A protein shake is an interesting topic. We recommend protein shakes for people that are eating well, so there are a few key things to try and make sure you have organised before you start taking protein shakes; don’t see protein shakes as an excuse not to put these things in order.
The key is that you need to be eating a good amount of quality protein throughout the day. Just having a protein shake is not going to suddenly give you enough protein if you are not having protein for breakfast; many people will not have any protein until lunch, or often even dinner; you should be eating a good quantity of quality protein throughout the day. You should also be doing a good quality exercise workout which is the key to make you ‘earn’ that protein shake.
Therefore, when you are lifting weights – or there is something we do at DVCC called modified lactic training, which is resistance training and also high intensity interval style training – then that requires that you need to try and replenish the nutrients and try to recover as quickly as possible, so that you can actually work out again; this is when we encourage clients to have a protein shake.
So you should eat a good amount of quality protein through the day and do good quality exercise which requires that extra protein after you have worked out. The reason for having a protein shake is because, by having it in a shake format, you are actually able to absorb the nutrients quickly, which in turn means that you are able to repair your body quicker as well.
Basically, you need to make sure that you are actually working out well enough and hard enough to require a protein shake – which, if you are doing modified lactic training, like I mentioned you will be at the DVCC – and also make sure that you are eating well enough throughout the rest of the day.
We don’t recommend that every day someone uses it as a meal replacement; that is not what protein shakes are optimally used for. Occasionally, you can do this, if you are travelling for example – sometimes if I am going on the train to London, I will have a protein shake because I am not able to get a good amount of quality food on the journey, so it is the better option; but I would not make a habit of it. Don’t see protein shakes as a daily meal replacement – they are not – they are best used to help you recover as quickly as possible after a good quality workout.
