For people trying to maximize workout gains and overall health and fitness, supplementing a meal plan with a protein bar or shake can be a very effective tactic. It's an easy way to ensure that you meet your dietary needs for protein and other nutrients. Before including them in your own nutritional plan, consider when you should be eating them.
Before a Workout
Having a protein bar or shake before a workout is a great way to help energize your body. You will also send nutrients to your muscles, which will aid in the immediate needs of recovery and repair that begin as soon as you start performing an exercise.
Eating immediately before a workout is never a great idea because you could end up feeling sluggish or cramped. Therefore, 45 minutes to an hour before the start of a workout is an ideal time to incorporate a protein bar or shake into your meal plan.
After a Workout
Getting enough protein into your body is even more important after a workout. The intense stresses placed on your body from lifting weights or performing other exercises not only zaps you of energy, it also leaves your muscles in great need of protein and other nutrients.
In order to maximize the effectiveness of your workouts, you should eat a protein-rich meal within a half-hour or at most an hour of finishing the training session. In many cases, the most convenient way to do this is with a pre-made protein bar or shake that you can take with you to the gym or on the go.
As a Meal Replacement or Addition
Protein bars and shakes are also used as meal replacements as well as supplements to meals. If you're trying to bulk up and have a problem gaining weight, having a protein shake approximately 10 minutes after your standard meal is perfect for acquiring the extra protein and calories you need.
Otherwise, a protein bar or shake can be a great meal replacement at any time of the day. Because of the refreshing qualities of a shake, many people make protein shakes for breakfast. Meanwhile, protein bars are a great way to fill out the middle of your day, providing nutrients and cutting down on unhealthful snacking.
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