Protein before sleep?

[tekhna]

I generally don't eat before sleep, but I was talking to one of the phsyical trainers at school and he mentioned consuming some whey protein or other high protein food at night before sleep to help rebuild and prevent protein depletion during sleep. Anyone have anything to back this up, or does anyone dothis?

[Enthalpic]

Diabetics do this to stabilize blood sugars; but not with whey because it is too "fast" of a protein. Mostly cheese or nuts.

[tekhna]

Makes sense to me. If it is something like nuts the issue would seem to be volume. Might yogurt or milk or something work as well?

[SSP]

I've heard that protein synthesis takes place mostly at night...thus, the recommendation for protein before going to bed. Bodybuilders have followed this advice for a long time.

The only downside may be intestinal issues (whey protein can cause gas/bloating for some people).

[Blaise655]

Agreed, whey protein isn't a good idea for nighttime since it metabolizes so quickly. The best kind of protein to have before bed is casein (milk) protein, which is abundant in cottage cheese, casein powder, and to lesser amounts in yogurt and milk. In order to slow absorbtion down even more, a lot of people have say, 2 glasses of skim milk in combination with some fat (almonds, nut butter, etc.) before bed.

[tekhna]

Cottage cheese and almonds sound like a fantastic bedtime snack. Yum.
Whey defintely gives me gas, but I still use it. I probably shouldn't, but it is such higher quality that soy.
My mom is currently in the running for the best mother in the world award-She shipped me almonds, coffee, granola, pecans, craisins and raisins so I am stocked with food for a while.

[Sendy]

Eat 1/2 cup of cottage cheese and a tblspn. of natural peanut butter. Its a nice and slow digesting protein to get you through an 8 hour sleep.

Sendy