5 Easy Protein Shakes You Can Make For Your Next Meal
Protein shakes are amazing! Whether you are trying to eat healthier, or want something that resembles a smoothie for lunch, protein shakes are a great alternative. Protein shakes are, of course, packed with protein, along with other fruits, vegetables, and flavors. The best part about protein shakes is that they are completely customizable, you can throw in whatever you want! However, if you’re new to making protein shakes and you want to follow a recipe, here are five easy protein shakes you can make!
1. Iced Coffee Protein Shake
If you’re like me, the first thing I need in the morning is a cup of coffee! This shake not only gives you the protein needed to kickstart your metabolism the rest of the day, but it also gives you the kick of caffeine you need to stay awake (at least until your next cup of coffee). Plus, the taste of coffee is amazing and strong, so if you aren’t a fan of any of the other flavors, you’re set!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of ice
- 3/4 cup of Almond Milk (or the milk of your choosing)
- 1 cup cold coffee
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 scoop protein powder
If you look at the recipe, you’ll notice that it recommends the banana to be frozen. You’ll see this a lot when looking at recipes for protein shakes! It’s recommended to use frozen fruit because it helps add to the smoothie-like consistency that we know and love, plus, it keeps it cold!
2. Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Shake
If you have a little more of a sweet tooth, this one is for you! It’s definitely more of a dessert shake, that would make it great for breakfast! Or when you’re craving something sweet. So basically, you’re having breakfast, dessert, and protein… does it get any better than that? With bananas and peanut butter, this shake is high in fiber and protein. The addition of cinnamon is interesting but cinnamon is known to have a high nutritious value!
Ingredients:
- 2 medium bananas
- 2 cups ice
- 1 1/2 cups milk (or milk substitute of your choosing)
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
3. Pina Colada Pick-Me-Up
If you want something a little tropical, or even summery, this is the drink for you! Summer is just around the corner and this protein shake, while packed with nutrients, will be extremely refreshing! It’s just like a pina colada! Minus, you know, the alcohol… But this protein shake, while extremely good for you, is packed with flavor and will definitely be a crowd-pleaser at home.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of coconut milk
- 1/2 cup fresh or canned pineapple
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 cup ice
4. Kiwi Protein Shake
If you’re looking for something with a little more flavor and tang (for lack of a better word), this kiwi protein shake could be a good option. Kiwis are known to be packed with antioxidants and as a citrus, will benefit your mental health as well! A citrus is a great option when you want to boost your mental health. This shake is also made with the intent to gain muscle. While there are a lot of shakes out there, you can filter through and find protein shakes for either weight loss or muscle gain. This kiwi protein shake is optimal for muscle gain, making it a prime smoothie for after a workout. If you don’t want this shake to have so many calories, substitute the yogurt for water.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup yogurt or water
- 1 banana, ripe
- 2 kiwis
- 1 scoop protein powder
- 2 teaspoons of honey
- 3 ice cubes (or more, depending on amount and consistency)
5. Post-Workout Berry Protein Shake
Another great post-workout protein shake is this blueberry protein shake that is packed with protein and antioxidants! If you want to build muscle you need protein, there’s no way around it. Especially post-workout, you need to fuel your body with something nutritious. This recipe has both bananas and blueberries, which besides adding flavor, are there to provide the essential carbs needed to replenish your glycogen stores after a workout, flax seeds add omega-3 essential fatty acids and dietary fiber, while chia seeds are packed with other nutrients.
Ingredients:
- 1 small banana
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 1-1.5 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon flax seeds
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 scoop vanilla whey protein
Protein shakes, because they are so customizable, also are very quick to make! You can make an excellent protein shake in just about 5 minutes if you know your ingredients, so once you get a feel for what you like, you can make a meal in a split second. You can make your shakes vegan as well if need be. Simply substitute dairy and animal products as you would with any other meal. Replace milk with a milk-alternative, and there are many vegan protein powder options to choose from!
If you don’t care for a certain ingredient in the protein shake, substitute it! Many fruits and vegetables can be substituted without sacrificing much of the flavor. Once you start to find what you like, you can create your own combinations of flavors. You’ll find you’ll start to rotate through the same couple of shakes, but it’s good to have variety!
As a reminder protein shakes are generally used as a meal replacement, especially the post-workout protein shakes. Be careful when adding your ingredients to see how many calories you’re putting in as it’s easy to over-due it. Remember, your body needs both protein and carbs post-workout so it’s not as much of an issue if you’re using your protein shake as a post-workout meal, however, if you’re using protein shakes as a tool for weight loss, be cautious.
As always, please leave any questions or comments below! Have you tried any of these shakes? Do you have more suggestions for our readers? Share your ideas with us in the comments section!
