Athletes who try and refuel their bodies post workout using plant-based shakes could possibly be wasting their time, a principal lecturer of performance nutrition on the University of Hertfordshire has suggested.

Smoothies and shakes are actually widely used post-workout to construct muscle tissue, retain energy and speed up recovery. Nonetheless, when these shakes are made with plant milks, the athlete receives fewer advantages because the protein percentage is less. Oat milk specifically, which has a really low protein content in comparison with cow’s milk, makes an ineffective post-workout drink.  

That’s in accordance with Dr Lindsy Kass, Principal Lecturer and Researcher in Exercise Physiology and Performance Nutrition on the University’s Centre for Research in Psychology and Sport Sciences, whose work looks at, amongst other subjects, supplements that assist and detract from athletic performance.

Dr Kass says: “Over the past few years there was this ‘pushing’ of oat milk as a healthier choice to cow’s milk however it is definitely very low in protein. It’s difficult to ‘push’ the protein value of some plant-based milks without a great deal of extra protein powders to them, and this seems counterintuitive, unless you’re a vegan.”

Athletes which might be vegan can be advised to go for soy milk, which is closest in protein value to cow’s milk, relatively than oat, almond, rice or coconut, that are all very low in protein. While people tend to equate ‘plant-based’ with ‘healthy’, it’s vital to take into consideration what you’re putting into your body and why.” 

Dr Lindsy Kass

Source:

University of Hertfordshire