Should you have protein shake before or after workout

In general, it's important to eat enough protein throughout the day as part of a well-balanced lifestyle.

But how much protein you need, and the best times to eat it, definitely vary from person to person.

When to drink protein shakes for weight loss and muscle gain

Factors that influence how much you might need include how often you exercise, whether or not you have certain health conditions, and even how well you sleep.

But before you figure out how to use protein to your advantage, you'll want to know the role it plays in the body.

"Our bodies use protein to build muscles but also skin, hair, [and] organs," registered dietician Rachel Berman, tells Bustle. "Basically every cell in our body uses amino acids; the building blocks of protein.

Many hormones are made of proteins and our immune system also depends on it to build antibodies."

Some sources of protein include meat and fish, dairy and eggs, legumes, nuts, seeds, some produce like avocado, and even grains, Berman says, among other things.

But it's up to you to choose which ones work best, and to listen t

when should i take protein powder

when should i take protein shake