Your muscles grow from the stimulation from training and a diet that provides the building blocks to grow that new muscle tissue. The main component of a muscle building diet should be protein; this is the only food that can be used by your body to grow new muscle. Eating whey protein powder will add to your protein intake, help you to bulk up, the question is how much of an effect does it have on your gains.
Whey protein is a supplement
Whey is just a supplement and should be used accordingly. It should not substitute for a proper solid diet rich in quality protein, healthy fats and nutrient dense carbohydrates. Whey is derived from milk and is just protein, it contains no other nutrients.
Whey will not magically make you gain muscle mass. It is just another source of protein. It should be combined with solid proteins such as eggs, beef, chicken and fish. It is the combination of a healthy diet and caloric surplus that will give your body all the fuel it needs to grow with every workout.
If you are eating 3 solid meals a day don’t have more than 2-3 servings of whey a day. You don’t want to become lazy and solely use whey as a source of protein. Your body needs the natural nutrients found in other sources of food. The vitamins, minerals and fats will all have an effect that whey alone cannot produce.
How can it help you become buff?
The quality of whey protein is very high; it is the best quality protein you can consume. It contains a great array of amino acids which are vital to optimal muscle growth. Whey can be absorbed quickly by your body.
This means it is best to take it at times when you need protein fast. This would be mainly after an intense workout, when your muscles have been broken down and need quick fuel for repair and growth.
To boost your overall protein intake and calories whey is great to take between meals. Mix it with healthy fats for extra calories. The fats will slow down the digestion and give you a steady flow of protein to your muscles throughout the day.
Drinking shakes will make it a lot easier to get your protein and calorie requirements for the day. It is a quick way to prepare a nutritious muscle building meal and then can be chugged down fast.