Safe Use of Muscle Milk

Safe Use of Muscle Milk
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Muscle Milk is a post-workout drink manufactured by Cytosport and sold in ready-to-drink and concentrated versions. One of the drawbacks of Muscle Milk is that it can be expensive if you plan to use the drink frequently. Oddly enough, drinking a glass of milk after a workout can have a similar effect as the nutritional supplement, according to Lona Sandon, a professor of nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and a registered dietitian. Speak to your doctor before using nutritional supplements for health benefits.

Time Frame

To help in the recovery process after a workout, the manufacturer recommends you consume a serving of Muscle Milk. The proteins and fatty acids are intended to help prevent muscle loss while your body recovers from exercise. Time your serving to occur no later than 45 minutes after you finish exercising. Consume the ready-to-drink version out of the bottle or prepare the concentrated formula with one to two scoops and 16 oz. of water.

Allergies

If you have a milk or soy allergy or sensitivity, you should not use Muscle Milk. If you notice side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, rash or breathing changes, discontinue use of Muscle Milk and contact your doctor. If you are allergic to gluten, look for the versions of Muscle Milk labeled "Gluten Free."

Calorie Intake

Although Muscle Milk may be packed with nutrients, the manufacturer does not recommend the product as your sole source of nutrition. You need to follow a well-balanced diet made up of plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean sources of protein. Each serving of Muscle Milk contains an average of 150 to 310 calories. Drinking multiple servings through the day can greatly increase your daily caloric intake.

Saturated Fat

You'll need to monitor your saturated fat intake as well if you plan to use Muscle Milk. Each 11 oz. serving contains 4.5 g of saturated fat, approximately 22 percent of the recommended daily allowance. Fast food, fatty cuts of meat, sweets and fried foods are all foods high in saturated fat.

References

Article reviewed by OmahaTyppo Last updated on: Apr 3, 2011

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