Protein shakes are a key part of most peoples training regime. And for good reason too, a good protein shake can be the difference between a good workout and a great workout. However, very few products in the world have as many misconceptions based around them as protein shakes. Here’s a few helpful FAQ’s to help you understand them a bit better.
1. Will protein shakes make you fat/muscular?
Quite amazingly, most people assume that these shakes will either make you fat, or hugely muscular. Protein shakes will just help muscular recovery after a workout, helping your muscle repair and become slimmer and leaner. Weight gainer shakes are specifically aimed at the building of muscle (or fat if not used properly). Check out my articles on each of these supplements to get a more detailed difference of these two products.
2. Are protein shakes better for you than real food?
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Everyone knows that guy that swears by protein shakes, and chooses it over real food. The simple fact here is that there is no substitute for real food when it comes to overall nutrition and good muscle building potential.
Where protein shakes are a slightly better option than real food is in a half hour time frame just after training, as it contains the right amount of BCAA’s (Branch Chain Amino Acids) that real food may not have in enough quantities.
3. Is too much protein is bad for your kidneys?
Unless you have a predetermined kidney problem, there are no clear problems with protein intake. Anywhere up to 1.5 grams of protein per lb./bodyweight is fine to consume, as long as you have an adequate level of water intake.
For a more detailed take on protein shakes, feel free to check out my article aimed purely at protein shakes.
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Written by Maurice Walsh, BSc of Exercise and Health Studies
About the author
Maurice works as a personal trainer and lifestyle transformation coach at The Gym, Rathgar. He also works as a physique model. To get in contact with Maurice regarding training and nutrition go to www.facebook.com/totaltransformationfitness
To follow Maurice on Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/maurice.walsh87
