Protein and Carb Workout Drinks

Protein and Carb Sources

Liquid protein and carb workout drinks available in bottles or cans, and powdered forms that come in tubs or packets, typically list ingredients in order of greatest to least product content. Common protein sources include whey and casein milk proteins, soy and eggs. Common carbohydrate sources include sugar, sugar alcohols, fructose and potato starch. You can also create your own drinks at home with healthy choices such as protein powder, non-fat milk, yogurt, fresh fruit, fruit juices, oats, nut butters and ground flaxseed. When you make your own recipes you can control the calorie and sugar content and enjoy the added benefits associated with whole foods rich in vitamins and minerals that don’t contain preservatives.

Choosing Amounts

Determining the individual serving size and nutrient content of your protein and carb workout drink will depend on your daily caloric needs and workout intensity levels. If your goal is to lose weight, you can choose a drink higher in protein and lower in carbs. If you want to maintain or gain weight, your drink can have a balance of protein and carbs. How long and hard you work out is another important factor to consider when deciding which type of pre- and post-workout drink to choose to keep you energized and replenish muscle glycogen stores.

Right Timing

Sports dietitian Heidi Skolnik and healthy lifestyle coach Nora Tobin explain that it’s especially beneficial to have a drink or meal containing protein and carbohydrates before working out to give you more energy and to promote muscle growth and repair. Working out on an empty stomach can signal the body to go into survival mode and draw protein from muscles, causing you to lose muscle mass, slow down your metabolism and make it harder to lose weight. After exercising, when muscles can be depleted of glycogen stores, drinking or eating something containing protein and carbs 30 minutes to an hour after your workout can refill energy stores, build and repair broken down muscles, and keep your metabolism revving.

Drink Benefits

Beyond fueling your body for workouts and speeding the muscle recovery process, drinks containing quality sources of proteins and carbs can help your body produce disease-fighting antioxidants, boost your immune function and facilitate weight loss, according to a University of Kentucky study published in the August 2009 issue of "Journal of the American Dietetic Association."

Selection Tips

With so many types of protein and carb workout drinks on the market today, it's important to carefully read nutrition labels to avoid choosing one that can sabotage weight-loss goals or be a source of empty calories. If you're going to purchase a drink, choose a brand that’s low in sugar, fortified with vitamins, minerals and fiber, and doesn’t contain hydrogenated fats or palm oil.