When you are trying to build muscle by working out hard at the gym, a protein shake can be just what you need to get the extra calories and energy to help you build muscle.
However, a vast majority of protein shakes taste like chalk, and some can be gritty, too watery, or have gross lumps of protein powder that didn’t get mixed in as well as you’d hoped.
Taste is something that is still left to be desired in protein shakes, but, does it need to be?
In truth, if you have a little bit of creativity and a selection of some kitchen standard items, you can make your shake delicious.
You needn’t suffer from gritty textures and chalky flavors anymore. Today, I will talk you through 11 ways you can make your protein shakes taste much better.
11 Ways To Make Protein Shakes Taste Better
There is a trick to making protein shakes taste better, and of course, it starts with the right protein powder.
However, other aspects are just as important, ranging from liquid bases to additional ingredients and even how you make it.
Take a look at these 11 ways you can turn your protein shake from just bearable to tasty!
#1. Chose A Quality Protein Powder
Different types of protein powder will taste different, this means that it is worthwhile trying a few different types to find your favorite.
Whey powder is the most popular, primarily because it is smooth and easy to blend.
Casein is thicker and doesn’t mix as well, but is also popular. Collagen powder has additional health benefits, but its taste is a bit unusual on its own.
Collagen is good for hair and skin, and it is a top choice for women according to drugwatch.com.
Alternatively, there are plant-based protein powders and hemp protein powders. These are best for vegans.
However, some plant-based powders can be chalky and gritty. Also, hemp powders are not for everyone as the taste is unique.
#2. Choose A Good Liquid Base
You need a good liquid base for protein shakes. Water and milk are favorites, but milk does offer more flavor.
Flavor can be impacted simply due to the liquid you choose to use. Liquid can also influence consistency.
Protein shakes that taste chalky can benefit from milk (be it plant-based or dairy).
Milk can also help protein shakes that are usually too watery. However, too much milk can make some shakes too thick, full fat milk is usually the culprit of this.
You could consider using juices, that being said, juice does contain a lot of sugar as stated by Health.clevelandclincic.
If you do choose to use juice ensure that you consider your sugar intake for the whole day, and the sugar content of your protein powder as well.
#3. Add Fruit
Adding in fruit and vegetables can change the flavor of your protein shake, just ensure that you are considering the calories and nutritional impact of what you add.
Some great choices of fruit to add to a protein shake include the following:
- Bananas.
- Mango.
- Pineapple.
- Coconut.
- Berries.
Banana is a very popular choice and it adds potassium to your diet too as medicalnewstoday.com states. However, berries can work very well if your protein powder is especially chalky in taste.
#4. Add Vegetables
You can add vegetables to your protein shake, or even add them with some fruit. Some popular vegetable choices include the following:
- Spinach.
- Avocado.
- Celery.
- Kale.
- Sweet Potato.
- Cucumber.
- Pumpkin.
Be aware of certain vegetables, such as avocado as these contain healthy fats, which are good, but avocados are high in calories.
Spinach is very popular to mix with bananas in shakes and smoothies and adds extra fiber to your diet.
#5. Add Flavoured Ingredients
You can add additional foods which will add a touch of flavor to your shake such as the following:
- Granola.
- Oats
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Kefir.
- Nut butter.
- Cottage cheese.
These are all nutritious, but can also include some healthy fats, so ensure you are adding in the right amount to achieve nutritional balance.
Nuts and seeds are great for getting protein as harvard.health.edu states.
Oats are also great for getting some extra fiber in your diet too. All of these can give you an extra health boost and energy boost after an intensive workout.
#6. Use A Quality Blender And Load It The Right Way
If your protein shakes are often too lumpy or gritty, then you may require a better blender.
Mixing in a water bottle, or a cup can work, but won’t get all the clumps most of the time. A shaker cup with a mesh is a good option, but blenders are best.
I recommend Vitamix for blending. If you regularly make protein shakes and smoothies, Vitamix can break up any hardy materials and will leave no clumps behind.
Vitamix blenders can usually tackle ice, and other hard ingredients such as baby spinach and kale, so you can have your dream protein shake with no issues!
#7. Keep Your Shake Cool
It’s no secret that most protein shakes taste better than they are chilled.
Cold shakes taste better, so consider adding some ice to your shakes. Add them into your blender for a smoother texture, and mix ahead of time.
Or, if you are adding fruit to your shakes, you could opt for frozen fruits!
#8. Add Yogurt
Add yogurt to protein shakes to give it some more depth. Yogurt can also make protein shakes healthier and more palatable.
Yogurt also has a unique natural sweetness that makes your shakes taste nice without actually having to add in any actual sugar.
Furthermore, yogurt usually contains probiotics as well, making it great for your gut health as healthline.com states!
#9. Use Peanut Butter
Nut butter such as peanut butter will be high in calories, however, these are nutrient-dense calories.
Ensure that the nut butter you use does not have any additives or added sugars, though. Choose natural and healthy options, or even make your own at home!
#10. Add Cacao Powder/Cacao Butter
If you want your protein shake to taste more like chocolate, why not add some cacao powder?
Cacao powder is just pure chocolate without any additional sugars, calories, or any of the other stuff that makes chocolate less healthy.
#11. Try Adding Cinnamon
Cinnamon and spices like nutmeg too can add flavor to protein shakes without adding any unnecessary calories.
Cinnamon is a great choice if you have a protein shake that you would like to be a bit sweeter without adding sugars or calories.
It can fool your tastebuds into thinking it is sweeter than it is because of cinnamon’s unique palate.
Why not consider also adding a dash of vanilla extract to get a bit extra flavor?
How to Make Protein Shakes Taste Better: Frequently Asked Questions:
How To Make Premier Protein Shakes Taste Better?
If your Premier protein shake needs an extra bit of flavor to be just as delicious as you wish, consider adding a flavoring or sweetener. Cinnamon, vanilla extract, honey, and even stevia are all great ways to get some extra flavor without overloading with sugar.
How To Make Chocolate Protein Shakes Taste Better?
If you have a chocolate protein shake that you want to make tastier, consider adding some maple syrup, berries, or even vanilla extract to give it some extra sweetness.
How To Make A Vanilla Protein Shake Taste Better?
Vanilla protein shakes can be improved by adding milk, yogurt, or fruit. Some fruits that will work very well with a vanilla protein shake would be banana, mango, or berries!
How To Make A Whey Protein Shake Taste Better?
Consider adding a natural sweetener to whey protein shakes, such as honey, or agave. Alternatives You could add some fruit to give it a natural sweetening. Use milk as a liquid base and add some fruit to give it some extra flavor.
How To Make Protein Powder Taste Good With Water?
A tiny bit of almond, mint, or vanilla extract can boost the flavor fo a bland protein shake. Cinnamon powder and cocoa powder can also do this. But, if you love coffee, consider adding some iced coffee to your shake.
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