Can You Drink Protein Shakes Without Working Out?
Introduction
Protein shakes haven’t always been the tastiest thing to drink, but you’d be surprised at how far protein shakes and protein bars have come in terms of taste.
The reason we say this is because we have been curious ourselves as to whether or not it’s okay for someone to drink protein shakes and eat protein bars if they aren’t the gym-going type of person that normally drinks protein shakes and eats protein bars.
Protein shakes are generally used by people that spend a decent amount of time at the gym to help build muscle faster.
However, that doesn’t mean that protein shakes and protein bars can only be eaten and drank if you go to the gym.
The short answer to this question is yes you can drink protein shakes and eat protein bars even if you don’t work out.
But we do need to say that with some slight health warnings, even though you can drink protein shakes and eat protein bars without working out, there are a few different things to keep in mind and be aware of if you are someone that wants to enjoy drinking a protein shake or eating a protein bar without going to the gym.
Important health information to keep in mind if you want to drink protein shakes and eat protein bars without working out:
- Protein should be a part of your everyday diet regardless of activity level. The human body needs protein daily to build muscle, make repairs, and maintain its tendons, organs, skin, and several other aspects of the human body.
The average man that has a sedentary life (not very active) is recommended to consume 56 grams of protein every day.
The average woman that has a sedentary life is recommended to consume 46 grams of protein every day.
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Keeping that in mind, as long as you track the amount of protein you consume every day, you are more than welcome to enjoy a protein shake or a protein bar even if you don’t work out.
- A protein shake will generally have anywhere from 20 to 60 grams of protein, depending on whether you make it yourself at home or buy a pre-made one from the store.
Protein bars depending on the brand will have around 10 to 20 grams of protein.
Between the shakes and bars, if you are focused more on wanting something that tastes good as a treat or snack, you are probably going to be better off grabbing a protein shake.
- There is such a thing as too much protein. If you intake and consume too much protein consistently, you could find yourself at risk of heart disease, colon cancer, kidney stones, and other serious health issues.
Everyone’s bodies have different levels of healthy and unhealthy amounts of protein consumption. We stated above what the average healthy protein consumption should look like, but what about the possibility of consuming and ingesting too much protein?
While there isn’t a specific universal number for everyone as far as dangerous and unhealthy amounts of protein consumption, there is a general range for people that are not professional athletes, bodybuilders, etc.
If you consider yourself to be an average person that doesn’t have a consistent gym regimen, then you should not consume more than 100 to 125 grams of protein per day. Doing so may put you in dangerous territory with the risk of potential heart disease or other harmful health issues.
So, if you are wanting to treat yourself to a protein shake or even a protein bar but are afraid to do so because you don’t regularly work out like the majority of protein shake drinkers do…
There is absolutely no need to be afraid that something bad is going to happen or you are going to become incredibly ill after drinking a protein shake or two.
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In fact, depending on what your daily protein consumption currently looks like, adding a protein shake into your daily diet might be a very healthy choice for you to make.
Just remember these few things the next time you are debating about grabbing a protein shake even though you don’t work out, but it still sounds good.
- Sedentary men can safely consume 56 grams of protein a day.
- Sedentary women can safely consume 46 grams of protein a day.
- Consumption of 100 to 125+ grams of protein per day for a sedentary lifestyle could eventually put you at risk for health issues like kidney stones and colon cancer.
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