Is it O.K. to have a protein shake before Bed?

[Milosz]

I was wondering if it's ok to have a whey protein shake with about 30 g of protein incl. milk before bed considering having worked out earlier in the day?

Cheers,
Mike

[swanso5]

solid protein and veggies is the best way to go

[Boopster]

I usually have one of the following options:

6 egg whites plus 1/4 cup low fat shredded cheese (for omelet) plus 1/2 low fat cottage cheese

or

2 scoops casein protein mixed with water

Working second shift, there is no kitchen. So while at work, I usually opt for the second choice.

[Milosz]

Sounds more like a breakfast Boopster! I heard that we're not supposed to eat past a certain time in the evening.

[Boopster]

The egg whites are much easier for me to sleep on at night. Everyone is different and what they prefer as far as proteins go before bed. Actually, the whole eating before bedtime being bad for you is a myth, given you are consuming the right foods. Eating 6 small meals a day is way more beneficial for our bodies than what most of us grew up on, eating 3 meals a day. I eat every 3-4 hours with last meal right before I go to bed usually around 10:00 p.m. As long as your eating "clean" There is no harm in eating before catching some zzz's. Your body repairs itself while resting but it still needs to be fed. I choose a slow release protein so I'm not starving muscle at night while sleeping. May not work for everyone, but works for me

[Milosz]

Right on!

[DianaB]

1.5 scoop Whey Isolate
10g BCAA
Greens+
Banana
Natty PB
Strawberries
1% cottage cheese
Sleep like a baby.

[vamp]

I come home from the gym in the morning and eat something like a 3 egg & cheese omelete, chicken or steak or the odd chop, then about 1/2 hour later am in bed. I may add a fruit in for the insuline boost if needed.

Cheers

[swanso5]

wehy would you want an insulin boost before bed???

[Boss Man]

I think your protein shake before bed idea, works, well, but I'd skip the Milk and go for water, to cut Calories, cut enzymatic reactions, and increase digestion time.

You would benefit from something fast digesting, and don't forget your body needs rest, and that includes as much of your body as possible, and if you fast digest your Protein from shakes, your body should in theory, have to spend less time processing nutrients, so your Brain will be able to power down more quickly, to a lower level of activity during sleep, and the Organs requied to process your nutrition, should in theory not have to do that for as long, giving them more time to rest too.

Plus if you give the body shake Proteins, which include things like Glutamine, Phenylalanine and Tryptophan, (Neurotransmitters, also found in food), that could positively affect Seratonin levels, and you might find you are able to sleep sooner, and possibly better.

[vamp]

This is the only meal between work out and sleep and by boosting the insuline levels it leads to better healing and I tend to have less issues with waking up throughout sleep and easier to wake when its time. I average 4-6 hours of sleep a day. I know it should be more but life doesn't allow it most of the week. I do get 8 on wednesday and sunday and sometimes on saturdays.

[Milosz]

...I'd skip the Milk and go for water, to cut Calories, cut enzymatic reactions, and increase digestion time.

Not having the milk would actually help in this respect?

[Boss Man]

Made a slight mistake ther,e it should have said reduce Digestion time.

Though yes, don't mix shakes with Milk for those reasons, you want shakes ot absorb quickly, not slower by ramping up the calories, and number of required enzymes by mixing it with milk.

So water will help reduce Digestion time, potentially making more of the nutrition, if there's less enzymatic competition in there, Post workout.

[dmsportz]

I would suggest if you are gonna do a protein before bed to get a slow digesting one, like a: casien, PM, 12 hour, or 24 hour protein blend. If you are looking to help with feeding your body amino acids throughout the night you want one that will take longer to digest.

If you are trying to gain mass, go with milk, but if not i would skip the calories, the added protein is minimal. Milk is better for post workout or in the mornings.

[Boss Man]

Not being rude, but Whey is better for after workouts. Faster and aids recovery better.