How often should I take protein?

[PaulCaine5]

Im sorry to ask this question because Im sure someone has probably asked it before. Anyway, here goes, I have started taking soya protein pwder and have also started to see some good results. I know that protein powder is not a substitute product and is only a supplement but I was wondering, should I only take a protein supplement after a workout or should I take it on days off aswell?

Thanks

[Steve]

You should take a protein shake after your workout - I take half a shake before, too - and also between meals. Take one before you hit the sack at night. Take it on your off days , too. Your muscles are repairing themselves and they need the protein.


Steve

[heibrin]

Is there any specific reason why you use soya powder?

Take protein as often as you can-try to spread it throughout the day (up to six smaller portions). In this way you will give your protein-hungry muscles a good constant supply of much needed amino's.

Try to stick with more complete proteins, like whey, eggs, turkey and chicken.

[PaulCaine5]

I use soya protein because I read in Mens health that it is the best kind. However, its also cheap. They are the main reasons.

[slipper]

ack, soy protein taste like..... liquid chalk would be the best words to describe it. Im no scientist but maybe if you used a pure whey protein powder such as optimum nutritions 100% whey or a blended protein drink/MRP instead of pure soy, you would yield better results. Besides you should stay away from soy products, promotes estrogen.

I currently use only the 100% whey from optimum and try to use it 3 times a day.... 1 when i wake up, 1 before workout, and 1 after. The 1 shake before workout is the only time i dont use skim milk and use water instead. like i said im no scientist but the logic that im using is that i would want the protien to absorb ASAP so i wouldnt want another type of protein(milk) to slow the digestion process. the other times i drink my shake, i would rather rather use milk instead of water and have a slower absorbsion rate(i dont know if this is the proper terminology but you know what i mean) so my body will have an ample supply of protein through out a long time period.

[slipper]

Originally posted by PaulCaine5
I use soya protein because I read in Mens health that it is the best kind. However, its also cheap. They are the main reasons.

soy protein may be "better" in terms of general health, but i dont think its better in terms of weight lifting, depends on your goals. if i recall correctly, i read a long time ago that soy protein has the most diverse span of different aminos. the negative is that it promotes estrogen, bad for weight lifters

[4banger]

As far as I know the amino acid profile on whey is better than soy, and whey is the protein that yield better results on body buiding, but you must use it on the right time because it's the fastest digesting protein so it's only active for around two hours, it's great to take first thing in the morning and before and after workout because it starts working real quick, but it's the worst protein to take before bed, you should rather take a low carb meal replacement shake before bed because it usually contains cassein wich is the slowest digesting protein so it'll keep you in "anabolic mode" longer.
The protein that yield better gains in lab animals is egg protein.
And to be honest with you I wouldn't take soy just because of the fact that I don't like vegeterians... oooo poor cow, she's suffering oooooooo.

[heibrin]

The reason why I asked has already been addressed-unfortunately it does not do the job as well as whey or a whey/casein blend.

Soya protein is low in the sulfur-containing amino acids (like cysteine and methionine), which renders it less complete if compared to dairy and meat.

And why punish yourself with that taste?

[Steve]

Originally posted by heibrin

And why punish yourself with that taste?

I spent 19 months in the Caprivi Strip. Eating Army food. After that I can eat anything.

Steve

[heibrin]

I know, nothing beats the taste of a rat-pack. Had enough of those myself...and they are so well balanced!!?