Steer Clear Of Hidden Added Sugars Too
Pre-made protein shakes often come packed with added sugars, so making your own is a great way to avoid the sugar trap. Be mindful of sources of added sugars, says Hurley. Choose plain Greek yogurt over flavored, and read the label on your frozen fruit to make sure it doesn’t contain any added sugars. If youre using a dairy alternative like almond milk, choose the unsweetened kind! If you opt for protein powder over Greek yogurt, try and find a brand without added sugar.
Need a little help learning the ropes before building your own protein shakes? These seven recipes are easy, tasty, and packed with protein.
1. Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Chocolate protein powder and powdered peanut butter give this smoothie a whopping 39 grams of protein.
Per serving: 347 calories, 11 g fat , 30 g carbs, 10 g sugar, 147 mg sodium, 39 g protein
2. Strawberry Chia Seed Protein Shake
Another powder-based smoothie, this one has a dose of healthy fats and fiber from chia seeds.
Per serving: 195 calories, 3.5 g fat , 19 g carbs, 9.5 g sugar, 179 mg sodium, 7 g fiber, 22.5 g protein
3. Protein-Packed Blackberry Smoothie
This smoothie gets its protein power from a container of plain Greek yogurt. If you dont have blackberries, substitute whatever kind of frozen berry youd prefer.
Per serving: 178 calories, 2 g fat , 22 g carbs, 16 g sugar, 196 mg sodium, 5 g fiber, 18 g protein
4. Banana Protein Shake
5. Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie
Why Add Bananas To Smoothies
And the all-powerful banana. Ever wondered why bananas work so great in smoothies? Thats because they are:
- naturally fat-free
- A great source of carbs
- A great source of natural sugar
- high in vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin A
- the perfect texture when blended, especially if frozen
Hate Bananas? Try replacing the banana in this recipe with 1/2 cup uncooked rolled oats, 1/2 avocado, 1/2 cup full fat greek yogurt, or whatever frozen fruit you prefer.
Ok, so are we good? You on the same page with me and all the health benefits of this coffee smoothie?
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Oatmeal Smoothie
Breakfast in a glass, this smoothie will satisfy your morning carbohydrate cravings and provide satisfying fiber to get you through a busy morning. Fiber, along with cinnamon, may help keep blood sugar balanced as you go about your business prior to lunch. For quick preparation, the next time you make oatmeal save ½ cup in the refrigerator to throw in your smoothie when rushing off to greet your day. If you are in the mood for something not-so-cold, try this smoothie with warm oatmeal and a fresh rather than frozen banana. Make sure to fit in the most important meal of the day by grabbing this quick and delicious breakfast smoothie.
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Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
How can anyone say no to a combination like this? A nutty flavor, creamy smoothie with a hint of vanilla will boost both energy and comfort in a glass!
What a simple way to make something truly marvelous!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 scoop of protein powder
- A few ice cubes
How To Make A Smoothie + 27 Simple Smoothie Recipes To Try
Im a believer that smoothies are the perfect meal or snack no matter what the weather. It is never too cold to have an awesome smoothie! Since smoothies are such a tasty way to pack in a meal on the go, I put on a big sweater and happily drink them even when the temps are frigid.
We originally published our first guide on smoothie making way back in 2015, and since then, millions of folks have visited this post and used our recipes to make the best ever smoothies! I consider these smoothies simple classics because they have great flavor, all the ingredients are easy to source , and they pack a nutritional punch that can nourish you nicely. These are the kinds of smoothies that I think everyone should know how to make, and chances are, youll find a favorite combo among these recipes. There really is no wrong way to make a smoothie, but I think these recipes are a great jumping-off point if the blender intimidates you.
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How Do I Make A Berry Smoothie
For the best results, youll want to add the ingredients to the blender in this order:
Slowly increase the speed of your blender until it is working at full power. When fully blended, taste your smoothie for sweetness, and add honey or maple syrup to taste.
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Sun Warrior Organic Protein Powder 4 Stars
18g protein // 0g sugar// 100 calories// $1.19 per serving // vegan // gluten free// non-GMO// no artificial flavor // organic
A close second was Sun Warrior Organic Protein Powder. It has 4g less protein than GOL, but we love that the vanilla flavor wasnt super overpowering. The price point of Sun Warrior is on point and its widely available everywhere. This product is vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and organic. It tasted great in smoothies and baked really well.
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Can I Make High Protein Fruit Smoothies Ahead
Smoothies can be made ahead and put in the freezer. In fact, Ive got 7 Easy Make Ahead Smoothies that you can prep and store for up to 3 months. Pull them out of the freezer the night before and place in the fridge. In the morning, breakfast is served immediately!
If you want to get more veggies and fruit into your day to day food intake, try prepping Smoothie Freezer Packs as a make ahead meal or snack, too.
You can make one of these High Protein Fruit Smoothies and leave it in the fridge for up to 24 hours without all of the nutrition leaving the mix, but I enjoy them best right out of the blender!
Can I Add Cocoa Powder To My Protein Shake
The other ingredient that makes a huge difference is the cocoapowder. The cocoa balances the protein and really amps up the chocolate flavor.
Use a good cocoa powder for rich chocolate flavor in this shake. Heres my all-time favorite cocoa powder
Hersheys ®Special Dark Cocoa Powder is also great in Chocolate Protein Shakes.
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Raspberry Chocolate Protein Dessert Smoothie
Ready for a decadent, yet guilt-free, dessert? You will love the raspberry chocolate protein dessert smoothie recipe. I felt like I was eating a milk shake from a restaurant, but it was also filling enough that I did not want anything else afterwards. The whipped cream, chocolate syrup and ground walnuts add a minimal amount of calories for a maximal presentation! The whipped cream also added sweetness, while the walnuts added texture, along with healthy omega-3 fatty acids. At only 219 calories, this smoothie recipe provides a whopping 14 grams of protein per serving. An ingenious way to trick yourself into thinking you have splurged.
How To Make A Perfect Smoothie
From the go-to formula to the best equipment for the job, everything you need to know in order to start making next level smoothies at home is included in our comprehensive guide to the perfect smoothie.
You want to know how to make a smoothieand not just any smoothie. One that rivals those perfectly creamy ones that your favorite health food store or juice bar charges upwards of $10 a pop for. Well, look no further, because we have everything you need to know about how to make the tastiest smoothie youve ever had, and how to adjust the ingredients based on your favorite flavors, textures, nutrition goalsoh, and foods you already have in your kitchen. On top of that, we have the gear guide youll need to choose the best smoothie maker or blender to make all your wildest smoothie dreams come true. With a little know-how and the right tools, youll be surprised at how easy it is to make next-level smoothies in your own kitchen.
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Berry Berry Protein Smoothie
It is always a good idea to combine a sweet treat with a protein source to satisfy your cravings and keep your blood sugar from spiking. This prevents a reactive drop in blood sugar later that triggers cravings for more sweets. Egg protein is the most perfect protein available, and now comes in various flavors just like whey protein. So break out of the blood sugar roller coaster cycle with a sweet yet high protein smoothie recipe. Whey or soy protein powders may be substituted for egg protein powder if desired. Also, try it with vanilla soy milk or rice milk.
The Best Protein Shakes 5 Ways
1/23/21
These are the best Protein Shake recipes on the internet, and they are SO easy! Try strawberry cheesecake, chocolate, vanilla, tropical or peanut butter banana!
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Tips For Making Smoothies
Be Mindful About Adding Fat
If youre drinking your shake pre-workout, Hurley suggests keeping it simple and skipping a fat source. Our bodies digest fat a little slower, which can leave you feeling too full or uncomfortable during your workout, she says. If youre whipping up your shake post-workout or any other time of day, a tablespoon of nut butter or ¼ avocado will add healthy fats to keep you full for longer.
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Tips For Making Homemade Protein Shakes
Here are some pointers I have learned over the years about how to make the best homemade protein shakes:
Protein Shake Recipes For A Tasty Refreshing Treat
Drinking mixed with water can become quite monotonous, especially considering most of us can only afford to buy one flavour at a time. But all you need to turn your protein powder into a tasty treat is a and a little creativity and while youll have to take care of the former yourself, the latter is supplied free here in the recipes from professional athletes, PTs and nutritionists.
Many of the recipes use milk instead of water, and although this will increase the calories youre consuming, it may help to increase both muscular size and strength after a gym session. Research suggests that taking protein with carbs during the post-workout window hastens muscle recovery thanks to a faster replenishment of glycogen stores.
As well as peanut butter and other nut butters which add an extra protein hit, healthy fats and a delicious creamy taste fruit is widely used. Obviously fruit is good for you, but dont fool yourself into thinking youre knocking off multiple portions of your five-a-day in one glass. Blending releases sugars from the fruit, so advice from the NHS cautions that no matter how much fruit you throw in or how much you drink, it only counts as one portion a day.
Read on for recipes that cover every type of situation and every time of day.
1. Chocolate And Peanut Butter Recovery Shake
This shake is the first of two recipes from double Olympic taekwondo champion Jade Jones, who is an ambassador for Optimum Nutrition.
- 100g natural low-fat yogurt
- 4 ice cubes
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Whats The Best Blender For Making Smoothies
Blenders have gotten so advanced in the past few years, that its hard to pick one that wont blend up a great smoothie! If youre blender shopping, here are the three blenders we recommend for daily smoothie-making:
- MOST AFFORDABLE: Cuisinart Immersion/Stick BlenderDont let its small size fool you, this tiny handheld blender is packed full of power, and will easily make a smoothie for you every day! Its perfect if youre limited on counter space.
- MEDIUM: Ninja Professional BlenderFor under $100, you get an incredibly powerful blender that makes a dreamy, creamy smoothie. This was the blender we used in the Wholefully test kitchen for years, and its a great starter-level, but still high-powered, blender.
- SPLURGE: Vitamix Professional BlenderA Vitamix is the top of the line when it comes to blenders, and its what we use every day in the Wholefully test kitchen. It comes with a hefty price tag , so if youre just blending a smoothie every now and again, there is no need to make the splurge. But if you do a lot of cooking or make a lot of smoothies or blended drinks, you might want to start saving your pennies for a Vitamix. Its a lifetime appliance that is a dream to use!
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Teras Whey Simply Pure Protein 4 Stars
21g protein // 3g sugar// 110 calories// $1.24 per serving// gluten free// non GMO // grass-fed // organic
Teras Whey is such a great product for its price point. Out of our top 6 picks, it is the second cheapest at $1.24/serving. Teras Why has 21g of protein and is made from grass-fed, organic cows. We loved the subtly sweet vanilla flavor and the fact that it wasnt overly sweet!
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Can You Put Coffee Grounds Into A Smoothie
Yes, you can add ground coffee into your smoothie and its totally ok to eat coffee grounds. Its not only a great way to add extra flavor and texture into your smoothie, itll also provide that added caffeine without needing to brew any coffee. Plus, you get the full benefit of coffee beans without having it be diluted in the brewing process. That being said, we ALSO add chilled brewed coffee because we want to maximize the coffee flavor in this coffee smoothie. BONUS: coffee grounds contain antioxidants, which is an added bonus for your smoothie.
Just make sure youre using un-brewed ground coffee for your ground coffee in this smoothie. If the coffee grounds are already brewed, they will lack flavor and caffeine, which are the two main reasons to be adding the grounds into your coffee to begin with!
NOTE: We are talking about ground coffee here, NOT instant coffee. While you could use instant coffee, that is not how this recipe is intended. I prefer grounding my own coffee beans for peak freshness and aromatic effect.
Best Fruits To Use For Smoothies
There is a great collection of frozen fruits to choose from, so check out your freezer aisle in the shop. Some tasty choices are
- Bananas for a thick and creamy base.
- Pineapple and mango for some sweetness and vitamin C, fiber, and potassium.
- Berries such as blueberries and raspberries will give your smoothies a boost of plant chemicals called anthocyanins, which help you stay healthy.
- Kiwis are good for gut health and hydration.
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Homemade Protein Shake Ingredients
Alright, so lets talk ingredients. To make a healthy homemade protein shake, you will need:
The ingredients Ive linked to above can be ordered from Thrive Market, which is an impressive online store that sells healthy, organic food and natural products at 25-50% below retail prices. I like to think of it like Amazon meets Costco meets Whole Foods .
If you want to purchase anything from them, you will need to sign up for a Thrive Market membership. However, if youre a reader of my website, you will get an exclusive bonus when you join:
What Does Collagen Do In My Smoothies
Let’s talk about the benefits of collagen! Collagen is a naturally occurring protein created by the body that is found in the connective tissues, including hair, skin, nails, joints and tendons.** In the words of our new Chief Creative Officer, Jennifer Aniston: “Collagen is the glue that holds everything together.”
While were young, our bodies are efficient at producing collagen that keeps our bones strong, our skin supple, and our ligaments and tendons in prime condition.** However, after about age 25, our bodys natural production of collagen starts to decline. Since modern food processing has largely removed collagen from our diets, we believe adding collagen back into our diets can help support the connective tissues as we age. Doing this can help retain collagen benefits, such as:
- Glowing skin**
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