Best protein shake recipes?

_lyndseybrooke_

My post-workout protein shake usually goes like this: 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, big handful of baby spinach, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 cup water, 3 ice cubes, 1/2 frozen banana. It's absolutely delicious and I love that I'm getting extra vegetables in without even trying.

However, I'd like to try some new recipes. I know a lot of people add peanut butter, but I don't have enough calories to spare for all that. So, what are some low-calorie, quick, and easy recipes for protein shakes?

My protein powder has 115 calories per scoop and I like for the entire shake to be 200-250 calories, including the 30 calories in the milk and 6 calories in the spinach.

Some ideas I'm juggling around are unsweetened cocoa powder and coffee (frappacino-style). Ideas?

awest1972

I have added cocoa powder and instant coffee granules in mine before. I love it especially in the mornings. You get a little caffeine to help wake up.

mynameisnotemily

This is mine:

2/3c Low-fat or fat-free yogurt (I use Yoplait Source)
1/3c Orange juice (you can switch out other varieties)
1tsp Cold-pressed flaxseed oil (Optional, but healthy)
1 Scoop* protein powder (I use Optimum Gold Standard Extreme Chocolate Milk)

Blend, then add:

~1c Frozen fruit to taste (I usually use strawberry, peach, or mango)
I put in about half what I think I'm going to use, blend until mostly smooth, then add in more in increasingly SMALL batches until I reach the desired consistency.


*I actually use about 2/3 a scoop, which is about half a serving, since one serving is a rounded scoop.

You can cut out about half the yogurt and frozen fruit to reduce the calories which keeping the taste more or less the same.

ironrat79

1/2 scoop vanilla chai, 1 cup unsweet almond milk or soy, 1 scoop vanilla bean protein

have added a shot of coffee or rolled oats in the past...good stuff

kathleennf

ice in bottom of blender- about 1 cup
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1/8 cup powdered skim milk
leftover cold coffee to fill above ice- again, about 1 cup

Blend and enjoy! Better frozen mocha than you can buy almost anywhere!

(Also works with vanilla protein powder or cookies-n-cream)

will2lose72

PB2...pb flavor for less calories. Works well in smoothies.

henriettevanittersum

Cocoa - Dry powder, unsweetened, 1 tbsp
Black beans, 0.25 cup
Progressive - Harmonized Vegan Protein Natural Vanilla, 1 Scoop (35 grams)
Strong Coffee - Brewed from grounds, .5 cup
Pear - Bartlett (Fresh), 0.5 medium- approx 6oz (177g)
Grace - Coconut Water Without Pulp, 100 ml
Avocado 0.5 medium

Yummie

Edited because I forgot the avocado!

skirksey77

What brand of protein powder are you all suggesting? I've tried one in the past and it was AWFUL! Any recommendations? I'd like to try protien shakes.

_lyndseybrooke_

What brand of protein powder are you all suggesting? I've tried one in the past and it was AWFUL! Any recommendations? I'd like to try protien shakes.

I know what you mean! I tried two different protein powders before I found this one and they were absolutely awful. My husband uses the Oh Yeah! brand in their Vanilla flavor. It's a whopping 38 g of protein per scoop, but it's over 200 calories and has way more sodium in it than it should. He has to chug it to get it down and I tried to use the recipe I originally posted to make it taste better and it didn't work - it had a really weird taste that I can't quite put my finger on.

The other brand I tried was the Walmart whey protein powder. Gross.

So I went to the local nutrition shop and asked the girl there what she recommended as far as flavor and calorie count go. She recommended CSN 100% Pro Whey Standard protein powder. One 32 g scoop contains only 115 calories, 24 g protein, 1 g fat, 2 g carbs, 1 g sugar, and 35 mg sodium. I was skeptical, but WOW. First of all, it mixes SO well. You can just mix it with a spoon and there won't be any lumps. No weird aftertaste at all. It is DELICIOUS! It tastes like a melted vanilla milkshake. I started off just using a scoop of the powder with 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup almond milk, but then I discovered this other recipe which basically doubles the amount you get to drink. I can't say enough good things about this protein powder.

HOWEVER, I believe it's hard to find if you don't live in South Carolina - it seems to be a local brand. You can get it online, though: http://www.southcarolinabarbell.com/store/search/brand/CSN/ or http://www.planetarynutrition.com/csn-pro-whey-standard-10lb/.

If you'd like to try something more easily accessible, I've heard good things about BSN Lean Dessert. A 35 g scoop yields 150 calories, 21 g protein, 3.5 g fat, 8 g carbs, 3 g sugar, and 120 mg of sodium. Most people seem to like the taste of it, but I haven't tried it myself.

Hungry_Annie

Check this out: http://dashingdish.com/recipes/shakes/


My new go-to for protein shakes. SOOOO Yummy.

I use either Promasil powder, 100 calories a scoop, 20 grams of protein, and right now I am using Gold Standard 100% Whey Vanilla Crème. Its good. 110 calories, 24 grams of protein. Both are available at GNC.

jillybean197

I really like Vega (vanilla).

_lyndseybrooke_

Check this out: http://dashingdish.com/recipes/shakes/


My new go-to for protein shakes. SOOOO Yummy.

I use either Promasil powder, 100 calories a scoop, 20 grams of protein, and right now I am using Gold Standard 100% Whey Vanilla Crème. Its good. 110 calories, 24 grams of protein. Both are available at GNC.

Thank you so much for that link!