Does anyone drink a protein shake after working out?

I have read from different articles that it's good to have carbs and protein in your system 15-60 mins after a good workout. They recommended drinking a protein drink so that your body can absorb it right away and that will help in your weight loss. Is this true?

There's a lot of calories in a protein drink that's why I'm kinda leaning against it. But I'm just wondering if it is really a good drink after working out and if it helps out at all in your weight loss.

I always do, it helps with muscle recovery.  I eat 6x a day so this is one of my mini meals.  I usually just do 1 scoop of whey, water, ice, and 1/2 a banana... its not even 200 cals and tons of protein.  Sometimes I add 2tbs of PB2 in there for another 50 cals.

most ready to drink protein shakes can be high in calories, but the powdered mix with water will usually have only about 120 calories in it per serving, depending on what brand you use of course.  your body needs the protein after working out to replenish what you lost, healing muscle/helping them grow and keeping your body from going into a catabolic state where the body tears down muscle to get the protein/amino acids necessary for everyday maintenance.  i would also get around 20-40 grams after working out, it's the usual norm.

Original Post by morganbclaw:

I always do, it helps with muscle recovery.  I eat 6x a day so this is one of my mini meals.  I usually just do 1 scoop of whey, water, ice, and 1/2 a banana... its not even 200 cals and tons of protein.  Sometimes I add 2tbs of PB2 in there for another 50 cals.

 do you mean 2 tbs of peanut butter and if so what kind of peanut butter is only 50 calories.  i'm a peanut butter fiend but all of them have so many calories i can hardly ever have it.

I typically drink a protein drink after working out, which for me is weight lifting. I use EAS chocolate protein powder and mix it with 20 oz of water.  I factor it into my calorie counts for the day.  I believe this is a much better alternative than the protein shakes and smothies that you can buy at the gym or at smoothie shops. Increasing your protein intake, limiting your carbs and fats should help you loss weight in a healthy way. 

Original Post by keepliftin66:

Original Post by morganbclaw:

I always do, it helps with muscle recovery.  I eat 6x a day so this is one of my mini meals.  I usually just do 1 scoop of whey, water, ice, and 1/2 a banana... its not even 200 cals and tons of protein.  Sometimes I add 2tbs of PB2 in there for another 50 cals.

 do you mean 2 tbs of peanut butter and if so what kind of peanut butter is only 50 calories.  i'm a peanut butter fiend but all of them have so many calories i can hardly ever have it.

Its called PB2... its made from defatted peanuts.. 2 tbs is really only 50 cals.  Its a powder, so you have to mix it with water, its perfect for shakes.  It doesn't taste identical to peanut butter because there is hardly any fat in it but I still think its really good. :)

http://www.bellplantation.com/

I do if I'm in a hurry! I like Spiru-Tein brand Tropical flavor with Skim milk and sometimes banana or blueberries.  They have TONS of flavors, too!

I always just drink chocolate soy milk after a workout.

My latest discovery for protein shakes is mixing egg whites (the kind that come in the carton--you can't separate your own eggs for this one) with frozen berries, sometimes some banana and a splash of milk.  I use about 1/2 cup of the egg whites (they are ok to eat raw as they are pasteurized and they are completely tasteless) which doesn't have quite as much protein as the powders (about 12-13 grams per half cup)  but only has 60 calories and no other additives.  I was skeptical but I really like them and can have a nice big smoothie for 150 calories or less.  Depending on how much protein you want, you could use more egg whites too.  I find my body really likes the protein after the gym!!

Actually I heard that all that protein is real hard for the body to absorb at once and you're better off just eating something balanced - a fried egg on toast for example

Original Post by lafoutloud01:

Actually I heard that all that protein is real hard for the body to absorb at once and you're better off just eating something balanced - a fried egg on toast for example

 Really?  I've never heard that!  Most people I know who lift a lot recommend a hearty amount of protein after a workout.  I probably don't have enough with my 12-13 grams (15-20 is probably better).  Although I have heard that the body cannot absorb more than 25 grams at one time (not sure what happens to the excess though!!).

Absolute staple in this house!  Depending on actual workout it varies between Surge or Muscle Milk but those are our faves.

I will definitely have to try the pb2, i really appreciate that, awesome!  Honestly if you're looking for one of the best proteins out there it's Optimum Nutrition's Gold Standard Whey, it's a whey protein isolate which helps ingest the protein to your muscles faster and more efficiently, think of whey protein with an ultra filtered process just to get the good stuff.  It also has several grams of bcaa's and glutamine, the amino acids you need for your body to help recover after strenuous activity.  It was the one that I mentioned earlier that's only 120 calories for one scoop and that has 24 grams of protein in it.  To the person that posted it earlier, your body breaks down proteins better when it's from food but after working out you need that hit of protein fast and whey or soy protein shakes are the best way to do that.  After I workout there's no way I could eat a fried egg on toast, that could just be me.  Also the average egg only contains about 7 grams of protein along with 70 calories on average, where with most shakes you get 24g for 120calories.  You made a good point about protein better broke down when it's in food but I would definitely recommend the protein shake after working out.  Muscle milk can be very good as well but if you're looking to cut calories, it just has too many for me.

Muscle milk sets up at: 300 calories per 2 scoops on the regular but the light is only 195 per 2 scoops, still keeps the 25g protein.  I find it a lot more palatable compared to other brands.  May have to test out Optimum though, always on the lookout for alternatives.

the other day on bodybuilding.com Optimum Nutrition was voted number 1 supplement for something like the 6th straight year.  I've tried about everything else it seems to work better for me than most.

any flavors to avoid??  don't need another nasty shock like rootbeer surge was (barf) after hearing it was pretty good!

extreme chocolate is fairly sweet, i have a weak stomach in the morning so i go with the double rich chocolate.  with water they both taste pretty good but with milk both of them actually come close to a rich chocolate.  i know what you mean i usually stay away from anything mint, fruit flavored or anything like rootbeer.  chocolate is the flavor most companies work the hardest at perfecting so that's what i usually go with.  the vanilla is pretty good too just a bigger fan of the chocolate.

I am the world's biggest skeptic when it comes to everything that promises to work wonders for your body but one day I did break down and buy some protein powder and try it out after workouts.  My biggest problem was finding one without artificial ingredients in it like Aspartame, Sucralose, Artificial colours and flavours, etc, because I simply refuse to eat anything artificial.   I finally did find one by North Coast Naturals which is 100% pure whey protein isolate.  Everything in it is natural.  The usual 24 g of protein per scoop. 

I started mixing up a shake with 1/2 cup of OJ, 1/2cup of Brown Rice or Soy Milk, 1/2 cup of water, 1 banana, 1-2 tbsp of either pure cocoa or carob powder, 1 tbsp of wheat germ and 1/2 tsp of guar gum, a natural thickener.  I think that gets you 300 calories, but after working out, this drink is very filling and keeps me full, or at least not hungry for at least 2-3 hours, so if you include the workout time, it actually could be a meal replacement if you are concerned about weight gain. 

And it really works to speed recovery.  You muscles will feel better immediately after your workout and the next day with more energy all around.  The potassium in the bananas and protein in the milks, cocoa powder and protein powder, really work to speed muscle recovery.  You should feel the difference. 

nice dude, i looked up the north coast protein and saw where it was sweetened with stevia.  i've been cooking with that for about a year now.

In general, I've been having a hard time getting protein in my diet.... would you recommend having a protein drink even if its not right after a workout? I don't know enough about them. 

i have a protein drink as soon as i wake up, your body needs it because your body is fasting while you're asleep.  my protein shake routine is 36grams when i wake, 24 before i lift, 48grams after i lift and 36grams of casein before i go to bed.  ofcourse i'm also 325 pounds, so you won't need as much.  basically what i'm saying is definitely in the morning, optional before workout, necessary after workout and optional before bed.