommended to mix all components thoroughly using a blender. An egg shake for muscles will help saturate the body with proteins and energy, which will have a positive effect on the quality of training and muscle growth.

Protein shake recipes for weight gain

Protein shake with banana

It is recommended to prepare a protein shake for muscle growth based on whey protein. This component is mixed with honey and hot coffee. It is recommended to take it before training.

You can make a growth smoothie at home with a large banana and a glass of skim milk. A scoop of protein is added to the composition. You also need to add 1 tbsp nut butter to the drink.

To build muscle, it is recommended to prepare protein drinks. A protein-strawberry drink with protein and ice cream is delicious and nutritious. Take 100 grams of ice cream and add it to milk (200 ml). The composition contains a scoop of protein, strawberries, banana and egg white. It is recommended to take a post-workout shake daily.

To increase muscles at home, it is recommended to prepare a yeast-based drink. The basis of the drink is fruit juice or milk. To grow muscle fibers, you need to add protein powder and brewer's yeast. To ensure a pleasant taste and fortify the drink, a variety of fruits are added to it. They are first whipped in a blender with juice. After this, the remaining components are added to the mixture. The drink is thoroughly mixed. After adding ice cubes, the drink is ready to drink.

Protein at home for muscle growth is recommended for preparing various cocktails. Thanks to the wide variety of recipes, it is possible to select the most affordable option for a person.

Admission rules

Drinking a protein shake in the morning

How a drink is drunk directly depends on the number of calories it contains and the goals set for the person. To lose weight, drink the drink in the morning instead of breakfast. It can be consumed pure or with bread, vegetables, and fruits. This will ensure that the body receives the required amount of proteins that were consumed at night. It will also eliminate the possibility of muscle loss in people who are on a diet.

Thanks to the use of cocktails, the effectiveness of training increases. Athletes are advised not only to eat properly, but also to adhere to the drinking regime. Every day a person should take at least 2 liters of water. You are allowed to drink a cocktail at night, as this is the most effective means of gaining muscle mass. It is recommended to give preference to drinks that do not contain fat. Thanks to this regimen of taking protein shakes, physiological weight loss is ensured, as they block the feeling of hunger.

Drinking cocktails between meals will allow you to establish a full metabolism and enhance the growth of muscle mass. Experts recommend drinking drinks after workouts. Thanks to the rapid absorption of protein, rapid recovery of the body is ensured.

Why can you drink milk after a workout?

Milk helps fight dehydration, replenishes protein reserves and allows you to burn excess lipids. But more about everything.

  1. It's worth drinking one glass of whole milk
    - it contains about eight grams of protein. Moreover, both quickly and slowly absorbed. In this combination, the muscles that worked during training are best restored and strengthened.
  2. Milk contains water, as well as sodium and potassium,
    due to which the body retains fluid longer. And this will save you from severe fatigue and headaches. If you don't eat and drink properly, even after simple activities you can feel exhausted, like after an intense workout.
  3. Whole milk is good for those who want to lose extra pounds
    .
    After all, this drink reduces the feeling of hunger no worse than any hamburger, and after consuming it (if you do not have allergies or other specific reactions) you feel comfortable. No heartburn or belching!

And a few more reasons for drinking milk after a workout:

  • Whole milk contains a lot of calcium
    , which is so beneficial for the skeletal system, and it is the skeleton that is the basis of beautiful posture;
  • low cost
    compared to the proven benefits of the product;
  • completely ready to eat
    and not at all fast food - this is an ideal solution for those who want to eat healthy, but are too lazy to cook anything. After all, there is nothing easier - open the package and pour it into a mug!
Rating
( 1 rating, average 4 out of 5 )
Did you like the article? Share with friends: