In the age of steroid scandals, many athletes are looking for healthy and legal alternatives to give them an extra boost. A magic something that will take them to the next level. Protein shakes are the new “hot item” for athletes, and Gunn students are not different. Athlete or not, many Gunn students are taking protein shakes to get stronger and pack on more muscle. But questions remain: Are protein shakes healthy, and do they work?

Protein shakes come in many different forms and brands. The most commonly used protein boosts are powders that are later mixed in with water or milk to create a shake, but pre-made drinks are available at higher cost. All shakes come in a variety of flavors, including vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. Whey protein, the most common, is derived from milk during the process of making cheese. Brands vary in price, taste and grams of protein per serving. Popular brands include Designer Whey and Muscle Milk.

When asked about the safety of protein shakes and other nutritional supplements, Gunn Athletic Trainer Alise McBrien said, “Protein shakes can be good for you as long as you donʼt rely on them for all your protein.” This view that protein shakes are not harmful when used carefully is pervasive in both the medical field and athletics. “For most people, protein shakes arenʼt helpful,” McBrien said, “But they can help certain athletes that arenʼt getting enough protein from food due to extreme lifting regimen or goals to gain a lot of muscle weight.”

A common misconception is that students take protein shakes because coaches of sports teams encourage their use. While many sports implement strict in- and off-season lifting programs, protein shakes are simply not a part of the regimen. For example, while both the football and wrestling teams have regular weight-lifting sessions, coaches from neither team encourage the usage of protein shakes. Posted in the Gunn Fitness Center are several tips by wrestling coach Chris Horpel, and one of these tips specifically discourages the use of protein shakes because high school students simply do not require that extra protein supplement.

When people embark on extreme weight lifting programs or body building, it is recommended that they eat up to five or six small meals a day to consume enough protein throughout to maximize digestion and protein absorption. However, for most high school students, it is very tough to consume five to six protein-filled meals a day.

While not magic, protein shakes can help certain athletes train efficiently.