More and more people these days use protein powders and drinks. Mainly because it’s convenient. These can be ready-made drinks or specific ones such as vegetable proteins, collagen, whey protein, egg, and so forth.
And I did a detailed overview of this topic in a past article entitled, “Everything You Want & Need To Know About Protein Powders”.
But today I wanted to address a question that was asked often, “What is the best way or time to have my whey protein drink?”
I always prefer people to have whole meals with solid protein sources – the kind you chew. I think protein powders should be limited to maybe just once a day or if you’re in a rush.
However, there is an ideal time to have your whey protein and that’s around your workout.
For example, I mix about 30 grams of whey isolate + 30 grams of highly branched cyclic dextrin + 1 teaspoon of MCT oil containing only caprylic acid, C8.
I have about 1/3rd of it 30 min before my workout, 1/3rd of it halfway through my workout, and the final 1/3rd after my last set when I’m done with the workout.
This fuels my workout, allowing me to do more sets, without burning out, and also gives me a better pump.
And this is because the whey isolate and highly branched cyclic dextrin are both fast-acting and easy to digest. No bloat or gas.
They get into your bloodstream quickly and also raise insulin levels – which I want during my training to help lower cortisol levels and thus, elevate testosterone.
However, because I’m only having a little bit at a time and not all at once, there isn’t a massive insulin spike and thus, no crash either.
The whey isolate is high in BCAA and gives 5 grams worth, which is great for muscle building and cortisol reduction.
And the MCT oil, using only the C8, caprylic acid form, gives me energy and focus because of the ketones. It’s a mild effect, but I do notice it. It has a lot of health benefits as well.
Plus, the C8 version is much easier on the stomach and causes me no discomfort – while other MCT oils do – which contain C10 and C12. However, I still only take 1 teaspoon at a time, not much more. I may take another teaspoon in the morning when I wake up.
And I’ve found this to be the best way to build more muscle, lose fat, and improve your body composition.
You can also add in a teaspoon of glutamine and creatine as well into this drink and you’ll further maximize your muscle-building workouts.
Remember, it’s all about hormones and optimizing them.