Should You Take Protein Before Bed
The elderly, as well as people looking to build muscle, increase strength and improve exercise performance and recovery, can benefit from taking protein before bed .
In a review of studies, scientists concluded that taking protein before bed is an effective strategy to promote muscle building and help them adapt to exercise .
This is because protein consumed before bed is effectively digested and absorbed, increasing the availability of protein to muscles for recovery throughout the night.
Scientists from that study recommended consuming 40 grams of protein prior to bed to maximize muscle growth and adaptation through the night .
In another study in 16 healthy elderly men, half the participants consumed casein protein before bed, while the other half consumed a placebo. The study showed consuming casein protein before bed promoted muscle growth, even in less active elderly people .
If you want to take protein before bed, you may consider taking a form of casein protein. Casein is digested slowly, which means it can provide the body with a steady supply of protein through the night .
You can also get the benefits of casein protein from real foods instead of supplements. Dairy products like cottage cheese and Greek yogurt are high in casein.
What Happens When You Eat Protein
When you eat protein, acid and enzymes in your stomach break it down into amino acids.
Some forms of protein, like whey, break down quickly, whereas others, like egg, take quite a bit longer.
The amino acids make their way into the small intestine, which contains special cells that transport them into the blood. From there, theyre shuttled into cells everywhere in your body for use.
Now, many different things ultimately happen in your body when you eat protein, so lets reframe the question to fit the context of this discussion:
How does eating protein affect your muscles?
And to understand that, we need to zero in on one of the essential amino acids in protein: leucine.
Leucine has a special place in bodybuilders hearts because it directly stimulates protein synthesis, which is the process by which amino acids are arranged into proteins that can then be used for muscle growth.
As you can imagine, the amount of amino acids supplied by a meal affects the amount of muscle growth that can occur as a result.
Rule #: Prioritize Total Daily Intake
Theres no denying that people who drink post-workout shakes tend to reach their goals faster. Indeed, a recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that those who consumed them for 12 weeks gained two more pounds of muscle than those who didnt. But that post workout shake becomes even more important in the context of boosting your total daily protein intake, says Schoenfeld.
Like every other tissue in your body, your muscles are in a constant state of renewal, and every time you work out, you cause the protein in them to break down and build up faster than normal. The technical term for this process is protein turnover, and as long as the latter part of the equation exceeds the break down , your muscles are remodeled into bigger and stronger versions of themselves. The best way to ensure that happens is by eating more protein. Your muscles are especially receptive to it after a training session, says Schoenfeld. But they remain receptive for more than just 30 minutes.
You May Like: What Are Functions Of Proteins
When Is The Best Time To Take Whey
Although there is no one best time to consume any protein, there are more optimal times to include it in our diet. It is important that we time our meals well so that our total protein intake is distributed at regular intervals throughout the day, rather than just in one or two meals. Consuming 20-40g protein at each meal is a good guideline to follow in order to achieve our daily needs.
Breakfast
Breakfast is a key time to consume a portion of the energy and essential nutrients our body needs to function and perform optimally. Carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of energy so including them in greater quantities in breakfast can fuel us for the activity ahead. On the other hand, if we are less active, we may include more healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, avocado, eggs, etc., in our breakfast and reduce the carbohydrate content. However one thing that doesnt change is our need for protein at breakfast time. Our body has been fasting all night, and recovering from the day before. This means our muscles have spent hours breaking down our proteins while rebuilding and repairing any damage to our muscles from the previous day. Consuming a source of protein at breakfast time will help to maintain muscle tissue and aid the adaptation process following exercise as well as helping us to feel fuller for longer into the afternoon.
Between meals
Post-exercise
Before bed
When Is The Best Time To Eat Protein Bars
The best time to eat your protein bar is post workout. After your workout it will deliver protein to your muscles and help with muscle recovery and growth.
It is generally recommended that if you are going more than 4 hours between meals, a protein bar is a great way to get a protein top up. If you are planning on working out, you should eat your protein bar one to two hours prior this will ensure that you have metabolised everything your body needs and you can workout without having just eaten.
Post workout, you have a one hour window to ingest your protein so that your muscles can use it straight away. This is known as the anabolic window and is thought to be the optimum time to get the most from your supplement. If you miss this window, dont fret. Youll still get the benefits in terms of recovery.
In summary, a protein bar after your workout will help you get the best out of your supplementation.
Also Check: Protein And Blood In Urine
Who Should Be Eating Protein Bars
Protein bars arent just for recovery and performance. They can be part of a weight-loss journey, a snack for a rushed parent on the go, or just as a tasty treat when you fancy something sweet.
Smart Bars are suitable for anyone who seeks macro-friendly indulgence. In other words, those who crave confectionery but want a low-sugar alternative that will fill you up for longer. Additionally, the convenience of a Smart Bar as a grab-and-go snack that can be enjoyed anytime of the day makes it a cupboard essential for anyone with a busy lifestyle.
We also have a Plant-based version of Smart Bar Plant which is the best vegan protein bar on the market for vegetarians and vegans. In addition to this, Smart Bar Plant as with Smart Bar, is palm oil-free.
Looking for even smarter snacking? Our Smart Bar Half Size, with the same great taste but in a handy snack size, is the perfect protein-filled treat to carry around in your gym bag or coat pocket. Youll never be caught out hungry again!
How To Take A Protein Shake
Simply adding a scoop of protein to some water, milk or a smoothie can be a really easy way of consuming whey and is a relatively low calorie, protein-rich option. When deciding what to put in your protein shake, first think about what you need from it and then add your other ingredients accordingly. For a higher carbohydrate content, before or after exercise, you could add oats, banana or some honey. For a lower carbohydrate shake, with higher unsaturated fat , peanut butter, avocado or greek yoghurt work well. Kineticas Ready to Drink protein shakes come in a 330ml bottle and are a convenient way of getting protein on board too, and are easy to pack with you on the go.
Also Check: Things To Add To Protein Shake
Best Food Sources Of Protein
- Chicken , fish , eggs
- Low-fat milk and milk products such as curd, paneer, cheese
- Red kidney beans , chickpea , horse gram, black gram, black-eyed or cowpea and green gram
- Mixed grains as sprouts, green and dry peas, split grams
Nutritionist, Soumita Biswas also explained, “Timing and portion of your meal are important. If you want to lose weight try to maintain the same timing daily. As breakfast is the major meal try to consume protein-rich breakfast which helps to reduce the risk of accumulation of fat in the body and reduce appetite by reducing the level of hunger hormone named Ghrelin.
The intake of protein and timings of consuming protein depends on your activity level. There are many controversies regarding the best time to eat protein. To reap the most weight loss benefits, aim to eat plenty of protein-rich foods throughout the day. A high protein diet is beneficial for weight loss”
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
Eating Protein & Carbs After Working Out
“After a workout, you need to replenish your body with carbs and protein within 30 minutes,” says Berkman. “As your body works to repair and build your muscles, you need protein to provide essential amino acids needed in this process, and since youve depleted your glycogen stores while exercising, you need to replenish this by eating carbs,” Berkman explains. “Nutrient timing post-exercise calls for a mix of carbs and protein within 45 minutes post exercise,” adds Bede. Try a Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and almonds, or a slice of toast with a banana and peanut butter.
Recommended Reading: Does Protein Give You Energy
Inside Filippo Gannas Uci Hour Record Nutrition Strategy
On Saturday 8th October, Filippo Ganna set the new UCI Hour Record, achieving 56.792 kilometres in 60 minutes at the Tissot Velodrome in Grenchen, Switzerland. Ganna covered 1,244 metres more than fellow INEOS Grenadier, Dan Bingham, who previously broke the record just two months earlier. Adding to this, Ganna became the first cyclist to beat
Are You Getting Too Much Protein
Topics in this Post
Judging by all the protein bars, shakes and powders out there, you could be led to believe that you need a protein supplement. These products claim to curb appetite, help with weight loss and build muscle. But what’s the real story?
Contrary to all the hype that everyone needs more protein, most people in the U.S. meet or exceed their needs. This is especially true for males ages 1959. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 20202025 indicate that men in that age range are exceeding their protein recommendations, especially from meat, poultry and eggs. Even athletes often get more protein than they need without supplements because their calorie requirements are higher. With more food comes more protein.
You May Like: Breakfast Food With High Protein
What Are The Best Ingredients For A Protein Shake
When it comes to choosing ingredients for your protein shake, it’s important to consider your goals and dietary needs. If you’re trying to build muscle, opt for ingredients that are high in protein and low in fat.
Good choices include whey or casein protein powder, skim milk, and Greek yogurt. If you’re trying to lose weight, opt for ingredients that are high in protein and fiber and low in calories. Other solid choices include whey or casein protein powder, unsweetened almond milk, and spinach. If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, be sure to choose ingredients that fit your needs.
Rule #: Follow These Rules Regardless Of Your Sport
Most people talk about protein supplementation in the context of strength and power training, but heres the thing: Endurance athletes build muscle, too. If youre a runner or a cyclist, your muscles might not be as large or as defined as those of a sprinter or a bodybuilder, but theyre made of the same stuff , and need to be fed the same stuff to grow stronger and become more efficient at producing energy and resisting fatigue.
Like strength training, endurance workouts also stimulate protein synthesis, according to researchers at Ball State University. In their study, protein synthesis increased 50 to 60 percent in the hours immediately following a 60-minute bike ride at a moderate pace. Feeding your muscles protein during those hours can help you boost your endurance and become a stronger, more formidable athlete. Youll also bounce back from workouts faster, reducing the amount of time you need to recover between them, according to another study by the same researchers.
Bottom line: It doesnt matter what type of exercise you doincreasing your protein intake is one of the smartest moves you can make to maximize your performance.
Save
You May Like: Protein That Makes You Gain Weight
Don’t Eat Protein If You Aren’t Hungry
Many people view proteins, like chicken, steak, or tofu, as necessary dinner staples. But if you aren’t feelin’ it, it’s perfectly fine to eat something else.
“If you took in adequate protein throughout the day while you were active, and would prefer a light meal at night, you can skip the protein,” Auslander Moreno says. “Perhaps you want a bowl of bean pasta, some avocado toast, or maybe just some oatmeal.”
If other options sound more appealing, there’s no need to eat a traditional “meat and potatoes” type dinner. “As long as you are consistently meeting protein goals over time,” she says, “it’s definitely OK to skip the ‘classic’ protein source at times, if general needs are being met.”
Exercise Performance And Recovery
Added protein has been shown to increase endurance during training and workouts, as well as reduce soreness and speed up post-workout recovery. The timing of your protein intake matters here, whether you’re eating high-protein foods or taking supplements. Read on to learn about workout-specific timing recommendations.
Don’t Miss: Protein Powder At Sam’s Club
Does The Timing Of Protein Intake Matter For Muscle
This article was published more than 6 months ago. Some information may no longer be current.
Its claimed that casein, a slowly digested dairy protein, enhances overnight muscle protein synthesis.Mitch Hrdlicka/Getty Images
If youre trying to put on muscle, you probably pay close attention to protein. Combined with resistance training the most potent stimulus for increasing muscle mass and strength getting enough protein can help you realize this goal.
Is there an optimal time, though, to eat that protein?
Perhaps youve heard that consuming protein immediately after a workout boosts muscle-building. Or that a protein shake before you sleep is best to enhance exercise-induced muscle gain.
Turns out, evidence doesnt support meticulously timing your protein shake around workouts or bedtime.
Heres what to know about the link between protein timing and muscle mass and strength.
When Should You Eat Protein
The post-workout recovery meal differs based on the type of workout. Recovery after an intense endurance workout, like long distance running, swimming or cycling, requires primarily carbs with smaller portions of protein. Thats because the body uses up glycogen during endurance workouts and needs to replace those carbs to help with muscle synthesis.
Those who focus on strength training should eat more protein after a workout to help with muscle gains. Strength training doesnt require as much glycogen, which is why protein is the primary nutrient needed after a resistance workout.
The ISSN suggests ingesting essential amino acids within 3 hours of exercise to increase muscle synthesis, and adding carbs to protein may increase this response. Research has also found that including 0.1 grams of creatine per kilogram of body weight to a carb and protein recovery meal may further stimulate muscle growth.
The biggest misconception about eating after a workout is that you need to load up on protein, which isnt necessarily the case. Your body can only absorb about 30 grams of protein after a workout, so theres no need to overdo it.
For an everyday workout, small snacks, like crunchy chickpeas or cinnamon roasted almonds, will suffice. Or for a tougher workout, try this smoothie formula or turmeric egg sandwich.
Recommended Reading: C Reactive Protein High Meaning
Who Should Eat Protein Bars
You probably know that for people looking to build muscle, protein bars are an excellent addition to the diet. But its not just for weightlifters!
Endurance athletes can also benefit from eating protein bars. For example, after a long run protein can help your muscles rebuild and repair with more efficiency. Eating one before your run can give you a healthy boost of energy, especially if its high in carbohydrates.
Aim to eat 20-30g protein every 3-4 hours to maximise muscle growth and repair.
If Youre Eating For Weight Loss Prioritize Protein
Many, many, studies find that eating protein at breakfast promotes weight loss. Although this study was performed in women, the results suggest that eating 30 or 39 grams of protein at breakfast can help with appetite control throughout the day in both men and women. Participants in the study actually felt less hungry throughout the morning and ate fewer calories at lunch, therefore inducing weight loss.
So if youre looking to shed a few pounds, feel free to add an extra egg at breakfast or double the yogurt in your smoothie.
5 of 6
Tetra Images / Getty
Recommended Reading: Kellogg’s Special K Protein Shake