What About Protein Powder
Protein powders and other protein-rich supplements are easy, popular protein for smoothies options. But they’re not for everyone.
Whether you don’t like the taste or texture of protein powder, prefer whole food sources, or just don’t want to buy protein powders – that’s valid! But it’s still important to balance your smoothie with a little protein.
So, I’m sharing a protein for smoothies resource I give to my clients: 40 ways to add protein to smoothies – without protein powder! You’ll see a wide variety of foods, from dairy products to nuts and seeds to even fruit and vegetables.
Smoothie Consistency: Balancing Wet And Dry Ingredients
There is nothing worse than making a weight-gain smoothie or shake only to realize that its too thick and youre going to be chewing it.
This is what happens when we get the liquid and dry ingredient balance wrong. Start with fewer solids as you blend, just to make sure youre not ruining the texture. Blending one ingredient at a time might take some more time, but it does save you the frustration of starting fresh or not enjoying your smoothie.
Remember: you can always add more solids, but you cant take them out of the smoothie once theyre blended in there. For your own sake, be patient and add a little at a time until you get the right consistency.
Best Overall: Amazing Grass Protein Superfood
Amazing Grass Protein Superfood
Although this blended, vegan protein powder is plant-based, its a complete protein. Theres a reason this option recently topped our list of the best vegan protein powders: Its got a hearty mix of pea, quinoa, chia, and hemp proteins, plus extra fruits and veggies for added nutrition. As a weightlifter, I was tired of all the cholesterol in whey protein, so I decided to go plant-based, a reviewer writes. I really like this protein, as it is a complete protein source with a lot of vitamins in it. The taste is on par with other whey proteins.
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Strong Base: What Liquid Should I Make High Calorie Smoothies With
Your smoothie doesnt work without liquids theyre the basis for any good smoothie. You can start out with a number of liquids that each have their own benefits and drawbacks: water, coconut water, milk, coconut milk, other forms of plant milk , or even a juice.
The idea is that you should really be matching your goals to the base of your smoothie as well as keeping in mind what youre going to put in it. There are some things you might be comfortable blending, like bananas and milk, while others dont quite work.
Smoothie bases have their own pros and cons, but having variety is a good thing:
Water: the universal solvent! A great place to start for any smoothie but without any nutrients.
Coconutwater: like water but sweeter and contains important electrolytes.
Milk: a nutrient-rich source but doesnt pair well with citrus or some other ingredients.
Coconutmilk: somewhere between milk and coconut water some vitamins and electrolytes.
Otherplantmilks: some calories but relatively limited nutrient-content, pair better than milk.
Juice: high sugar, can bring too much acidity, probably not as healthy as you think.
Protein Smoothies To Build Muscle
Protein is often spoken about in relation to muscle building, with this idea that the more protein you eat, the more muscle you will gain.
Its not untrue, but its also not quite that simple!
You need to make sure you are getting enough protein, particularly if you lead a very active lifestyle or are trying to build muscle
Protein is a fundamental building block of all muscle, so if youre trying to build extra muscle, you definitely need to make sure you are getting enough protein.
If building muscle is your goal then you want to aim for 1.6-2.2 grams of protein per kg of body weight, as this seems to be the sweet spot for muscle growth.
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Should I Add Protein Powder To My Smoothie
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Are you a smoothie fanatic? If you love smoothies and drink them on a regular basis, you have probably asked yourself the question, should I add protein powder to my smoothie? And the truth is that it definitely cant hurt. However, there are a few important things to know about protein and smoothies.
If you want to drink a smoothie as a replacement meal, whether for improving your diet, losing weight, or getting more muscular, you need to have the proper ingredients. You cant just drink protein powder and expect to get healthy. You also need to add vegetables, fruits, and other healthy ingredients.
In this article, we will go over how to properly add protein powder into your smoothie and how to create the ultimate smoothie with all the best ingredients. Protein powder in your smoothie can definitely be a huge bonus, but you must learn how to do it right.
Almond Butter And Chia Seeds
These two healthy fats are a great way to boost your energy if youre watching your carbohydrate intake. Both are excellent sources of magnesium, along with protein and potassium. For the healthiest option, use raw, unsalted almond butter, which contains no added oils or salt. Two tablespoons of almond butter lends 7-8 grams of protein and 2 tablespoons of chia seeds will provide you with 5 grams of protein. This gives you a total of around 12 grams of protein, which is great for those who arent crazy about using a lot of protein-rich foods.
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The Obvious One Chocolate Protein
If youre making a chocolate protein smoothie, then the number one ingredient is going to be chocolate flavored protein powder.
This is going to be the main protein source in the smoothie. I always advocate using a natural, health protein powder if you want to make a protein smoothie. Adding a ton of nut butter and oats is going to simply give you a weight gainer smoothie. The nut butter is just too calorie dense.
So, my chocolate protein smoothies will all have chocolate flavored protein powder in them.
I like to use a clean vegan protein powder, but you can also make a great chocolate protein smoothie with whey.
Finally, you can choose an unflavored protein powder. But if you want to get the chocolate flavor into your smoothie, youre going to have to add chocolate flavor elsewhere. I cover this below when I discuss cacao powder and other ingredients.
Chocolate Flavored Vegan Protein
Here are some good chocolate flavored proteins. Im partial to Vega protein of the selection here. I like the texture and the flavor, but all are quality and well made proteins.
Chocolate Flavored Whey Protein
Whey does blend up smoother and is easier to make in a blender bottle. But if youre making a smoothie, thats not as big an issue. Some people like to use whey for their straight water and protein powder shakes, though. And if you dont want to have a vegan and whey protein at home, then thats understandable.
What High Calorie Foods Can I Put In A Smoothie
Smoothies take almost any fruit, which tends to be a high-calorie solution. The sugars of fruits are calorie-rich while other sources like oils and protein sources can also help increase the calorie count.
Smoothies tend to be lower-calorie than shakes, which are more dairy- and grain-based . Smoothies are better for nutrient-intake and smaller bursts of carbs from fruit, like pre- and post-workout smoothies.
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Protein For Smoothies: 40 Ways To Add Protein To Smoothies Without Powders
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Smoothies can be a wholesome snack or on-the-go meal packed with nutrition…right? Then why do you often feel hungry and your blood sugar crashing an hour after you drank one? If this sounds familiar, it may be time dial in your smoothie game and think about ways to add protein to your smoothies to keep you energized and satisfied! Check out these 40 additions of protein for smoothies – no protein powder needed.
Y’all know I’m a big fan of smoothies. Since 90% of American adults don’t eat the daily recommended amount of fruits and vegetables , smoothies can be an efficient way to pack in some more produce. And from the comments and emails I’ve received about my popular NTF 5-a-Day Green Smoothie that helps you get five servings of fruits and vegetables in one glass, I’d say many of you seem to agree!
Paleo Protein Egg White
Another animal-based protein powder, egg white protein is smart choice for people wanting to build lean muscle mass with 25 grams of protein a serving, and just 1 gram of sugar and 1 gram of carbs. It instantly dissolves in water and is completely flavorless, so it’s the perfect base for more green-heavy smoothies and other lower-calorie options made with water instead of milk or yogurt. Since it doesn’t leave a gritty texture, you’ll barely realize it’s even in your smoothie except for the filling serving of protein.
Buy now at
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What Is A Protein Shake
Protein shakes are a protein drink typically consumed before or after a workout in order to aid in muscle recovery. Protein shakes are usually made with frozen fruit/ice, a protein source such as protein powder, and a liquid.
Are protein shakes good for you? The healthiest protein shakes are the ones you make in your own blender because you can control what goes in them. The goal here is low sugar + high protein and no additives.
Benefits of protein shakes Protein shakes are an excellent thing to drink after a workout to help your muscles properly recover. In addition to post-workout, protein shakes can be used as a meal preplacement if they have enough calories ore even a high-protein snack.
Protein shake before or after workout? Our preferred time to drink a protein shake is post-workout, but it has been said that either before or after a workout will provide the same benefits!
Best Tasteless Protein Powders For Smoothies
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Are you looking for the best tasteless protein powders for smoothies?
Something that will help you lose weight or be a meal replacement?
Then you keep reading this post because youve come to the right place.
If youre trying to make smoothies that are packed with protein, allow me to introduce you to the
Its completely tasteless and gives you that refreshing feeling.
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Do You Need A Blender To Put Protein Powder In A Smoothie
Can you put protein powder in smoothies with a shaker bottle?
Well, its an odd question but lets slow it down.
First, you cant make a smoothie without a blender. Some folks try and make a smoothie with a juicer, but thats not something I advise doing.
But once youve made your smoothie and you have it in the fridge, perhaps you want to add protein powder to it later. Can you?
Yes. Once youve made your smoothie and cleaned your blender, there is no reason to add the entire drink back into the blender just to add protein powder.
You can add protein powder to a smoothie just by mixing the entire thing together in a blender bottle.
Other Tips For Adding Nutrition To Your Smoothies
Instead of adding juice, try adding plant-based milk, water or coconut water to your smoothies. This will limit the amount of sugar added. While theres absolutely nothing wrong with adding fruit , using juice without using more protein or fiber means youll likely be hungry soon after.
Add fiber by throwing some oats, ground flax seeds, spinach, kale, nuts or other seeds in your smoothie. Of course fruit has fiber too!
Add some fats for satiety by adding some avocado and/or nuts and seeds. Flax oil is also a great option that will add some omega-3.
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Best Vegetables To Use For Smoothies
Anything you like! Frozen is best to give you a refreshing smoothie you will love, and here are some tasty ideas you can get at the grocery store
- Spinach and kale for lots of iron
- Avocado for healthy fats and creaminess
- Broccoli for fiber and vitamin C
- Cucumber and celery for hydration and something fresh!
- Tomatoes for beta-carotene and Vitamin C
Best Collagen: Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder
This peptide optionthe most versatile of all collagens, Taub-Dix saysis seriously beloved. Its got 20 grams of protein per serving, along with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C for extra nutrients. My hair is definitely growing quicker than before, one reviewer reports. My hair and nails are definitely stronger my skindefinite improvement.
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How To Make High Protein Smoothies
Grab the best quality ingredients for your smoothies. Choosing organic is an excellent way to go, but not essential the most important tip is always to use frozen fruits or vegetables . This will give you thick, icy smoothies that are refreshing and give you a mouth full of zing!
Heres the formula for the perfect Protein Smoothie-
Something thick
Something liquid
Some Protein
Some Extras
Important you are going to need a super whizzing blending machine. These dont have to be expensive see at the bottom for details.
How?
Just place all your ingredients into the blender and whizz until everything sounds smooth. Try and do this just before serving as a freshly made smoothie is always the best.
Pumpkin Seeds And Oats
If youre out of greens, thats okay because pumpkin seeds are one of the most alkaline seeds you can eat . Pumpkin seeds contain 5 grams of protein per 1/4 cup, which is more than any grain or green per serving . Though theyre high in fat, pumpkin seeds contain healthy fats that protect your heart and your brain. Oats pair well with pumpkin seeds flavor-wise, and both are rich in magnesium and potassium, along with iron and zinc. Use 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds and 1/2 cup oats to obtain 13 grams total protein.
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Good Protein Source: Providing Essential Muscle Growth For Homemade Protein Smoothies
Theres no point focusing on a smoothie for weight gain if youre not considering a protein source in there. Its a ton of calories, carbs, and sugars that really need an active ingredient for better quality weight gain and muscle growth.
A simple protein powder plant or animal source is going to add some real benefits to a pre- or post-workout weight gain smoothie. We generally recommend neutral flavors like a mellow vanilla or something you know will work with your smoothie plans.
You can also use other liquid and semi-liquid sources like low-fat Greek yoghurt to boost the protein intake. This is a natural source of protein that blends pretty well, adds creaminess to your smoothie, and pairs well with all kinds of different fruits and other ingredients.
Keep it simple its just here to fluff the protein content and drive muscle protein synthesis.
Best Hemp: Bobs Red Mill Hemp Protein Powder
Bobs Red Mill Hemp Protein Powder
This hemp protein powder, which offers plenty of fiber and iron along with 14 grams of plant-based protein, has a single ingredient, meaning its as simple as it possibly can be. The flavor is a little bit green at first, but you get used to it very quickly, one reviewer notes. I love it for my protein breakfast smoothies.
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Best Blenders To Use To Make Your Smoothies
Something super powerful and super-fast is good to make your smoothie, but you dont have to spend lots. Also, if you find one with added cups, you can whizz and take it out with you saves on washing up and time, so have a look. Here are some excellent choices
Matt
Friday 27th of May 2022
The Rasberry smoothie says 5 cups of almond milk probably shouldn’t say that I tried it it didn’t work XD.
Friday 27th of May 2022
So sorry Matt, it’s a typo! It’s supposed to be 1 cup! I have fixed the mistake.
Can Be Used For Baking
Are you into baking? Do you want to make pancakes and cakes?
Then youll be pleased to know this tasteless protein powder can do exactly that.
You can go ahead and make those delicious pancakes and have it packed with protein.
Whilst everyone else is baking unhealthy snacks and destroying their health, you can be improving your health by eating deliciously baked food.
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How To Blend The Best Smoothie
Though calorie needs vary depending on age, weight, hormones, activity levels, and more, as a rule of thumb, most of us do well with snacks that contain fewer than 200 calories a 300- to 450-calorie breakfast would cover most adults needs. Heres how to get the most nutrition without driving the calories sky high.
Sabotage : Not Enough Veggies
Smoothies are some of the easiest ways to sneak vegetables into your diet. You could be piling up fruits into your smoothie without considering spinach, kale, arugula, and even collard greens into your drink.
I love adding a handful of spinach to my smoothies as its relatively tasteless. A few scoops of pureed pumpkin works too, if you cant stomach a green smoothie just yet, Osinga said.
Tip: Add a handful of greens to your smoothie. Keep them frozen for easy usage.
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