A common question that Catherine and I get as personal trainers is, “Do I need to take protein after I workout?” and if so, “What kind protein should I buy?”

To answer the first question; this depends on your goals as well as the type of workouts that you are doing. If you are doing resistance training, you should have a shake right after your workout. The protein will help to build and repair your muscle tissue.

The more muscle you have on your body, the more protein you require throughout the day. On average active males and females should strive to consume between 0.4 and 0.6 grams per pound of body weight and up to 0.8 grams for serious athletes.

“What if I get my protein from whole foods like chicken, tune and egg whites?”  It’s great to get your protein from whole foods throughout the day but the protein in whole foods digests slower than the protein you consume in a shake. A Whey protein shake is designed for your body to digest much quicker and is utilized most effectively by the body.

People always want to know what the best protein supplements are and which ones should they purchase. I would recommend buying a Whey Isolate because it is a higher-grade protein that will hit your system faster. If you’re having trouble deciding on an isolate, it all comes down to personal preference. You should try different flavors and different brands and decide for yourself what you like best. There are all different kinds of protein for you to try, even dairy-free such as hemp protein and soy protein as well as organic protein supplements.

Here are some proteins supplements that Catherine and I really enjoy:

- Whey ISO Sensation 93  – banana Strawberry mixed great with water or in the blender with berries!

- ISO Pure

- Isoflex

- Optimum 100% pure Whey

- Breezer – mix it with water for a tropical juice taste!

-Dave