energy drinks or protein shakes?

[Earthkanu]

I've been doing alot of cardio lately, taking 3 45 minute classes a day ( mostly kick boxing and dance aerobics) coupled with 30 minutes of running and 30 minutes of strength training. I've been upping my calories slowly because I know the energy I've expanded needed to be replenished, but because I'm at the gym most of the day, I hardly have time to eat save for breakfast and lunch. I prefer to workout on an empty stomach but once I'm done, I get hungry very quickly. I don't want my body to break down my muscles for fuel, so I'm wondering about what kind of shakes or drinks I should have immediately after my workouts?

I get out of the gym around 8 so eating at night so eating is not a good option for me because that'll just force my body to store fat. I'm trying to train to build my endurance and get my body into fat burning mode, so I've been upping my protein intake, but I also notice I need enough carbs to last me through my cardio and aerobics.

I know most meal replacements and shakes are empty calories in general but if I drink in between my classes I hope I won't tire myself out in between workouts. I've seen most people drink some sort of energy drink in place of water ( which is actually my beverage of choice).

I know there are certain drinks that are low in cal, I've checked certain products sold at GNC, and there are plenty of choices to choose from. But what I want to know is which is better, energy drinks ( that are high in carbs) or protein drinks ( that are low in carbs?

[Envy]

Both.

[Tearza]

I've been doing alot of cardio lately, taking 3 45 minute classes a day ( mostly kick boxing and dance aerobics) coupled with 30 minutes of running and 30 minutes of strength training. I've been upping my calories slowly because I know the energy I've expanded needed to be replenished, but because I'm at the gym most of the day, I hardly have time to eat save for breakfast and lunch. I prefer to workout on an empty stomach but once I'm done, I get hungry very quickly. I don't want my body to break down my muscles for fuel, so I'm wondering about what kind of shakes or drinks I should have immediately after my workouts?

I get out of the gym around 8 so eating at night so eating is not a good option for me because that'll just force my body to store fat. I'm trying to train to build my endurance and get my body into fat burning mode, so I've been upping my protein intake, but I also notice I need enough carbs to last me through my cardio and aerobics.

I know most meal replacements and shakes are empty calories in general but if I drink in between my classes I hope I won't tire myself out in between workouts. I've seen most people drink some sort of energy drink in place of water ( which is actually my beverage of choice).

I know there are certain drinks that are low in cal, I've checked certain products sold at GNC, and there are plenty of choices to choose from. But what I want to know is which is better, energy drinks ( that are high in carbs) or protein drinks ( that are low in carbs?

it sounds to me like you're not eating enought to begin with for all the training you're doing.
your body is in "fat burning mode" when you eat fewer calories than you burn off, whether you're training or not.
and you CAN eat at night. there is no magic mysterious thing that your body goes through after 8pm that will automatically make whatever you eat turn into fat. Again, it's about calories in vs. calories out.
It sounds like you're eating at quite a deficit and you're not in any danger of storing any fat. But, you will burn out quick if you don't eat enough to sustain those kinds of instense training sessions. Your body will not run at an optimal level-especially if you're trying to increase endurance, if you don't fuel it right.

[Gnome Chomsky]

This sounds like a very intensive training regimen, where you'd require at the very least, 1,000 kCal above what you would resting. I would add in the protein shakes, as you can't afford to starve yourself.

ebola

[be_it]

Energy drinks? Such as red bull? Those will boost your adrenaline, and since youre busting your butt with cardio as it is, pumping yourself full of synthetic adrenaline can cause pulmonary problems. Stick to electrolyte enhanced water thats sugar free (juice would be a good option for pre-work out) and protein shakes. Having a food based protein after your work outs would be beneficial, too. Try fat free yogurt with berries, or toast with PB. The extra carbs right now are good for you, it'll keep you from gaining weight back as easily if you go off the 3 a day plan, which will exhaust your body real fast anyway. I hope youre taking days off in between all these work out sessions!

[AussieShane]

I've been doing alot of cardio lately, taking 3 45 minute classes a day ( mostly kick boxing and dance aerobics) coupled with 30 minutes of running and 30 minutes of strength training. I've been upping my calories slowly because I know the energy I've expanded needed to be replenished, but because I'm at the gym most of the day, I hardly have time to eat save for breakfast and lunch.

Bad situation.. if you're experiencing loss of strength, endurance, stamina or energy, it's due to your infrequency of balanced meals. Diet is just as important as training if not more

I prefer to workout on an empty stomach

this is good for creating caloric deficit and lipolysis however you do risk muscle loss due to the following:
-lack of glycogen forces body to use protein to generate glucose
-cortisol may kick in at such a fasted state.

but once I'm done, I get hungry very quickly. I don't want my body to break down my muscles for fuel, so I'm wondering about what kind of shakes or drinks I should have immediately after my workouts?

Two important things to prevent catabolism:
Pre-workout meal and post workout meal.

for pre-WO, I consume oats and casein protein 1 hour before training.
for post-WO, I consume Whey Protein Isolate, milk and water immediately after...

pre-WO is slow digesting, so your body fills up glycogen stores gradually and by the time training starts, you're fuelled up.

post-WO is when body is in a high cortisol state, so we need to offset that by creating an insulin response with the Hi GI food (i.e go from catabolic to anabolic).

I get out of the gym around 8 so eating at night so eating is not a good option for me because that'll just force my body to store fat.

Not necessarily. If you do an intense workout, then there's a 1 - 2 hour window of elevated metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

I'm trying to train to build my endurance and get my body into fat burning mode, so I've been upping my protein intake, but I also notice I need enough carbs to last me through my cardio and aerobics.

to build endurance and burn fat, training must be intense and carb fuelled.. the main benefit of high intensity training is the afterburn rather than the burn during the session.. without carb, glucose will still be used but from protein

I know most meal replacements and shakes are empty calories in general but if I drink in between my classes I hope I won't tire myself out in between workouts. I've seen most people drink some sort of energy drink in place of water ( which is actually my beverage of choice).

I know there are certain drinks that are low in cal, I've checked certain products sold at GNC, and there are plenty of choices to choose from. But what I want to know is which is better, energy drinks ( that are high in carbs) or protein drinks ( that are low in carbs?

for post workout, it's beneficial that you do have a high carb high protein drink... I personally mix milk with Optimum Nutrition Whey protein and sugar



I just added a few things in bold...

[Tearza]

Great post Shane!!
very thorough and articulate....everything i'd like to have said, but didn't have the patience to! :D

[healthyguy]

hey guys
im new here and i'm looking for some articles about health (http://www.freearticlessite.com/health-articles) drinks, shakes and such.

[socialgym]

for post workout, it's beneficial that you do have a high carb high protein drink... I personally mix milk with Optimum Nutrition Whey protein and sugar


while you can get protein from almonds, beans, and soy, Post protein workout shakes are important because after your workout your body is in need for nutrition. Protein drinks are way more easier to digest and get into your body quicker.

[JaneP]

Energy drinks before you workout or in the morning to get you going. Then a protein shake directly after you workout.

[Madscone]

Good information in this thread!