When do I take protein shakes?

[kumar5]

Hello,

 

When do I take protein shakes?

Right now I work out in the mornings. I don't take any food before I go to the gym. Once I return, I have my protein shake and then eat my usual food.

On non-gym days, I have it before breakfast.

So protein shakes are the first thing in my stomach daily. Is it ok to take them on an empty stomach? I eat after drinking them.

 

Thanks.

[cubby2112]

Knock down the shake thirty minutes to one hour before you lift, then just eat your usual food right after, so long as that meal is high in protein. If not, throw in an extra shake on workout days if you can afford it.

[Duncan_Idaho]

Um, man don't train without having eaten. Eat, give yourself 30 mins - yes, gotta adjust life somehow, then train. It's good to be loaded with protein during your weight training but it's even more important to have a high protein meal after the training to restore the nitrogen balance. So - depending on what you have eaten last night, if you don't wake up too hungry - take one protein shake after your workout. If you wake up hungry or don't have much time to eat in the morning - take one small protein shake -like 15 grams (but a meal is a must in all cases), then workout, then take another shake - maybe 20 grams.