Amazing Chocolate Protein Powder Shake Recipes
Nothing beats slurping a creamy, chocolatey, and delicious shake unless that chocolate shake just so happens to be good for you, too.
Packed with protein and nutrients, a cool and refreshing chocolate shake tops the charts when it comes to convenience and nutrition.
Ive rounded up 17 of the most mouthwatering shake recipes with protein powder that you can indulge in guilt-free. You can enjoy them post-workout, as a quick breakfast on-the-go, or as an effortless way to bump up your protein intake.
Give one of these tasty chocolate protein powder smoothie recipes a try. Your tastebuds will thank you.
Name: Vega Sport Premium Vegan Protein Powder Chocolate
First Impressions: Big-ass scoop with a tiny handle, while the bottle has a narrow openingits all a bit annoying. Very starchy, so powder gets and sticks everywhere. Requires more milk than the others to make a basic protein shake.
How do they taste? Smell isnt great, but the flavor is fine. Very signature Vegasmooth n creamy with a unique aftertaste. Chocolatey and medium sweet. Something easy to get used to over time. 8.5
How well do they dissolve in almond milk? Dissolves easily. 9
How many grams of plant based protein per serving? 30g per 1 scoop
Bonus benefits of this vegan protein powder ? 5g BCAA amino acids and 5g glutamic acid, 2 billion CFU probiotics for workout recovery support, NSF certified for sport, keto-friendly, non-GMO.
Price: $$$
Name: Sb Organics Plant Based Vegan Protein
How does it taste?5. Good at first, then an odd, plastic-y aftertaste. Erik, very terrible aftertaste. I thought it was okay. Not as bad as the others, but still worth noting.
How well does it dissolve in almond milk?6. Mostly dissolves well, however, there are grains left everywhere from the ingredients. Maybe they need to grind it more for finer bits.
How many grams of plant based protein per serving? 21g
Bonus benefits of this vegan protein powder ? Essential vitamins and minerals, complete mix of probiotics, enzymes, amino acids, non-GMO.
Price: $$
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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!
Ridiculously Good Protein Shake Recipes
Has your protein routine become bland and boring? Break free of the protein-shake rut with these 12 incredibly simple, ridiculously delicious shake recipes!
Chocolate and vanilla protein shakes are great, sure, but sometimes you want a flavor that falls outside the box. Check out these sweet takes on classic shake favorites to surprise your taste buds and fuel your hungry muscles every day!
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Equinox Purple Powder Shake
Equinox is one of the most upmarket gyms youll ever step into, with five-star facilities, elite instructors, and a wide range of classes and facilities. Plus, each worldwide location has its own café where you can fill up on wholesome food and shakes.
According to Nicolò Sandrini, food & beverages manager at fitness food delivery service MunchFit: The most beloved shake to order at Equinox is the Purple Power. This is a great post-workout shake, rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, fibre and magnesium.
“Clients love it after a gruelling workout because it’s good for muscle growth and helps to reduce inflammation. It is also really delicious.
INGREDIENTS & METHOD
Protein Shakes: The Best Recipes Chosen For You
The secret of a good protein-based smoothie is knowing how to mix some ingredients rich in proteins in the right way with other sweet or savory components coming only from foods fresh.
We have searched for all the healthiest recipes for you to prepare tasty protein shakes. So, if you want to recharge your batteries, and at the same time refresh and delight your palate, try some and let us know what you think!
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How To Properly Freeze Bananas:
We have opened far too many family members fridges only to find an intact bunch of bananas, blackened peels and all. There is a better way to freeze bananas, trust us. Youll want to remove the peel from the ripe bananas and lay them out on a cookie sheet. Stick the cookie sheet in the freezer to freeze them individually without sticking together. Once the bananas are frozen, just pop them into a freezer safe zip top bag.
Banana Almond Protein Smoothie
This smoothie is all about post-workout health. Delivering 21 grams of protein, it helps to repair microtears in your muscles to get you ready for your next gym session.
BLEND THIS:½ cup plain Greek yogurt3 tbsp almond butter1 scoop whey protein powder1 tbsp hulled hemp seeds1 frozen banana
329 calories, 21 g protein, 26 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 17 g fat
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What Happens When You Drink A Protein Shake Every Morning
Having a protein shake every morning helps provide enough energy to complete whatever tasks youve got on your to-do list. In other words, you wont end up hangry an hour into your morning!
Heres what makes protein shakes great for your AM routine:
- Muscle growth, repair, and recovery: I work out in the mornings, and I always make it a point to follow up with a protein shake. Eggs, almonds, and protein pancakes are also good sources.
- Boosted metabolism: Getting enough protein throughout the day helps build lean muscle. This also impacts your resting metabolism. AKA: Your body burns more fat even when youre doing nothing!
- Reduce hunger: Protein is the VIP for filling you up. A protein shake in the morning can help curve cravings and prevent you from snacking on food filled with sugar.
- Proper hormone function: If your hormones are out of whack, its worth looking at your diet. Sufficient protein helps your body produce essential hormones such as insulin and estrogen.
Many people dont get enough protein, and it impacts the body in surprising ways. Read Why Women Need To Eat More Protein, especially.
Name: Birdman Falcon Vegan Protein
First Impressions: Very smelly once mixed. Sour, off-putting smell. Like sour grains?
How does it taste?3. The smell is overpowering. At first the taste is okaychocolate flavor is there, light sweetness but then the smell kinda hits you.
How well does it dissolve in almond milk? 6. Smooth-ish, but thick.
How many grams of plant based protein per serving? 22g
Bonus benefits of this vegan protein powder ? 7 raw plant-based sources, including organic sacha inchi powder, Kosher, non-GMO, BCAAs: complete amino acid profile, digestive mix of enzymes and probiotics, gluten-free.
Price: $
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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
Why You Might Consider A Protein Shake
Let’s be clear: protein shakes are not typically a necessity. “In general, people who eat a wide variety of foods are meeting their protein needs,” Brooklyn-based registered dietitian nutritionist Maya Feller tells Health. “With protein, more does not always mean better.” Different people have different protein needs, and this is something that should be worked out with a doctor. According to Feller, individuals who are particularly active and looking to gain muscle may benefit from a protein shake with 20-25 grams of protein, while those looking to supplement their diet with additional protein can potentially benefit from a shake with 12-20 grams of protein.
RELATED:Is Protein Powder Good for You? Here’s What a Nutritionist Says
Kimberly Gomer, RD, LDN, director of Nutrition at Pritikin Longevity Center, stresses that protein shakes should not be consumed as meal replacements with the goal of weight loss. “The only time we say a good quality protein shake is a win is when our client needs immediate repair to their musclemostly a heavier-weight workoutor if someone needs to gain weight,” she says.
But protein alone isn’t enough to refuel post workout. “Carbs and protein are equally important for muscle recovery,” adds Kim Rose, a Florida-based registered dietitian nutritionist. So if you don’t have time for a full meal, try pairing a protein shake with a healthy carbohydrate to balance it out, suggests registered dietitian Lauren Hubert.
Read Also: Low Fat Low Cholesterol Recipes
How Do You Choose A Protein Powder
With the rising popularity of whey protein powder, there are a lot of options on the market. It can be overwhelming if you dont know what to look for.
Also, it is best to choose a powder that is not flavoured. Not only does flavoring possibly increase the amount of sugar and artificial flavours, but you wont want to mix a flavorful powder with other ingredients in the protein shake recipes. Here is the protein powder I use if you’re looking for a clean one.
How To Make Healthy Protein Shakes
This recipe could not be easier to make youll be sipping on your healthy banana protein shake in no time. Simply place all your ingredients in your blender and blend until smooth.
Serve this protein shake with your favorite toppings. We drizzled ours with drippy peanut butter, and added a dollop of whipped coconut milk to the top, which wed highlyyy recommend. All you need to do is put a whole can of coconut milk in the freezer, and once its chilled, remove the can and scoop out JUST the solidified coconut milk at the top of the can. Whip until smooth and airy with your hand mixer. Feel free to add a dash of maple or honey to give this whip a little sweetness if you so choose. Dollop away!
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# 2 Peanut Butter And Hemp Seed Protein Shake
The most protein protein shake ever! Some people also add a 30g scoop of whey protein to whey, but we think its a bit excessive.
Ingredients:
- 1 glass = 200ml of soy milk|
- 2 tablespoons = 30 g of peanut butter|
- 1 spoon = 15g of hemp seeds|
- 1 tablespoon = 15g of chia seeds|
Method
Add all the ingredients to the glass and blend until you get the desired consistency.
This smoothie contains a whopping 21g of total natural protein. The total protein of this smoothie is directly proportional to the amount of peanut butter and especially hemp seeds which contain 49g of protein per 100g of seeds.
Peanut Butter And Jelly Smoothie
When it comes to classic combos, nothing tops the list quite like a PB& Jâjust ask Myprotein athlete Owen Harrison. Take that childhood favorite to the next level and ditch the Wonder Bread with this drinkable version. The combination of healthy fats and complex carbs in the form of oats will leave you feeling satisfied and satiated for the day ahead. The best part? No crust!
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Which Kind Of Protein Is Best For You
It really shouldnt be a secret, but there are very few people who are aware of the fact that not all proteins are equal. The same is true for protein powders.
Why? Proteins come from different sources, and your body can digest some better than others. This is known as bioavailability. Your body gets more value out of proteins with a higher bioavailability as it can digest that protein more efficiently and absorb more of it.
Even blended protein powders consist of different quality proteins. You deserve to know what youre buying and whether its the right choice for you. Theres a reasonable amount of information on protein powder labels, and its essential to know. Well break down everything you need to know about protein and make it as simple as possible.
Complete Protein vs. Incomplete Proteins:
Proteins fall into one of two categories. The first are complete proteins, which contain all of the essential amino acids the human body needs. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. The second category is incomplete proteins, and as you probably guessed, these do not contain all the essential amino acids. If you are not consuming complete proteins, its crucial to consume a variety of incomplete proteins to give yourself the best chance of getting the complete amino acid profile your body needs.
These are the most common types of protein youll find in a protein powder blend:
- 4 tablespoons of protein powder
- Splash of milk
- Toppings of your choice
Special Directions:
How To Make A Protein Shake
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Other Ways To Add Protein
To amp up your protein content even further, here are some other fabulous sources of protein.
- Cottage cheese per half cup serving, there is over 15 grams of protein and minimal fat. It can give the shakes a creamier texture.
- Greek yogurt Like cottage cheese, Greek yogurt is another dairy based option for adding protein. Non-fat Greek yogurt adds over 21 grams of protein per serving.
- Nut and seed butter Peanut butter, almond butter, and sunflower seed butter all add between 8-10 grams of protein per two tablespoon serving.
- Nuts and seeds Raw almonds, peanuts, and sunflower seeds all can add 10-12 grams of protein per 1/4 cup serving.
- Vegetables Baby spinach, kale, and English spinach all add 3-4 grams of protein.
Benefits Of Protein Shake
Here are some of the most effective ways to use protein shakes for muscle building:
Protein shakes are vital for muscle growth because they are the easiest way to get the essential nutrients needed for your body to work properly.
For example, If you are working out on a regular basis, your body is in need of extra nutrients like vitamins and minerals. By drinking a protein shake after any sort of workout, you can help your muscles recover faster and prevent them from becoming weak or damaged in any way.
- Protein shakes also provide your body with the energy it needs to build muscle in the first place! To make sure you are getting enough protein in your diet when using protein shakes, make sure that when you drink them you are having a meal within one hour of drinking it. This is because when you consume something containing protein, it stimulates an insulin response which helps the amino acids in the shake be utilized by the muscles more effectively.
Protein shakes have been around for a long time now. It is seen as the best way to get the protein that you need in your diet on a daily basis.
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