Meal or Protein Shake?

topfuel · Dec 13, 2008

I have been told that it is better to drink a protein shake after a workout since you have about a 2 hour window for your body to best absorb it. Before I was always told that a high protein meal was the best way to aproach it. It was brought to my attention that the food sits in the intestines and the body doesn't have enough time to absorb it. Does anyone have any other opinions on this subject?

Mash1 · Dec 13, 2008

topfuel said:
I have been told that it is better to drink a protein shake after a workout since you have about a 2 hour window for your body to best absorb it. Before I was always told that a high protein meal was the best way to aproach it. It was brought to my attention that the food sits in the intestines and the body doesn't have enough time to absorb it. Does anyone have any other opinions on this subject?

Eat when your hungry, don't worry about the "window"

Uluwatu · Dec 13, 2008

Mash....How long have you not been "worrying about the "window" after training?
All the literature I have ever read always talks about having at least something to eat or drink right after training. You don't feel you get better results eating right after training?

Mash1 · Dec 13, 2008

I think it makes absolutely no difference in gaining muscle. If you REALLY want me to I'll look up a lot of literature for you proving this too.

I think it's dumb to think it's ABSOLUTELY neccessary to top off your glycogen stores after a workout, like your not fine with what you have at that time?

I think preworkout/postworkout is the most overrated thing in bodybuilding and it's ESPECIALLY hyped up by all these supp companies to make more dough. If people put half as much thinking into their meals throughout the day as they did their "postworkout drink" they'd be alot better off.

However though, don't get me confused, your MEALS after your workout are very, very important, but I say don't worry about eating directly after your workout like some people seem soooooo diligent in doing.

AWN2004 · Dec 13, 2008

Mash1 said:
I think it makes absolutely no difference in gaining muscle. If you REALLY want me to I'll look up a lot of literature for you proving this too.

I think it's dumb to think it's ABSOLUTELY neccessary to top off your glycogen stores after a workout, like your not fine with what you have at that time?

I think preworkout/postworkout is the most overrated thing in bodybuilding and it's ESPECIALLY hyped up by all these supp companies to make more dough. If people put half as much thinking into their meals throughout the day as they did their "postworkout drink" they'd be alot better off.

However though, don't get me confused, your MEALS after your workout are very, very important, but I say don't worry about eating directly after your workout like some people seems soooooo diligent in doing.

Post training is quite possibly the most catabolic place for your body to be. To not consume some type of nutrients/calories is foolish. There have been a billion studies regarding what I just mentioned with the focus being on recovery. Now I can only speak for myself but I feel a huge difference and I KNOW there is a difference in how fast I recover.

I'm not telling anyone what they should be doing but I will keep with what has been working for me for years.

TJB · Dec 13, 2008

topfuel said:
I have been told that it is better to drink a protein shake after a workout since you have about a 2 hour window for your body to best absorb it. Before I was always told that a high protein meal was the best way to aproach it. It was brought to my attention that the food sits in the intestines and the body doesn't have enough time to absorb it. Does anyone have any other opinions on this subject?

BOTH.. I'm always ravenous after training

Don't over think it..

Mr.Bungle · Dec 13, 2008

it frustrates me

I've lurked here for so long i feel bad saying something. But in the last couple months I've started looking at all this talk. Most of it just supports the supplement companies. You dopt need three supplement drinks a day. Eat a balanced diet live strong be healthy.
We love each other for it.

Mash1 · Dec 13, 2008

AWN2004 said:
Post training is quite possibly the most catabolic place for your body to be. To not consume some type of nutrients/calories is foolish. There have been a billion studies regarding what I just mentioned with the focus being on recovery. Now I can only speak for myself but I feel a huge difference and I KNOW there is a difference in how fast I recover.

I'm not telling anyone what they should be doing but I will keep with what has been working for me for years.

That's your opinion, I don't feel forcing carbs/protein down my throat if I have NO desire to eat whatsoever is going to help anything but my fat cells. I train high intensity and am never in the gym for 30-35 minutes and I don't think or feel I need something directly after I workout. Granted I will consume a meal within an hour of working out because then I AM hungry.

I guess I might be foolish though.

Mash1 · Dec 13, 2008

I'm by no means any veteran to any of this though, just stating what I've experienced and read the past few months when I finally think I've nailed this nutrition and training down.

It's just my 0.02...

AWN2004 · Dec 13, 2008

Mash1 said:
That's your opinion, I don't feel forcing carbs/protein down my throat if I have NO desire to eat whatsoever is going to help anything but my fat cells. I train high intensity and am never in the gym for 30-35 minutes and I don't think or feel I need something directly after I workout. Granted I will consume a meal within an hour of working out because then I AM hungry.

I guess I might be foolish though.

I needed to re-read what was typed because I missed a few key words that lead to me snapping off and calling people foolish which I appologize. For some reason I thought the mentioned theory was to not eat at all post training. Thats what I meant as being foolish. So once again...my bad.

buselmo · Dec 13, 2008

I have not noticed any difference whatsoever in drinking a whey shake, eating solid food, or just not eating for hours after working out. It's not about "if i do it right in these 2 hours, gains will be better"... you have to look at the bigger picture here. If you ate 40-60 grams of protein from chicken or steak or whatever 1-2 hours before working out... and you say that your body doesn't absorb it as fast... won't you have enough amino acids running through your body from "slow absorption" even after you work out, and even hours after that?
Personally, i would prefer shakes due to less volume in the stomach and intestines. My waist is ALWAYS much smaller and my stomach is not bloated at all when I take in most of my protein in the form of shakes.

just my opinion

loganb_football · Dec 13, 2008

buselmo said:
I have not noticed any difference whatsoever in drinking a whey shake, eating solid food, or just not eating for hours after working out. It's not about "if i do it right in these 2 hours, gains will be better"... you have to look at the bigger picture here. If you ate 40-60 grams of protein from chicken or steak or whatever 1-2 hours before working out... and you say that your body doesn't absorb it as fast... won't you have enough amino acids running through your body from "slow absorption" even after you work out, and even hours after that?
Personally, i would prefer shakes due to less volume in the stomach and intestines. My waist is ALWAYS much smaller and my stomach is not bloated at all when I take in most of my protein in the form of shakes.

just my opinion

Im with Mash on this one. I do have some lba's during my workout, but some days I dont have a meal post workout till about 2-3 hours later, but somedays I'll have 2-3 meals in 4 hours. It's really all dependant on the day.

Big Bapper · Dec 13, 2008

PWO waxy maize, BCAAs, Glutamine and creatine. 20-30mins later 75g synthepure. Then as soon as you feel good to eat have some solid food.

patrick · Dec 13, 2008

shakes

i havent taken any protein shakes for a long time now and i only eat when hungry. Never felt better before. No more bloated stomach due to the protein shakes. And progress is better than ever.

Your body knows when it needs nutrients. So why do people think they know better by eating every 2 hrs, just like i used to do.......

Plus i dont have to watch the clock to know when to eat. My stomach tells me when its time.

Mash1 · Dec 13, 2008

AWN2004 said:
I needed to re-read what was typed because I missed a few key words that lead to me snapping off and calling people foolish which I appologize. For some reason I thought the mentioned theory was to not eat at all post training. Thats what I meant as being foolish. So once again...my bad.

Absolutely no harm done man! I appreciate your apology!

njpooldude · Dec 13, 2008

patrick said:
i havent taken any protein shakes for a long time now and i only eat when hungry. Never felt better before. No more bloated stomach due to the protein shakes. And progress is better than ever.

Your body knows when it needs nutrients. So why do people think they know better by eating every 2 hrs, just like i used to do.......

Plus i dont have to watch the clock to know when to eat. My stomach tells me when its time.

i do like the way that sounds, but i always thought u had to eat more to grow more...

i dnt know... so many different ways to do things, and i guess everyone grows by doing things that work for them

patrick · Dec 13, 2008

njpooldude said:
i do like the way that sounds, but i always thought u had to eat more to grow more...
i dnt know... so many different ways to do things, and i guess everyone grows by doing things that work for them

i didnt say that you had to eat less. just when you're hungry. the trick is to try and make your body be hungry more frequently.

bigfatandugly · Dec 13, 2008

Mash1 said:
I'm by no means any veteran to any of this though, just stating what I've experienced and read the past few months when I finally think I've nailed this nutrition and training down.

It's just my 0.02...

bro, i have been doing this for well over a decade and i am far from 'nailing' anything down.

i sincerely doubt a few months would allow you to figure anything out, let alone what works best for you.

not a flame, just my opinion.

BFU

Mash1 · Dec 13, 2008

I was stating that I've CHANGED to this for the past few months and it works the best for cutting fat and no change in weight loss to ME. Like I said it's my 0.02 so take it for what it's worth. I think people would be suprised though if you would just try it.