Protein Shakes...Water or Milk?

determined2lose89

I'm fairly new to the protein shake scene. I've done some reading online and in previous forum posts but looking for some fresh opinions here.

I currently have the Body Fortress Vanilla flavour. I've been using 1 scoop with 1 cup of 1% milk, some berries and some ice cubes. It works out to about 230 calories. I'd like to cut back on the calories from the milk so should I

-Continue to make it with milk
-Make it with water (does it taste gross?!)
-OR make it with 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup water (does anyone do this?)

Thank you for your opinions!

PS: No almond milk for me....nut allergies!

bcattoes

If water tastes too "watery", you can cut the calories by using unsweetened Almond milk (30 cal per cup) instead of milk.

DebRHCP

Try using unsweetened almond milk. It is only about 30 calories per 8 ounces. It is about the same consistency as 1% milk. It will add a slight almond flavor though.

iceicebritney

I'm using the EAS Lean Chocolate and doing all water, no milk or any other filler. Honestly, I think the shakes taste better with water but that's a personal preference. Also, I can make them on the go much easier without having to worry about refrigerating milk.

Jerrypeoples

the shake i get for dinner from my gym is made with milk

protein shakes i make at home are with water


needless to say the water ones do not taste too well

DebRHCP

If water tastes too "watery", you can cut the calories by using unsweetened Almond milk (30 cal per cup) instead of milk.

We had the same idea

booboo68

I'm using GNC Lean Shakes and I use water and ice and they taste great.

TravisBikes

I'm doing unsweetened almond milk here

jacksonpt

I guess I don't understand. You say that you want to cut back on cals from the milk, then ask if you should continue making it with milk.

um... ??? If you want to cut back on the milk cals, then yes, cut back on the milk. You could also cut out some berries if you wanted to reduce overall cals.

Personally I hate them with water, and have gotten so accustomed to making them with milk AND ice cream that milk-only shakes taste a little gross to me.

candiada

I love how 2 or 3 people said they use Almond milk after you said you were allergic to nuts.

moparrunner6

i dont know if anybody else does this but i dont use any fruit in my protine shakes i use coffie in mine.no milk.it gives me 2 things gives me protine and an extra boost.and iv been seeing a trainer for past 2 mounths now he says drink protine shacks.after work out not before.it will help you recover faster after work out.

bcattoes

I love how 2 or 3 people said they use Almond milk after you said you were allergic to nuts.

Sorry to burst your bubble then, but the OP went back and edited to add that, probably after the almond milk suggestions.

OP, you could cut calories with soy milk as well. It's higher than almond milk but less than cow's milk, and no nuts. There are a lot of "milk" options these days. Rice milk, oat milk, coconut milk, etc.

DaniH826

I'm fairly new to the protein shake scene. I've done some reading online and in previous forum posts but looking for some fresh opinions here.

I currently have the Body Fortress Vanilla flavour. I've been using 1 scoop with 1 cup of 1% milk, some berries and some ice cubes. It works out to about 230 calories. I'd like to cut back on the calories from the milk so should I

-Continue to make it with milk
-Make it with water (does it taste gross?!)
-OR make it with 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup water (does anyone do this?)

Thank you for your opinions!

PS: No almond milk for me....nut allergies!

If the 1% milk makes you unhappy calorie-wise, switch to skim milk.

Skim milk and lowfat cottage cheese have a superb bang-for-buck calories vs protein ratio. Why would you go to water instead of skim milk if the goal is to increase your protein?? 230 calories for a protein shake (which is a snack meal replacement, basically) is perfectly acceptable. I go up into the 300s occasionally by adding kefir and banana to mine.

I use the Body Fortress Vanilla also and am sneaking it in a bunch of things lately including my morning coffee. Nobody says protein powder has to be used in shakes. :laugh:

eileenchristine

Could use soy milk if allergic to almond. Has fewer calories than 1% milk. I use 1 cup almond and 1/2 cup of water with my protein drink. If am out of almond use the soy (my daughter prefers soy to almond, I like the almond better).

scubabum52

I use the Body Fortress Vanilla also; I usually use water and it isn't bad; the texture is a bit watery (which would be expected!), but the taste isn't too bad. I also take a shaker and powder with me when I travel; a good way to keep up the protein macros. When home, I will mix it with my oatmeal for breakfast which is very good.

Tyggress73

I mix mine with water, because I do not want the added milk calories.
It's also more convenient than worrying about refrigerating milk during the day at work, etc.

Does it taste better with milk? Yes.
Do I care enough to add those calories back in? No.

determined2lose89

I guess I don't understand. You say that you want to cut back on cals from the milk, then ask if you should continue making it with milk.

um... ??? If you want to cut back on the milk cals, then yes, cut back on the milk. You could also cut out some berries if you wanted to reduce overall cals.

Personally I hate them with water, and have gotten so accustomed to making them with milk AND ice cream that milk-only shakes taste a little gross to me.

That would probably taste awesome.

LessMe2B

I mix mine with water, because I do not want the added milk calories.
It's also more convenient than worrying about refrigerating milk during the day at work, etc.

Does it taste better with milk? Yes.
Do I care enough to add those calories back in? No.

100% agreement! :happy:

dukes418

Not sure if your nut allergies prohibit you from trying coconut milk. Only asked because I know folks have varying degrees of allergies. That said, if your protein power is tolerable, water is a decent option if you want to control addtional calories. Good luck

JustJennie1

I'll do water if I'm in a hurry or milk if I'm making a blender smoothie with protein powder. If I want to "cut back" on the calories I'll do 1/2 a cup a milk however it really doesn't make a huge difference since I'm adding other stuff to the blender as well.

My after workout smoothie today was 400 calories.

If you use water and it's too watery just cut back on how much you use.

Groovyca2022

Fat free milk...and add a banana, pb, yogurt, instant coffee, vanilla, cinnamon or torani's s/f syrups.

scythswife

I have to use milk to be able to drink it.

abbyrae1

unsweetened almond milk is my favorite!!

Tercob

Have you tried non fat milk, it has a little less caloires

Melo1966

If water tastes too "watery", you can cut the calories by using unsweetened Almond milk (30 cal per cup) instead of milk.

We had the same idea

But you did not read the part of no nuts she is allergic:huh:

pstaceyca

Try coconut water...great health benefits!!

glenner

Have you tried low cal yogurt with water? I do that sometimes. I also put a bit of cinnamon in (supposed to help lower blood sugar) and sometimes a packet of equal.

GuybrushThreepw00d

-OR make it with 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup water (does anyone do this?)

Yeah, I do a 50/50 mix.
I started on the maxi muscle stuff which tastes great with just water. I then moved to my protein, which doesn't taste so good with just water. I found the 50/50 mix to be about right.

smaihlee

I have only been using the powder (same brand as you are) for a short time now and have been experimenting with different recipes. Liquids do have an impact, but I think the add-ins have more of an impact in terms of giving you the "rich" flavor that most people are looking for.

Most shakes I've made have used water & whole milk; either 1/2 and 1/2 or a little more water than milk. The shakes I made with berries were "meh" and tasted more watery than I cared for, and the powder taste was more pronounced.

Today I made a shake that kicked *kitten*. 1 scoop powder, 2 Tbsp PB2, 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 frozen banana, 1/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup water. I know you said you have nut allergies so that won't help, but I'm really just trying to illustrate the point.

Frozen bananas are a game-changing ingredient, IMO.

algebravoodoo

I use half skim milk and half water when I need to cut the calories.

32013

1/2 of a 6 oz container fat free Greek yogurt, 3/4 cup ice, and a scoop of chocolate protein powder in the blender.
The yogurt makes it thicker and adds 50 calories. Sometimes I'll add Splenda if I feel like having it sweeter.
200 calories total.