How to take Whey Protein?

How to take Whey Protein to get the best results

You've probably heard this name at the gym, and you probably even have a bag, or bucket, of this famous protein supplement.

Whey Protein is the best-known supplement, sold and used by all gym-goers, and beyond.

It is a high-quality source of protein, at an affordable price and very practical.

It is not mandatory, since there are no mandatory supplements, but it is very useful.

If you are one of the few for whom the word Whey is still a mystery, this is not the right article for you, first go through here.

If you already know some things about this protein, and even already use it, or have used it, what are the best times to take it?

This article, like most articles on the site, is aimed at gym-goers looking to improve their body composition.

Whey Protein after training

Predictable, right?

All marketing done by supplement brands focuses above all on their supposed importance in post-workout nutrition.

About the supposed anabolic window.

About moving from a catabolic state to an anabolic state.

After a while, you think that you should either run to the locker room to drink your whey shake, or it’s not even worth going to train.

In fact, the Whey shake after training is not like that SO important, but it is important that you add protein after your workout, and Whey protein is probably the best choice.

You don't need to rush to the locker room to take it, but you also shouldn't wait 5 hours to ingest protein after training.

Its absorption is fast, its amino acid profile is excellent and it is extremely practical.

Its high level of BCAA's will help you recover from training and promote an anabolic state.

So yes, after your workout is a good time to take Whey Protein.

Protein before training

Before training is also an excellent time to include this supplement, but it depends.

If you eat a nice steak with rice an hour and a half before training, there is no need to add Whey here.

If, on the other hand, your pre-workout meal is light, and the time between your last bite and the start of your workout is three hours, including a Whey shake here is a good idea.

Basically, it is important to have a quality protein source close to the time of training, and if you don't have one, including Whey here becomes important.

You can use another protein source, but if you're planning on starting your workout after thirty minutes, salmon probably isn't a good bet.

For breakfast?

The third best time to take Whey Protein is breakfast.

A bit like pre-workout, the important thing here is to include a quality protein source, whether in the form of Whey, eggs or tuna.

So if any quality protein source will do, what is breakfast doing here?

Above all, because it is extremely practical and easy to consume.

The best source of protein in this meal is the one you eat.

If you are in a hurry and don't have time to prepare an omelette or any prepared meal, using this supplement is better than a low-protein breakfast.

Oatmeal with Whey is a great way to start the day, and if you want to gain weight, Whey with oats and peanut butter is almost magical.

Any other meal

To finish…any other meal.

So, are you telling me to load up on smoothies from morning to night? Is that the answer to how to take Whey Protein?

No.

In fact, any other meal could even be considered the most important time to take Whey.

This is because, as you know, the most important thing to achieve good results is to reach the levels of macronutrients necessary for your goal.

If you are lacking a source of protein at a particular meal, or if you reach the end of the day and still don't have the necessary amount of protein, a Whey shake easily solves this problem.

It's not that Whey itself will bring you any exclusive benefits, but rather because it will help you reach the protein levels necessary to evolve.

Conclusion

Whey is not a magic protein, it is not a mandatory supplement, but…it comes in handy.

Its high percentage of BCAA's and rapid absorption is very beneficial after training, and in many situations, also before training.

So, how to take Whey Protein?

At the end of the day, it's just a source of protein, and protein is a mandatory macronutrient for increasing or maintaining your muscle mass.

Calculate your calorie needs, determine your daily protein requirements and use Whey as a tool to meet them, and in an intelligent way, to take advantage of its strengths at specific times such as post-workout.

If you are having trouble choosing your next (or first) Whey supplement, you have here several reviews of different supplements to help you.