Protein Bar vs. Protein Shake... Does it matter?

Hi!

  My question is actually about the protein needed after weight lifting. Does it need to be a protein shake to be utilized quickly? Would a protein bar do as well? Is there a protein meal that would be good for fast absorption...?

Really like to know for sure! (I get tired of washing the blender,lol!!!)

Thanks!

A shake is going to be your most fast for absorption, however if you want real food just stick away from fat and you will be fine as fat greatly is not good for fast absorption. Yogert is a great thing post work out, as long as its not sugar added it has everything in it you need.

shakes are the way to go, then have a solid meal an hour and a half later

I would avoid protein bars solely becase most either have a lot of saturated fat or are made with sugar alcohols.

they also sit in your stomach like a brick!

My post workout protein shake is my meal....Dinner actually since I lift at night..2 scoops whey protein, 1 cup skim milk, 1 cup fresh fruit, tons of ice...fills the blender....

I couldn't possibly eat a solid meal after that...it would be 10 pm and I'm still full anyway! 

I have a Pure Protein bar mid afternoon..19g protein...keeps me going and not snacking!

Thanks!

   Just 'bout what I thought- including the 'brick,' lol!

   I add less liquid, to tame the size... I understand that 'hard to finish it all,' problem of the blender full :-)

   I found a recent small shake is to just add plain cocoa powder to the dry protein and mix well, before adding 'just-enough,' water... With Body Fortress Vanilla, it works pretty good...mix it good!... and it's coffee cup size :-)

   Cocoa's good for you, too, without the fat and sugar :-)

   The bar is my meal replacement if a meal is difficult to do.

   Thanks for the posts, I really wanted to be sure I was doing the right things at the right times!

   So far, so good! The exercise and protein you previously recommended, bodyscience, are already working GREAT!

Should be a pretty high carb liquid, plus a little protein post workout/weights.  Something like 4 to 1 carb/protien.