Muscle Milk and Adam's Diet Question - JP Fitness Forums

Kevin Larrabee · 12-28-2005, 09:40 AM

Is Muscle Milk ok to take before bed while on adam's diet? Or are the carbs too high. there are 14g carbs in a serving. I would use 1 and 1/2 scoops instead of 2 so it would bump the carb count to 10.5 or so.

Thanks,
Kevin

Lost Dog · 12-28-2005, 10:20 AM

No. It's got too many carbs.

I don't think Muscle Milk fits into Adam's Diet at all. It's not right for a PWO drink and it's got too many carbs for other times.

I can't find a ingredients list. What are the carbs from?

By the way, if you're trying to lose fat, why are you taking anything before bed? Eat a couple of hours before bed and call it a day.

Kevin Larrabee · 12-28-2005, 11:37 AM

I believe you are suppose to eat before bed. I do it because I dont want to lose the muscle mass i have.

I usually have a cup of cottage cheese 1 hour before bed to reduce muscle loss while asleep. I just ordered some more low carb grow today. I just had a $50 gift card for GNC and muscle milk was on sale for $26. I will stick with the CC till the LCG gets here.

Kevin

I. Kay · 12-29-2005, 07:17 PM

LD: I agree that MM before bed isn't great on a fatloss diet, but he should eat something. Low-fat CC is a good idea.

Lost Dog · 12-29-2005, 11:36 PM

I think eating before bed is overrated when trying to lose fat. It may help you save some muscle, but also may store some fat.

I. Kay · 12-30-2005, 09:06 AM

Personal experience or theory? Just curious.

How would 1/2 cup of low-fat cottage cheese contribute to significant fat-storage? It could, however, protect some muscle mass. No?

Kevin Larrabee · 12-30-2005, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Personal experience or theory? Just curious.

How would 1/2 cup of low-fat cottage cheese contribute to significant fat-storage? It could, however, protect some muscle mass. No?

That is how I felt as well. Everything i have read has emphisised that eating before bed is fine and in the long run will be more effective in fat loss then starving your body for such a long time. I ordered some low carb grow which is only 110 calories and 2g carbs. I really doubt this will hurt me.

Even though I am going on a fat loss cycle I will be eating about 1 hour before bed (as I take ZMA before bed). Anyone else have an opinion?

Kevin

BeachHead · 12-30-2005, 06:27 PM

From personal expierence:

I tried not eating anything two hours before bed before and absolutley no carbs for 4 hours before bed and the weight really fell off me quite a bit (not all fat I assume). I'm sure I was losing muscle like that, but i personally didn't notice a huge loss in size or strength (I had to eat a good breakfast and wait a few hours to workout. Otherwise getting up and hitting the gym without food caused me to burn out before I started.)

I'd be willing to bet that as long as you avoid carbs entirely for a few hours before you sleep, and eat a small protein snack before you hit the hay, you would give your body the proper fuel to feed your muscles while not causing yourself to have that extra glucose that your body will store as fat due to inactivity.

Lost Dog · 12-31-2005, 01:36 AM

I suppose a half cup of cottage cheese can't really hurt much. Some people eat a HUGE amount of protein before bed.

While I do think it's a good strategy to keep your muscle, I think that people with a lot of fat are asking for trouble. Particularly, if you're someone who's been truly fat (like me).

I think leaner people and whatever that morph-type is that has a hard time putting on muscle should eat before bed. Their metabolism is fast.

On the other hand, fat people (or people who otherwise have a slow metabolism) probably shouldn't. They're metabolism is slow when they're awake. Go to sleep with a belly full of food and you're asking for trouble.

Fat people are energy storing machines. They should only take in the calories when they've got a way (and time) to burn them. IMO, of course.

My experience is anecdotal. Looking back, I think I lost more fat when I stopped eating 2-3 hours before bed. I lost lean mass even with the cottage cheese, so all I feel that I did was prolong the fat loss stage. And, as a formerly fat boy, every extra day dieting and hungry, is two too many.

Canadian_Bacon · 12-31-2005, 11:16 AM

Lost_Dog, were the calories exactly the same in both cases? If not then it is irrelevant IMHO.

I dont see how eating before bed can matter if it isnt glutonous and results in the same aount of total calories.

gobbla · 12-31-2005, 01:22 PM

CB...if the macros WERE equal and the person was eating a disproportionate amount before bed in order to "preserve muscle mass" (which was what LD was saying) then there would likely be some loss from the amount of useable protien, or at the very least not having it availible during other times of the day when it might be needed.

if it were simple calories then eating them before bed when you're more likely to store them as fat vs use them as fuel, then it wouldn't be equal...for that reason. even if it were the same calories, your body would still likely use those calories in a different way. otherwise we could eat one meal a day and it'd be good.

that's why having a SMALL portion of casien or whatever might be benificial...but eating a large amount to "preserve muscle mass" would likely lead to "preserving fat mass".

at least that's how I understand it.

Canadian_Bacon · 01-01-2006, 09:19 AM

comparing one meal a day vs having a fraction of your calories at night is apples to oranges.

i have seen no proof that the WHEN of nutrient intake matters that minuetly when it comes to fat gain. Energy Balance is a much bigger factor in the overall picture.

I really dont understand the magical fat balance that people invoke. It doesnt matter if the fat is broken down during the day(due to less calories then and a later meal which may 'inhibit' fat usage overnight) or if that fraction is broken down while you sleep. The same AMOUNT OF FAT over the 24 hours will need to be broken up to meet energy needs.

FYI, from a guru standpoint all the guys that ride nutrient timing will reccomend a meal before bed: Dr. Lowery, JB, CT, etc.

The ones that dont buy into that will tell you that it doesnt matter(Lyle for example has said this arguement is silly multiple times).

Dont invoke extreme situations to prove a point, they are irrelevant to the situation we are talking about and they arent indicitive of the norm.

Have a good new years everyone.

Canadian_Bacon · 01-01-2006, 09:21 AM

Oh and on the protein thing. Most of the posters here etc eat FAR MORE protein then is actually required especially when dieting. Most take in atleast 1g/lb and likely more.

Displacing 30 grams of this protein wont matter jack squat as you already have way more then you need to meet biological needs. A chunk of it is being oxidized to provide glucose/energy anyways.

gobbla · 01-01-2006, 11:40 AM

I think LD (and my) point was to not "overdue" it on the final bedtime meal. If you re-read the posts, it might help to see where that is clear.

I would be interested to see anything that you might be willing to present that argues that eating a largish meal at bedtime would not have any effect on fat loss.

The protein was simply a hypothetical situation...like yours. If a person had their macros down but took a *the key word* dispropotionate amount before bed...then their might be a problem.

IMO we agree on quite a bit and if you took a slightly less standoffish approach you might see that. We're adults, having a conversation. No need to be snippy.

Canadian_Bacon · 01-01-2006, 02:48 PM

Gobbla, I come across as snipish when I get into discussions but it is not my intention. I try to not sound that way but when I am rushed and posting in a hurry I fall into that writing habit. I sound "standoffish" probably because I am very direct when discussing my point. I have always found it a little more efficient way of getting my ideas clearly stated I guess.

I do not get upset or worked up by internet discussions.

I would agree that having a large meal w/r to ones other meals before bed isnt "optimal"(however you define optimal). I dont think the difference would be very measurable, however, as far as bady composition is concerned with everything else taken as equal(total calories and % P/C/F).

I am more saying that I dont see how having a meal as 'heavy' calorically as your other meals would be any worse then having one that is slightly lower in calories.