Protein Shake Ingredients
Protein shakes can often seem tasteless but with the right ingredients, you can make them delicious and pack in a good dose of vitamins as well. Remember, keeping yourself fit and looking after your body is about more than just packing on muscle! Instead of using just the protein powder and milk or water, create the following protein shakes for some extra vitamins and minerals as well.
Recipe 1: Flaxseed Protein Shake
Flaxseed is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and includes a variety of health benefits. Make a protein shake with ground flaxseed by combining 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed to 12 ounces of unsweetened almond or soy milk, 2 scoops of whey protein, 8 strawberries and 6 ice cubes. Tasty and good for you!
Recipe 2: Fruity Protein Shake
If you work with logging equipment or in another physical job or get your exercise down at the gym, you’ll need a protein shake to give you a boost. You can get this by drinking a fruity protein shake. Combine 12 ounces of orange juice with 1 scoop of whey protein, 1 banana, ¼ cup fruit of your choice and 6 ice cubes.
Recipe 3: Breakfast Protein Shake
Wake up the right way with a breakfast protein shake. This includes the vitamins and nutrients from 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed, 16 ounces of orange juice, ¼ cup Greek yogurt and 1 banana. Combine that with 2 teaspoons of organic vanilla extract and 2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder.
Recipe 4: Blueberry Protein Shake
Blueberries are packed full of antioxidants and other vitamins and are great for a protein shake. Combine ½ cup blueberries with 1 scoop protein powder, 1 frozen banana and 1 cup unsweetened almond milk. Because you’re using a frozen banana, you won’t need to add ice though you can if you prefer. You can also add other berries to get more flavor than just blueberries.
Recipe 5: Tropical Protein Shake
Start your day with tropical fruits like pineapple and coconut. Mix in a blender 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1 cup frozen pineapple, ½ cup frozen blueberries, 1 teaspoon coconut milk, and 1 scoop of vanilla whey protein powder. Add in any other tropical fruits you like to the protein shake or substitute the milk for orange or pineapple juice for a more fruity shake. It’s like a healthy piña colada!
Protein shakes don’t have to be bland and boring. You can make them tasty and gain additional health benefits by combining your mix with some other ingredients like those listed here. Why not try to experiment and have a different variety of protein shake each day? You might find a new favorite.
Photo from Nutrilover on Flickr
Peanut Butter Banana Protein Shake Recipe
Protein Shake Ingredients
2 scoops Vanilla or Chocolate protein powder1 tablespoon peanut butter
500ml milk or water
Half of a frozen banana
1 tablespoon honey or sweetener
Several ice cubes
Handful of almonds (optional)
Frozen bananas are a great snack. I’ve used them to make ice cream or just to eat like a popsicle.
They are also great for protein shakes! They blend pretty easily and can really fill out a shake. They are especially great if you are bulking or drinking this shake for breakfast.
What better way to work the banana into a protein shake recipe than to match it with peanut butter. Everybody’s favorite combination works great for a recovery shake.
I use this after morning workouts a lot and pair it with some steel cut oats for breakfast. It’s a very tasty and filling way to start the day after killing it in the gym!
