- The number of protein shakes you consume depends on the result you want to achieve from drinking them. For those people looking to pack on pounds quickly, three protein shakes every day between meals can help you gain weight; this should be mixed with strength training to turn gained weight into solid muscle mass. For people looking to simply increase their protein levels, it might be a good idea to determine your daily protein needs by assessing caloric intake, multiplying it by 35 percent, and dividing it by four to assess the amount of proteins versus caloric intake you need every day for great health.
- For people who cannot spend the time to have three to six meals a day, a protein shake can be an ideal meal replacement. If you are going to use protein shakes for meal replacement, you will want to either consume them in the afternoon or evening. You should make time for a regular breakfast where you can get a good source of whole grains and vitamins from juices and dairy products. Because proteins take more calories to burn off, protein shakes containing high amounts of protein should be consumed in the evening when your metabolic rate begins to slow down due to fatigue from bodily energy use throughout the day. This way, you can be assured that your body is using the energy it receives from protein levels efficiently.
- You can also use the protein shake to serve as a meal in between meals, too; if you do not have time to eat meals in between meals, protein shakes are portable and can be easily consumed while on the go. Increasing how many meals you consume can keep your metabolic rate on an even keel, and it will help keep your blood sugar levels from dipping, which can cause you to become hungry. Have a protein shake as a mid-morning snack or a few hours after lunch to keep your energy levels up and to keep your metabolism working at a steady pace.
- High-protein shakes come highly recommended for post-workout meal consumption. Because shakes are in liquid form, they are lighter on the stomach, gentler on the digestive system and still supply the exerciser with the benefit of metabolism-boosting properties. A protein shake containing 30 to 50 grams of protein can be consumed immediately after a workout to curb hunger, to increase your metabolic rate and to keep protein at optimal levels. If you're looking to gain weight, the post-workout consumption of protein shakes is recommended, especially if the shakes also offer extra carbohydrates. Meanwhile, for those seeking to use shakes for weight gain, the shakes should be used as meal supplements two to three times daily instead of as meal replacements.
