Over 50 we are anabolic resistant and our protein synthesis is not what it once was, and at the same time we need more protein now than we did in our younger years. Most everyone agrees with that but then what to do for each of those things depends on which video you happen to choose/click. The influencers are plentiful and all over the fitness/health map. It could be a male vs. female thing? It could be what you are eating, and not so much the timing of the meals but the timing between the meals or probably a ton of other things. LOL My meals vary. I'm working today and I went to the gym this morning at 4:30AM (add resistance training to one of the variables listed above). I had a 30 gram of protein drink that has 1g of sugar with 10 grams of creatine mixed in the bottle on the way to the gym. I lifted for an hour or so and then after getting the shift started, I ate what was about a 14oz ribeye. Three hours later I am now eating what was maybe 6 or 7 chicken breast filets. (maybe 12-14 ounces but guessing). So yes, the sugar helps me eat more protein. When I was strict carnivore-no sugar, if I ate the ribeye this morning, I would not want anything again til mid-afternoon tomorrow, and sometimes even longer. Another angle is I went cold turkey and although I ate the crappiest of a sugar filled diet prior to, I had no cravings when I switched. I consider myself extremely lucky. If I had issues in the past with cravings and maybe even addictions to sugar, I would not tempt fate with these drinks. For the past several months I have traded the use of sugar to attain protein. What has also happened is that I have gained 21 pounds since December. I am lifting heavier now, and I do use creatine regularly so there is some muscle mass and water retention within that 21 pounds but cinching my belt says there is some fat gain as well. I'm still -80 pounds overall so the 21 is not the end of the world. Sugar is not a good thing, but I guess I am using it as a tool, or maybe even a necessary evil, to get to a protein target. At some point I will ditch the drinks and see where I land with just meats, salt and water. Scott
