Protein powder... at breakfast or after a workout?

I have NOT been getting enough protein in my day. So i'm going to start using my protein powder again. I plan on putting it in with some oatmeal for my breakfast tomorrow. BUT - i've been reading all these things about how you should have it right after a workout. My problem is - sometimes i don't get done working out until 6:30 pm - then i want DINNER, NOT A PROTEIN DRINK!

I thought if i had it for breakfast, it would keep me filled up until lunch. Is is ok to have it at breakfast?

If you're using it to improve your protein and not merely as a workout tool, you can have it whenever you want. I have a protein drink in the morning sometimes and then I work out in the evening. Just think of it as a protein supplement.

Actually, having it right before your workout seems to work better than having it right after, for fitness purposes.

 That said, whenever it suits you is fine - your body's protein synthesis is elevated for up to 24 hours following exercise, so having protein for breakfast the day after you worked out will also do you good :)

  thanks guys! I thought it would probably be ok to have it in the morning. Now i'll just have to see if i like it with oatmeal or not!

I like chocolate protein powder on oatmeal...:) mmmm

I read in one article that the best way to drink your Protein is just right after you wake up in the morning, before you workout, and after you just finished working out. It actually worked for me, and it's already in my daily routine.

I'm hoping it will work for you too.

  Well i tried the protein in my oatmeal. It did keep me full for a while (I get up at 5 and am out the door before 6:30 am)!! I didn't get very hungry until about 9:30 or so. BUT... i did NOT like the taste of the powder in my oatmeal - yuck!! I'm not the biggest fan of protein powder to begin with. Plus, i usually eat oatmeal everyday - sometimes even for dinner. So i think i'm used to it a certain way. Adding the powder was just overload - no thank you! Maybe i'll just have to stick to it in smoothies ???

Hey,

 You can have a protein shake whenever you want, it's just that the timing of the shake determines how much protein is absorbed by your body for your muscles.  Taking a protein shake about a half hour or hour before workout and immediately after working out are the best times, because as you work out, your body pushes more amino acids into your muscles (the protein shake you drank beforehand), and afterward your muscles are starved for protein (hence the after workout shake).  But that is only if you want to absorb more protein (a 50-70g serving) than you would by just sitting around; however a scoop of protein here or there during the day is just fine.

 _shift

 PS: mixing it into a smoothie is fine; pretty much anything you want to do with it is alright.  Well, ok, just don't go making a cheesecake with a scoop of protein powder in it.