Do protein shakes make you gain weight without working out? If you are into protein shakes, this has to be one of those questions you have asked yourself.
If you are interested in fitness and nutrition, there’s no doubt you’ve come across a recipe or two for protein shakes.
Protein shakes are dietary supplements that people take for different reasons- weight loss, weight gain or just to increase their overall protein intake.
The classic protein shake is made up of protein powder mixed with milk or water.
So what people generally do is buy the protein powder from retail stores and mix it with their liquid base of choice.
Some also opt to make their own shakes at home using natural ingredients such as fruits, peanut butter and milk.
You also have the option of buying ready-made protein shakes so you don’t have to go through the trouble of making it on your own.
There’s a general assumption that these shakes are an easy way to gain substantial weight without the input of fitness activities, but do protein shakes make you gain weight without working out?
Read on to find the answer to this question and a few others that revolve around the topic of protein shakes.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DRINK PROTEIN SHAKES WITHOUT WORKING OUT?
It is a proven fact that protein shakes indeed increase your protein intake by supplementing the amount of protein you consume in your diet.
Proteins play an important role in muscle growth and repair, enzyme and hormone formation, and transmission of nerve impulses throughout your body.
However, what happens to the extra protein you get from these shakes depends on a wide range of factors, including your metabolism and the caloric content of the shakes.
If you have a high metabolism, chances are your body is going to convert all the excess protein into glucose which will be used for energy and you might end up not gaining a substantial amount of weight.
On the other hand, if you have low metabolism, your body is likely to store that extra protein as fat, which might cause you to gain weight.
As for the caloric content, most protein shakes are packed with ingredients that are pretty high in calories.
If you take shakes which are so high in calories that they exceed your daily calories needs, you might end up gaining weight.
So, to answer the question of whether protein shakes make you gain weight without working out; yes they do. That is of course, if other factors like your metabolism aren’t considered.
If your goal is to gain weight, make sure your diet is at a caloric surplus. Do this by consuming more calories than you lose every day.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR PROTEIN SHAKES TO MAKE YOU GAIN WEIGHT?
Gaining weight, whether by taking protein shakes or through other means, is a matter of consuming more calories than your body uses on a daily basis.
The question on whether protein shakes makes you gain weight without working out cannot to be tied down to a given duration.
The weight gain process can be as fast as within a week or as slow as a couple of months.
If you are really keen on gaining weight using protein shakes, you’re going to have to be pretty meticulous with your calorie count.
Whichever way you choose to go about it, you need to make sure the calories you get from your food plus the protein shake will exceed your daily calorie needs. Do this so that your diet is on a calorie surplus.
Also, it is better and healthier to gain weight gradually. So, you can try gaining say one pound every week so that you don’t overload your body with extra calories.
Your body has a limit for the amount of protein it can use up on a daily basis. This means if you take too much protein, you might end up overworking your liver. This can lead to liver problems or in severe cases, brain malfunction.
CAN PROTEIN SHAKES MAKE YOU LOSE WEIGHT?
Most protein supplements, including protein shakes, market themselves as weight loss aids. While they can help, it is not always as simple as it sounds.
See, protein generally has the effect of making you feel full for a longer period of time. Essentially, this should mean that you will be less tempted to surrender to your snack cravings.
However, you need to remember that protein shakes also contain calories in form of added sugars. This could contribute to your overall caloric intake and make you gain weight instead.
So if you really want to lose weight then you should consider making your own protein shakes at home. Choose ingredients whose caloric content you can monitor.
It would even be better if you combined your shakes with a fitness routine. Pick a routine that has been professionally curated to suit your weight loss needs.
DOWNSIDES OF USING PROTEIN SHAKES
There aren’t any significant disadvantages associated with taking protein shakes. However, you should probably keep an eye on their fat and sugar content, especially if you are buying the ready-made ones.
Also, most companies use artificial sweeteners to make them. This often has a laxative effect and can cause flatulence and stomach discomfort.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON WHETHER PROTEIN SHAKES MAKE YOU GAIN WEIGHT WITHOUT WORKING OUT
Having read through this article that expounded on whether protein shakes make you gain weight without working out, you have learnt all you need to know about protein shakes.
Now you’re probably wondering if they are really worth it.
For most people, the protein in their foods suffices for their dietary needs.
Protein shakes sure are good for convenience. They can help people who don’t eat meat increase their protein intake. Otherwise, they are not necessarily an essential part of your diet.
As for the question of whether protein shakes make you gain weight without working out, the simple answer is yes.
But the results will be better if you do muscle-strengthening exercises to help you convert that extra protein into muscle.
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