Protein Shakes: milk or water?

[Titan]

Well, since I'm going to start dealing with how and when I eat so I won't be ashamed to visit this forum, do you people know of any difference between mixing up a protein-shake with milk or water? Other than taste.

[Jodi]

I always make mine with water. The difference is the calories. If you are trying to lose weight you are better off mixing it with water. If you are trying to bulk up then mix it with skim or 1% milk.

[( o Y o )]

Jodi, are there any proven absorption issues with milk as well?

[Jodi]

Most definately but that depends on when and why you are drinking it.

Milk is Casein Protein. Casein Protein is a very slow digesting protein and Whey is a very Fast digesting protein. So if you are drinking a shake for Post Workout (PWO) then it is definately not optimal to drink your shake with milk because it will slow down the digesting. For PWO you want a very fast digesting protein so that is why Whey with Water is best.

Now if you are trying to just get in some extra protein for the day and you are not dieting, then drinking it with milk is not a bad idea. This is because the casein protein in the milk will slow down the digestion of the Whey which is what you want if you are using as Meal Replacement (MRP).

Now if you are dieting and you want to use whey as an MRP you should mix it with some sort of fat like flax oil or natual peanut butter. Fat also slows down digestion of the protein in whey.