Protein shake: water or milk?

Hoooooooooo

i have been using protein shakes for breakfast for a while now as they are great after training.
I have been using milk ( low fat) berries, banana, spinach and chia seeds with a good quality chocolate protein powder.
I thought it might be healthier to try almond milk but it tastes like flavoured chalk and I can't do it!
Would it be better to use water rather than milk? Any advice would be great.

MrsSylvie

definitely no water for me, all protein shakes or anything powdered, like hot cocoa, tasted yuck mix with it to me.
2% milk is what i have been using lately with the wild strawberry protein powder i really like, the milk makes it taste like strawberry milk but, normally i use vanilla almond milk with protein powders.

if you have not tried silk almond milk with protein shakes yet, you maybe should. i really cannot stand any of the almond milks in coffee, cereal, granola or alone but, mixed with protein shake/smoothies, i do not notice the weird taste at all, sometimes it even makes some powders, like hemp protein powder, taste even better.

RodaRose

It depends on your goals. Milk has protein, but you already have the protein powder and water works fine.
Almond milk is no healthier than cow or soy milk and has little protein.

kkarcher94511

unsweetened cashew milk is the only thing i can drink with anything now. its smoother than cows milk and way better

gothchiq

I use water because I can't afford the extra calories. Sometimes I use cold coffee. depends if u get enough calories to use the milk; I would if I could.

cityruss

A. Whichever fits in to your daily calorie and macro needs

B. Whichever you prefer.

Neither of these items are going to have any appreciable effect on your diet when looked at in correct dosage and context.

Look at your dietary intake as a whole, not single foods in isolation.

sijomial

Always with milk for me, tastes better and I like the nutrition from milk.
Made with water just tastes/feels thin and unpleasant.

CubicalF13

I drink my unflavored pea protein with water. Tastes awful but have had stomach issues with dairy since my gb surgery and dont wish to waste calories on a milk substitute.

Have read on other forums of people becoming lactose intolerant from drinking to much milk specifically body builders. Not saying it will happen to you but something to keep in mind.

Dreysander

I use unsweetened almond milk.

MommyL2015

Depending on the flavor i'm having, I use tea or coffee.

lemonychild

which ever fits your calories

earlnabby

I use either one, depending on what calories I have available. I have found milk works better if I am not adding much to it, and water works better when I have a bunch of other stuff besides the powder.

tugsandpulls

skim milk for me

c50blvdbabe

Coconut milk. Can't do dairy because it gives me awful sinus congestion.

FitPhillygirl

I like my protein shakes mixed with unsweetened vanilla almond milk.

Yi5hedr3

Yep...use water if you don't like almond milk.

lemmie177

CubicalF13 wrote: »

I drink my unflavored pea protein with water. Tastes awful but have had stomach issues with dairy since my gb surgery and dont wish to waste calories on a milk substitute.

Have read on other forums of people becoming lactose intolerant from drinking to much milk specifically body builders. Not saying it will happen to you but something to keep in mind.

could you try whey isolate instead? im lactose intolerant, but the isolate is fine with me. i used to drink unflavored hemp protein in water and wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy.

I usually mix my whey isolate with water and find it yummy. i add unsweetened almond milk and yogurt for smoothies, though.

Azurite27

Use whatever works for you. I use a cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk and a serving of real ice cream (for flavor and a bit of fat and sugar) and then fill the rest with water. Brand seems to make a big difference for the almond milk though, I've tried different ones, including the store brand, and Silk is the only one I will buy now.

lorrpb

I used to use soy, almond, or coconut milk because I thought it would taste better. But I eventually went to straight water (cold from frig)to save cals and I taste no diff. I always add berries or bananas and cinnamon, nutmeg, it cardomon.

KatieLK14

i love using coconut milk! i'm vegan but i find protein powder blended with water to be a little weird tasting

CubicalF13

lemmie177 wrote: »

could you try whey isolate instead? im lactose intolerant, but the isolate is fine with me. i used to drink unflavored hemp protein in water and wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy.

Interesting, thanks i will have to try that.

fldiver97

Unsweetened cashew milk (25 cal/cup) or Unsweetened Almond Plus milk (5 gm protein, 40 cal/cup). I've been vegetarian for 27 yrs and became lactose intolerant years ago..... Still ate some cheese and kefir until summer, now vegan. Can't do any of the protein powders mixed in water, don't like the taste

meghanmfitzgerald

Did you try vanilla almond milk as opposed to regular. Also what protein powder are you using. I drink It Works Pro fit and it the best protein powder I've ever tasted. It's not chalky at all.

Francl27

Try both, see if the extra calories are worth it or not. It depends a lot on your protein powder too.

Bella0531

I like Hood brand Calorie Countdown fat free milk. It mixes really well with my chocolate whey protein and the stats on it are perfect for me (35cal, 4carb, 0fat, 6protein)

scorpcookie

Always milk for me when it comes to protein shakes.

ultrahoon

I tried water, but it just made the shakes taste thin and pasty and not like food. I could have continued on the water route for a while, but I have a rule of not eating or drinking anything I find unpleasant.

rainbowbow

I can't do water and i usually cant afford the calories of milk.

I like the following:
Vanilla Almond Milk (blue diamond brand)
Coconut Milk
Vanilla Soy Milk (Silk)

I only drink the above for the calorie content, although i'll admit the coconut milk adds an almost excellent flavor to the protein

arditarose

When I'm cutting-water. Otherwise almond milk tastes good to me.

Have you ever tried greek yogurt in your smoothie? That's good too. Even like 50-60 grams with water and ice does the trick.

codsterlaing95

Always milk or almond milk. Water...yuck.

scolaris

My 'recipe' is one scoop vega one chocolate, 1/3 cup Greek yogurt, 1/3 cup water, 6 ice cubes, 4 oz frozen banana, 1 cup raw power greens, 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder. It gets very creamy & rich tasting. I like getting the bugs from the yogurt!