Is protein better BEFORE or AFTER a workout?!
My boyfriend's personal trainer said you should only have protein after (not before) a workout, because the protein helps repair torn tissue (as tissue must tear in order for new / better muscles to form), but only if taken after the workout.
So, who's right? Him and I both go to the gym a lot, and want to be doing the most beneficial thing.
Also, I doubt this would matter, but, NUTRITIONALLY and HEALTH WISE, is there any difference in health benefit if one has vegetable protein or animal protein? Please don't answer this pt 2 of the question if you're against vegetarianism. I've heard all of the "but meat just taste better" or "people were meant to include meat" or "vegetarians or vegans suck / not natural " etc etc etc. Him and I are both vegetarian, and yes, we do get enough protein (I repeat, we DO GET enough protein), we just get it from non-meat sources. However, for muscle building or strengthening muscles, IS one type of protein superior? This will not make us go back to an omnivorous diet.
Answers:
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I've always understood you need carbs for energy before a workout and protein after to build and refresh the muscles.
Animal protein is complete protein. Your body can use it immediately. Most veggies only contain some (or weak versions) of the amino acids needed for complete protein. Your body must combine those amino acids from the various veggies you've eaten that day to make the complete protein it needs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complete_pr…
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/top-ten-p…
http://www.brighthub.com/health/diet-nut…
I have heard it be said to go both ways too! Some people may prefer one way over an other, but I believe that both work just as well.
A lot of people dont know what they are talking about and will just spit out something that they remember someone else saying...this is true with lots of health questions!
Truth be told, I don't think it matters. Because even if you eat it before a workout, it would have to be in your system for hours before the workout for it to benefit the workout.
As for health...it's quite questionable if people really digest animal protein.
Mm... Good luck to you. http://inhut.info/1250/animal-protein
http://inhut.info/1250/animal-protein
after, carbohydrates are the ones you need before workout
After, you muscles need protein to rebuild. I take soy protein powder, as I am trying to gain muscle.
There are several different types of proteins (actually, I should say amino acids) that your body needs. Some are strictly found in animal protein.. Your body needs all of them. If you're working out, taking a whey protein supplement will be best for your boyfriend to gain musicle mass. As far as real food goes, Egg protein is the best, followed by milk proteins, then beef, then chicken, then maybe vegetable protein, like beans and nuts or soy products.
Your body needs protein throughout the day and night, even while you're sleeping, so it's best before and after a workout. I've seen guys even drink it during a workout.
Carbs are best within 30 minutes of a workout, before and/or after. Before it will give you an energy boost, and after it will help speed up muscle tissue recovery. The thing about eating anything, carbs or protein right before a workout, is that you may feel lathargic, or heavy and not want to workout as hard. Also, you may get sick to your stomach or get a cramp, so its recommended to eat carbs and protein directly after a workout. Foods that have complex proteins and carbs combined are best... for example, Peanut Butter and Jelly on whole wheat bread is a great post workout snack/meal. Also, rice and beans is another example. Chocolate milk is another one... why, because it has your protein along with calcium and nutrients, but also sugars/carbs to get your body going. You'll consume it faster than cooking up a steak, so your body gets the protein and sugars right away to start repairing the damaged muscle tissue.
As for your question, which one is better, vegetable protein or meat protein... well, meat protein is more efficient, but if you're taking whey protein supplements along with vitamins that you can only find in meat that your body needs, then you will be just fine. Whey protein is found in meat or animal milk. Milk also contains Casein proteins, which are better as a post workout meal, like the chocolate milk which I think is 20% whey and 80% casein. Casein is slowly digested, where as Whey is digested quickly... hence, getting it into your system as fast as possible right before, or right after a workout.... like I said, within 30 minutes, or really 15 minutes.
Egg whites might actually be the best food protein. It contains all the amino acids your body requires.
Soy proteins are going to be enough for you, if you're taking a whey protein supplement with it.
I think in terms of protein before a workout, you should just be eating enough protein that you have a background level of protein available that is sufficient. Since you said you do, this should not be an issue. Personally, I wouldn't want to eat protein before a workout because it's rather heavy and would probably cause me to get cramps and not be able to perform at high intensity.
What I have always heard is that for maximum benefit you should eat both a solid protein source and a good carbohydrate source within 20-30 minutes after working out. The carbohydrates replenish glycogen and the protein starts to repair muscles, as the personal trainer said.