Protein absorption into the body

[Mossley]

I've just been out to lunch with a friend and we discussed the theory that she has heard at her gym about raising insulin levels in order to make the body absorb more protein.

The theory is that directly after weight training, you have a high GI (sugar) fix to raise your insulin levels which in turn opens the cells for your body to absorb nutrients out of the blood. So to get your body to absorb more protein quickly you should have a high GI snack (potato, fruit etc) then about 15-20 mins later eat a high protein meal so that your body can maximise using the protein it gets.

Does anyone have any ideas on this?

I know that after my weight training I'm always starving and it's definitely sweet stuff I crave. I'm wondering if I was to have a high GI carb then eat the said 20 mins later if that would actually cure my sweet cravings at night. It all seems to make sense now but just wanted to find out if other people have tried this and noticed results, good or bad?

[Brad]

Yep I do it.

If you have a protein shake immediately after a workout - your body uses it for what it needs most at that time - which is fuel! So you need to give your body what it needs, fuel.

[Mossley]

Does it have to be a protein shake? I was thinking of having a boiled kumara or a banana and then eating my usual dinner which consists of protein and low GI carbs 20 mins later?

[Brad]

sorry I didn't explain enough - for fuel your body needs what it can use best as fuel - high gi carbs - really sweet drink or something similar.

when reading it over I realised it sounded like I was sugesting a protein shake post work out which is wrong - have the high gi "meal" straight after the workout then 20 mins later a high protein meal.

[Mossley]

Cool, I'll start this from tonight. I guarantee this will stop my sugar cravings after dinner. I really should listen to my body, I think it's been trying to tell me this all along.......

[Marcus]

This is exactly what I do.

Straight after workout I have a powerade - type drink with my Glutamine, Creatine & BCAA's.

15mins later I have 4 scoops protein with water, then 5mins later a can of Tuna.

I believe in this routine.

[waldo]

Maltodextrins are the best carb to use after training. Like Marcus said, with your glutamine, creatine, bcaas etc. Then fifteen minutes later have your protein.

[carma]

I always have a banana with my shake straight after training and sometime a bit of rice aswell (especially after leg training). Consuming a carb (high GI) with your protein helps your body utilise the protein more efficiently it also gets to your muscles faster and replenishes your glycogen stores

[Tammy]

research would suggest that a mix of high gi chos with a protein source after training would increase the uptake of nutrients as opposed to high cho s by themselves. Although high gi chos and then protein is still effective

[Mossley]

I think having a banana as soon as I get home will fit in with my routine so I'll try this and see how it goes. By the time I've had a shower and sorted stuff out for the next day it's time for dinner anyway so will have my protein source here.