Protein is one of the essential macronutrients that most people lack these days. Proteins are crucial to rebuild your muscle after you work out, and many people consume protein shake for this purpose. Proteins are vital to maintaining a healthy body even if you are not working out.
Protein shakes are probably the easiest way to fulfil daily protein requirements for bodybuilders and athletes. But can you drink the protein shakes without working out? In this article, let’s dig a little deep and understand what happens if you drink the protein shake without working out.
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Why do people intake protein shakes?
Protein shakes are made up of protein powders mixed with water or milk. Depending on the manufacturer, it can also consist of other nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Proteins help in building muscle mass and in losing weight.
So the protein shake is consumed mostly after the workout for your body to rebuild the muscle. Some people also intake it for losing weight. But drinking protein shakes will not help if you are not working out.
Is it okay to drink protein shakes without working out?
The main reason people consume protein shakes without working out is to lose some weight. Protein contains many calories, and too much of its consumption can make it even more difficult for you to lose weight.
On average, an adult needs 46 to 56 g of protein. When you consume more protein than your body’s requirement, it will get stored in your body as fat. Your body can’t use the extra protein to build your muscle mass.
Does your body need excess protein? Not unless you work out or do any kind of resistance training. When you drink a protein shake without working out, it will result in weight gain only.
What happens when you drink protein shakes without working out?
When you take a protein shake without working out, the excess protein will be deposited in your body as fat and results in weight gain.
Your kidney plays a major role in metabolizing the intake of protein. When you drink protein shakes without working out, the excess protein in your body slows down your kidney metabolism.
So, if you are taking protein shakes to build muscle, it is a total waste if you are not doing workouts.
Proteins and weight loss
Eating a protein-rich diet helps you with losing weight. Protein intake makes your stomach full and helps you in avoiding eating often. If you aim for weight loss, the adequate amount of protein intake should be from 1.5 to 2 grams per kilogram of body weight.
According to the National Library of Medicine, a sufficient amount of protein will help you lose weight. Anything more than that will be an excess protein for your body, making the process of weight loss more difficult.
Is a protein shake a good replacement for your meals?
Protein shakes consist of a sufficient amount of proteins your body needs per day. But replacing it entirely with your meal is not a good idea since the protein shake is liquid and not filling. This makes you hungry soon, and you might eat some solid food which again results in excess protein intake.
Also, replacing protein shake with your meal does not provide your body with the other essential nutrients. Drinking a protein shake is okay for your body but replacing it entirely with your meal is not a good idea since it does not contain all the essential nutrition for your body.
Conclusion
Drinking protein shakes without working out leads to weight gain and fat. So if you want to put some weight, it is good to intake a protein shake while doing absolute zero workouts.
But if you are looking to lose some weight and build muscle, it is not good to consume protein shakes without working out. In general, if you want to increase protein intake in your diet, the best way is to include them naturally with fruits, vegetables, and meat rather than drinking a protein shake.
