Ideas For Protein Shakes That Taste Good

Regardless of whether you're trying to build muscle mass or slim down, protein powders can help you achieve your goals by providing the nutrients which you don't get from your diet alone. Unfortunately, protein powders don't always make the most flavorful drinks. They are sometimes gritty or thick and even flavored powders can get monotonous after a while. To shake things up here are some ideas for protein shakes that actually taste good. Once you get the hang of making your own shakes you'll discover that the possibilities are endless.

For a low-cal, refreshing orange vanilla protein drink, just mix two scoops of vanilla protein powder with 8 ounces of orange juice, one teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1/2 a banana, and a handful of ice. For some extra zing, use frozen strawberries instead of ice. This is a great drink to unwind with after a hard workout.

For a quick and healthy breakfast protein drink, blend together 2 scoops of whey protein, 1 banana, 1/2 cup of cooked oatmeal, 3/4 cup of bran flakes and a cup of water. For a little extra flavor, add some brown sugar or sweetener. This shake will definitely make you feel full and get you energized for your day.

Here's another shake that uses oatmeal for a delicious breakfast option. This shake supplies complex carbs, protein and a bit of healthy fat to boost energy stores. You'll need 12 ounces of low fat milk or water, 1 cup of cooked oatmeal, 2 scoops of vanilla protein, 3 dashes cinnamon, a few drops of sugar free maple syrup, and 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil or chopped almonds. Throw it all in the blender for a healthy breakfast you can take with you.

If you have a soft spot for sweets, try making a peanut brittle protein shake. You'll need 2 scoops of vanilla protein, 1 tablespoon of sugar-free butterscotch pudding mix, 1 tablespoon of natural peanut butter, 8 ounces of cold water or low fat milk, and a few ice cubes. Toss the ingredients into a blender and pulse them until everything is mixed and the ice is broken into chunks.

For a refreshing treat, blend together 12 ounces of skim milk, 4-8 hard peppermint candies, a handful of ice, and 2 scoops of chocolate whey protein. This healthy and yummy protein drink will hit the spot when your body is heated after a workout.

To get some sweetness without adding lots of sugar to your shake, blend a scoop of vanilla whey protein with some ice, pineapple juice, and a handful of your favorite berries. This is a quick and nutritious way to get some extra vitamins - and flavor - with your protein drink.

Before you start tossing everything in sight into the blender, keep in mind that the best protein shake is one that meets the requirements of your workout program or diet. You can still use lots of treats but make healthy choices by using low fat ice cream, light chocolate sauce, low fat peanut butter and skim milk.

Aim to keep the ingredients in your shakes as natural as you can. For example, use natural peanut butter as opposed to the regular, hydrogenated stuff. The natural variety has higher protein content and the natural fats are essential for a healthy diet.

You should also use fresh fruit as much as possible. Fruit contains the carbohydrates that will fuel your workouts and give you energy throughout your day. The complex sugars in fruit are central to any diet and are far healthier than the sugars contained in candies and pop. As a bonus, fresh fruit will provide you with the sweetness you crave without adding those unwanted calories.

Make sure that you incorporate enough liquids, as some shakes are so thick that they're almost gooey. Use liquids such as water, fat free milk or fresh fruit juice, and add a little at a time until you get the thickness you want. Try flavorful juices such as cranberry, pineapple or pomegranate. By using fresh, healthy ingredients, you'll never have to suffer through a boring protein drink again.