When beginning your fitness journey, nutritional supplements like protein shakes, pre-workout, branched-chain amino acids, and creatine can be difficult to understand. It may be overwhelming to decide what you should take and when you should take it.
Yes, you should be using your protein shakes on rest days. Protein shakes provide the essential amino acids needed to repair these tissues or build new structures. Protein sources are an essential nutrient in any diet, whether your goal is to lose weight or build muscles.
** I may earn a commission from Amazon or other affiliates when you purchase through a link on this page. **
Many people believe you should only drink a protein shake after a workout. There are plenty of online references that suggest you should only drink protein powder during your anabolic window.
However, there is research that questions these findings. I personally enjoy the convenience of a protein shake. Whether it is pre-formulated protein shakes, or powder I mix by myself, these convenient protein shakes allow me to hit my target macros, and overall calories without the need to worry about meal preparation.
There are a few reasons people might choose to only drink protein shakes on workout days, but rest days are also a critical time to get proper nutrition. To support tissue healing and muscle growth, protein, carbohydrates, and fats are necessary for rest and recovery. So, should you drink protein shakes on rest days? I discuss the benefits of protein, why people drink them, and why they should.
Tell me the importance of protein?
Protein provides two main macronutrients. Proteins contain amino acids which form a structure. Amino acids are organic molecules that contain carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and other nutrients. Proteins form the basis for muscles. Proteins provide an essential function for building and rebuilding cells in the body. During resistance exercises in fitness centers, the muscles get damaged. These damages occur because muscle development is essential. The body fuses muscle cells into the damaged tissue to repair it.
Your recovery takes longer than you think!
You can never reduce protein consumption during the rest of your day. Exercise isn’t limited to a specific calendar day. It takes several days and so protein consumption is required for daily intake. In order to maintain good muscle mass protein is required for good muscle recovery and muscle strength. Whether you choose to drink a protein shake or consume lean meat, you want consistent high protein consumption for the best results. Your protein intake during the week will be the main factor for your results at training the following weekend. If your body does not recover properly from an exercise session.
The role of protein shakes
Are protein shakes really useful in training? This is the constituent of the fundamental elements of a problem. Your muscles are made of protein and so you already have an understanding of how the body needs nutrition. A combination of a healthy diet and a good recovery can help increase muscle mass and improve strength. Protein shakes provide the essential amino acids needed to repair these tissues or build new structures. Protein sources are an essential nutrient in any diet, whether your goal is to lose weight or build muscles.
So, when it comes to protein powder shakes on rest days, there is nothing to fear but fear itself. However, keep in mind that if you are not working out, then your overall caloric intake for that day may be less than if you were working out.
The importance of rest days
On these days, you still need plenty of carbs, fats, and protein intake to help aid recovery. In fact, not meeting your protein needs on non-workout days can actually hinder your muscle growth and athletic performance. Let’s delve a little deeper into some of the reasons adding a shakes to your rest day diet could be helpful.
Consuming enough
Overall, instead of stressing about finite details and timings, we’d recommend just looking at whether or not you’re consuming enough protein in your overall diet on your days off. Recovery occurs after you work out, therefore on rest days it’s important.
How much protein does the body need to support muscle growth and repair?
What protein requirements are necessary for the body to function properly? Generally speaking, people lifting weights need about 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram per day to maintain a healthy weight. The protein content varies from 0.4 to 0.25 grams per kg bodyweight. A 150-pound individual should take between 50 grams (0.5x 150) of protein per day. Daily protein requirement varies. If you are not achieving your fitness goals, consult with a nutritionist and physical therapist to find a macronutrient breakdown that best supports your individual needs.
Whey protein vs meat
There are a few key differences between whey protein and meat. First, whey protein is a complete source, meaning it contains all the essential amino acids your body needs, while meat is an incomplete source, lacking one or more of the essential amino acids.
Second, whey protein powder is much lower in calories and fat than meat, and is also a good source of calcium.
Finally, whey protein is absorbed more quickly by the body than meat, making it a better choice for post-workout recovery. Whichever source you choose, whether you drink protein or eat it, having enough in your every day diet is important for supporting weight loss or gym goals.
Why protein intake is important for muscle growth?
The role proteins play in regeneration and building are twofold processes. Then you have to take the necessary amount. Also, you need the right type of protein – i.e. timing. Drink protein shakes during training as part of your routine. It’ll give a quick kick-up for you if you are unable to recover. This nutrient supplement will help stimulate your body’s growth.
Does protein make you gain weight?
Protein powder provides essential macronutrients that helps our bodies to function properly. It is involved in many processes including cell repair and growth, hormone production, and enzyme function. Our bodies need protein, whether whole foods or supplements, to maintain muscle size and prevent muscle breakdown.
While enough protein is essential for good health, consuming too much can lead to weight increase. This is because when we eat more calories than we burn, our bodies store the excess as body fat. And since protein contains calories, eating a lot of it can cause your weight to increase.
Additionally, protein can also cause weight gain by increasing our appetite. When we eat protein-rich foods, our bodies release a hormone called ghrelin. Ghrelin signals to our brains that we are hungry, which can lead us to eat more food than we need.
So, if you’re trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, it’s important to be aware of how much protein you’re eating. To do this, you can track your protein intake using a food journal or a nutrition app. One of my favorite apps is MyFitnessPal, which is free. And, be sure to choose lean quality protein sources such as grilled chicken or fish, tofu, legumes, and eggs.
Do you need to take rest days?
Despite the fact that rest days are important to the muscle growth process, they are also important to the body’s overall health. When a person has an intense workout days in the gym, rest and recovery matter. It can be recovered during the workout. Occasionally longer days are needed in order to reduce overtraining. Rest days are an effort to recover. Use that as time in which your mind gets to rest and you can go to the next level. Rest days are designed for your healing and growth. Progress occurs during recovery days but not at any training center.
Should I drink protein shakes on weekends?
During the rest days, your protein needs will be reduced. Consequently, you should drink protein shakes to compensate for a lack of dietary fiber and you can also use this to reduce muscle damage or to help you recover faster. It is possible to consume two shakes daily if necessary. In an introduction, recovery can last as much as 48 hours. Imagine that you finished some intense exercise and then you stop absorbing enough proteins for two or three days after that. It’s the perfect way to reset the training pace and reach a plateau.
In conclusion
It takes a recovery day for everyone to gain muscle and improve their health. Protein shakes on rest days provide a good supplement for overall body health. But proteins don’t work as magic muscles. This is a nutrient and is available in many types. Focus on obtaining adequate protein on rest days. You never have to fear that your meal is full of protein and that is why it’s important to include this protein during your rest period.
Claudia Faucher is a full-time fitness training expert and lifestyle blogger. She is also been a certified Les Mills BodyPump instructor for the past 5 years and a fitness instructor for over 20 years. Claudia is a personal trainer and creates fitness training programs for seniors and people of all ages. She likes to use her skills and experiences to help others on their fitness journeys.