Eating a balanced, fast-metabolism diet isn't always easy, even if you know exactly what you should be eating. The main culprit: time. Most of us just can't fit it in to cook every meal.

Whey protein shakes offer an ideal lean protein solution for those of us on the go. Here's why.

By far the most popular protein supplement available today is whey protein. Whey is one of the two major proteins found in milk (casein is the other) and is isolated from milk as a by product in the production of cheese and casein. Pure whey contains a large amount of the milk sugar lactose, as well as a variety of proteins, fat and cholesterol.

Whey protein is nowadays maybe the most significant supplement. After several studies and a lot of research, it is common knowledge that Whey Protein is the most valuable and most nutritious type of protein. That is why it is often referred as the gold standard of protein. It is being extracted from cow's milk along with Casein Protein. Although Casein Protein is also extremely nutritious, Whey Protein is more popular because of its ability to get quicker absorbed from the organism and helps the muscles recover after a hard workout. However, the market is overwhelmed with many different products. So, how will you decide, which one is the best for you?

Whey protein is a form of high quality protein that you can consume on a regular basis to build muscle mass. This important muscle growth protein is created from milk extracts. It is usually available in powder form, so that you can mix with water or milk.

So when is the best time to consume whey protein shakes?