Tips » Supplementation
Do I have to take protein shakes right after my workouts to gain muscle?
Actually, protein synthesis (hypertrophy/muscle gain) is not a phenomenon that is in any way accelerated immediately after your training, to my knowledge. More happens during your recovery as a response to training. The only need for protein is simply to replace the branched-chain amino acids that were burned for energy during the session, otherwise they will not be available for recovery. The post-workout shake is far more important for glycogen replenishment - in other words, it is the quality of carbs after a workout, because there is a window of opportunity to replenish the energy you burned within your muscles.
No, protein shakes are not magical. If you have an issue with taste, look into Muscle Provider from Beverly International. For a meal replacement, try Ultra Size. These are the best tasting high-protein shakes hands down I have ever tried, and many people agree. Taste is an individual thing, but you also get the side effect of high quality protein that is a mix of various types instead of an unbalanced focus on just whey or casein like other companies try to do.
If you are looking for meal replacement shakes (not necessarily high-protein shakes) then contact me and ask about the company that I partner with or enroll yourself as a preferred customer of mine here:
http://www.naturalphysiques.com/pc/