I was recommended to take a break from whey protein recently by my trainer. I have been taking one scoop ON Whey Protein 100% Natural for around 6 months (~24 gram protein) - sometimes 2 shakes per day though if I was sort on time.

Is there any reason for cycling protein and have a few months break? I eat 6 small meals a day (1 is a shake) the rest a balance of natural foods with protein, fat and carbs in each and every meal.

I go to the lift 4 times a week - and on the off days I try to walk at least 45-60 minutes.

I do drink 3 liter of water a day at the very least.

Thanks in advance.

Your trainer may be confusing whey with steroids....

Whey is just a part of milk, that happens to be near pure protein (depending on how it was processed, it may be 100% protein). Is there a reason why you should be taking a break from whey shakes? ie are you getting an upset stomach and trying to find the cause, or runny shits and trying to find the cause or something to that effect?

Unless you feeling some sort of negative effect from your whey shakes, I wouldn't think there is any more reason to take a break from them then there would be to take a break from eating chicken , broccoli or eggs.

There is absolutely no reason a healthy male, especially one who's trying to put on muscle should be "cycling" protein. Your body NEEDS protein constantly, not just some of the time. If you don't give your body the protein it needs, it can break down skeletal muscles to feed your internal organs.

Not to say anything like that will happen just from not drinking protein shakes, but they are just another means of protein, such as chicken, steak, eggs, or tofu (for the vegens heh) and if they make your life easier or tastier, then unless recommended by a doctor I wouldn't "take a break".

Have you asked your "trainer" for what reason he suggests taking a break from whey?

Actually, this sounds like something Charles Poloquin would say. He's talked about changing protein sources periodically to get around any potential food allergies you might develop from a non-varied diet. I think I also read on Berardi's board about cycling brands to change the protein source make up.

So it's not something I've never heard of. I'm not sure of the true need, though.

Thanks guys - I always thought whey protein was safe too - and ON 10% natural protein in particular.

Well the argument was to give my kidneys and body in general a break from it. I do not feel anything is wrong - but I guess the old saying that too much of anything is not good.

I did cut down to just one shake a day just for the sake of it - and now I have been off it for a week - not feeling anything different.

Well the argument was to give my kidneys and body in general a break from it. I do not feel anything is wrong - but I guess the old saying that too much of anything is not good.

Maybe your stomach needs a break from food. I bet you've been eating that every single day for years, haven't you?

And let's not even think about how much water you've been drinking... :eek:

Maybe your stomach needs a break from food. I bet you've been eating that every single day for years, haven't you?

And let's not even think about how much water you've been drinking... :eek:

LOL - how can I argue with that!

Thanks again guys - I'll get myself a nice shake after the gym tonight

hehehe, I'm using 4-6 scoops a day. I'm a junky - I simply cannot eat that much food to hit my macros. I could barely do it while cutting, and certainly not now with bulking. I start the day with a solid meal, and just alternate solid and liquid throughout the day.

Maybe your stomach needs a break from food. I bet you've been eating that every single day for years, haven't you?

And let's not even think about how much water you've been drinking... :eek:


Fasting to give the digestive system a rest is quite common, and frequently associated with spiritual disciplines. There are a number of proven benefits to resting ones digestive system periodically.

As far as protein supps, if the rest of your diet is as clean as you say it is, then your body should have no problem with supplementation. I say use it as much as you feel is appropriate.