Protein is a macronutrient that is crucial to ensuring your body can grow and repair cells. Made up of amino acids, protein provides the building blocks that help the body make new proteins, such as muscle, bone, enzymes, and hormones. It is safe to say that protein is essential to healthy bodily function.
Protein shakes and drinks are a perfect source of protein for those who live busy lifestyles or need an easy way to incorporate more protein into their diets. There are many reasons for seeking extra protein in your diet and your health goals will determine the most optimal time to consume protein.
TO SUPPORT STRENGTH AND MAINTAIN MUSCLE MASS
If you are looking to support strength-building initiatives and maintain healthy muscle mass, it is optimal to incorporate protein into your morning routine. Studies found that spreading your protein intake throughout the day is beneficial in preventing muscle loss with age, as well as reducing hunger throughout the day. On average, a person eats three times the amount of protein at dinner than at breakfast. Therefore, making protein shakes a part of your morning routine will help distribute your protein intake throughout the day and reduce your hunger at the same time.
Protein shakes, like our Crankt range, are the perfect on-the-go breakfast option. With a variety of tasty flavours including honeycomb, vanilla, chocolate, banana, and coffee, Crankt protein shakes are convenient, easy to consume on the go, and packed with the nutrients you need to keep you fuller for longer.
FOR MORE ENERGY
If you often fall victim to those 2 pm hunger cravings, it could be a sign that you are struggling with your protein intake. Whilst protein is rarely used solely for energy production it is crucial in supporting healthy energy levels in many other non-direct ways. Protein should be consumed frequently throughout the day alongside carbohydrates, fats, and fibre. This helps keep sugar levels balanced, giving you sustained energy throughout the day. Protein shakes are the perfect snack option to easily incorporate more protein into your diet alongside your standard three meals a day.
FOR A MORE EFFECTIVE WORKOUT
Looking to improve your workout stamina and push yourself harder in the gym? Then you should consider consuming protein drinks (along with complex carbohydrates) 30-45 minutes before working out. This will help to boost glycogen effectively giving you the energy needed to push yourself harder in your workouts. Protein shakes such as Kelly Distributors’ Crankt range are formulated specifically to fuel the body to promote endurance and mental focus. Packing 20g of protein per shake, Crankt’s range is low carb and low sugar making it a great option to use as a pre-workout.
FOR MUSCLE RECOVERY AND GROWTH
If muscle recovery and growth is your main goal, then it is optimal to consume your protein after a workout. Nutrient timing is an increasingly popular theory amongst those in the fitness industry. It relates to the supposed anabolic window, where muscles are thought to take in more nutrients within 30 minutes of a resistance workout. The strict timing of this theory has been disproven however the consumption of protein after a workout – whether that be within 30 minutes or up to a couple of hours after, is still proven to be beneficial in promoting muscle recovery and growth.
Protein shakes help to give your body the fuel they need to recover and are just as effective in helping with post-exercise recovery as brown rice. Additionally, to promote muscle recovery and growth it has been found that taking protein before bed allows overnight recovery and muscle growth as the protein is digested and absorbed by your muscles while you sleep.
THE WRAP-UP
Protein consumption throughout the day has varying benefits depending on your health goals. Protein shakes are a convenient and easy way to ensure you are getting enough protein in your diet and can be consumed as a snack around mealtimes. Protein is essential for healthy body function and regardless of timing studies have proven that total protein intake is the strongest predictor of muscle strength and size.
