Have you ever wondered what all the hype about post-workout protein is about? Let’s break it down! What is protein? And why is it so important? 

 

First off, what is protein?

Protein is one of three macro-nutrients (macros) and along with carbohydrates and fats it’s an essential for any diet.  Protein is largely responsible for repairing your body and muscles after a tough work-out. 

 

Which protein is best, animal or plant based? 

One of the main differences between plant and animal protein involves their amino acid content. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein; when the body digests protein, it then gets broken down into amino acids. The body may need different amounts of protein at certain times, and one of the main differences between animal and plant is that animal based protein contains complete sources of protein, whereas not all plant based sources do. A complete source of protein is one which contains all nine of the amino acids. This does not mean that animal protein is better; what is means if that you need to find out what works best for you, which might possibly be mixing the two. This changes if you are vegetarian or vegan, in which it is essential to mix your plant protein sources to ensure you are getting all of the essential amino acids.

 

Which is better for building muscle?

For best results, many people recommend consuming a combination of proteins. This provides the body with a whole range of amino acids! You may also be wondering about the use of supplementary proteins (shakes and bars). Whey protein post-workout is a go-to for many because this protein is easier for the body to break down and absorb. It’s also super convenient on the go. You can use a whey supplement to create protein shakes and smoothies. You’ll find loads of recipes in the Members Zone. 

 

So what foods are protein rich? 

Some Animal Protein Sources: fish, eggs, dairy products, red meat, poultry. 

Some Plant Based Protein Sources:  quinoa, lentils, nuts, beans, soy, rice, pasta, chia, hemp, tofu. 

 

Aim to have a source of protein in each meal daily, it will go a long way to helping your body recover post-workout. 

 

 

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