Are Protein Shakes The Best Pre-Workout Fuel?
- Michael Zaronas
- Mar 2
- 2 min read
A client was telling me the other day that he wanted to fuel his workouts better, so he started drinking a protein shake before working out.
Having pre-workout fuel is very smart…
And consuming plenty of protein each day is also essential…
But is a protein shake the best thing to have right before a workout?
No.
👇 Let me explain why…
🔥 The body needs fuel.
And protein is the WORST fuel option of the 3 macronutrients.
God designed your body to use protein for building your body…
Build muscle and bone
Repair tissues
Strengthen hair, skin, and nails
Produce enzymes
Regulate hormones
Boost immune system
Maintain fluid balance
Protein CAN be used as a fuel source…
But ONLY WHEN carb and fat intake is low…
And it’s a super complex process to transform protein molecules into usable energy (glucose).
👎 It will take too long to meaningfully fuel your workout in 30 minutes.
🔹 In short?
The body needs fuel.
Protein is a terrible source of fuel.
🤔 So, what SHOULD you eat?
🔥 Carbs are perfect fuel.
God designed your body to use carbs as a fuel source VERY effectively.
🔵 Simple carbs…
Get digested and sent into the bloodstream really quickly
Perfect for when you’re working out in 15-60 minutes
Great sources are: all fruits, white rice, cream of rice, couscous, pasta, fruit juices, dried fruits, honey, applesauce, white breads/bagels
🟢 Complex carbs…
Get digested more slowly and are sent into the bloodstream at a steady pace
Perfect for when you’re working out in 1-3 hours
Great sources are: potatoes, oats, brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat carbs
So, if I were assembling the perfect meal for my workout…
✅ I’d do this…
A little bit of protein (10-20g) - keeps me full, helps prevent muscle loss during a long workout
None, or very little fat (<5g) - doesn’t contribute anything meaningful to the workout, just bogs you down
Plenty of simple or complex carbs (30-150g) - one or multiple carb sources based on when the workout is, how long it will be, and what my overall calorie goals are
Hope this helps you align your choices better with how God designed you!
Comments