Will protein drinks help me to gain weight?
Asked by tuffett on Aug 27, 2008
in Fitness
I am a 14 year old girl, 5'6" and 104 lbs. I run and swim and my coach has told me that I need to gain muscle. I have started lifting weights and eating more frequently (healthy foods). Would drinking a protein shake or eating a protein bar help me gain muscle? Or should I just increase the protein in the foods that I eat right now?
Answer
To build muscle, you need extra calories because calories spare the protein you eat from being burned for energy. A protein shake or bar won’t hurt, but high carbohydrate foods might make you run and swim faster and high fat foods deliver calories more quickly. You personally need 2300 – 2600 calories a day with 60 - 70 grams of protein. heck your Nutrition Report to see how close you come to that goal and adjust your diet as needed. Read about how to gain weight from the Guide to Nutrition at About.com.
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