What to do with protein powder?

I just stick with the protein powder and water (sometimes milk). What brand/flavors are you using? Some brands taste better than others. My favorites are:

1. Dymatize Elite Gourmet (any of the chocolate flavors)
2. Optimumum Nutrition (I've only had chocolate)
3. Muscle Milk (All of the flavors have the consistency of a milkshake when mixed with water)

Also, a good shaker bottle is key.

[/quote]

Well right now I've been using Body Fortress Chocolate. But my roommate uses a Vanilla in another brand I don't like. I've also tried my brothers Chocolate Brownie, which he seems to love, but I'm not a big fan. I don't know. It's not the taste that bothers me, so much as that aftertaste.

I do have a Blender Bottle. Once I finish this jar I may try one of the ones you just named.
[/quote]

You should try websites like bodybuilding.com or dpsnutrition.com because you can often get smaller serving sizes (~5 or 10) to determine if you like them and want to get more without purchaing a 2 lb jug. I've never used Body Fortress, but from the kinds I have tried, anything that doesn't have 'chocolate" in the flavor name (i.e., chocolate peanut butter, etc.) usually isn't that good IMO.

http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/breakfastbrunch/peanut-butter-banana-oat-breakfast-cookies-with-carobchocolate-chips/

Between the peanut butter and protein powder there's plenty of protein, and they don't taste bad... I have a hard time with protein shakes as well:-/

You may need to get a different protein powder.

I add vanilla protein powder to my cereal in the mornings, and to my afternoon greek yogurt.

I also do the protein shots you can buy at walmart. They taste like dead rats, but they have zero carbs or sugar, and its over quickly.

You may need to get a different protein powder.

I add vanilla protein powder to my cereal in the mornings, and to my afternoon greek yogurt.

I also do the protein shots you can buy at walmart. They taste like dead rats, but they have zero carbs or sugar, and its over quickly.

And WHY would you know what a dead rat tastes like?

I absolutely LOVE Unjury protein powder, which I think you can only get online @ their website. Flavors are chocolate (splendor tastes better than original to me), strawberry (didn't love that one), vanilla (good just with skim milk), chicken soup (was actually good), unflavored, and they now have cheese but haven't tried it. Good thing is you can order sample packets to see if you like it first... Downside to this one is that it is very temperature sensitive and cannot be used in hot (over 130 degrees) foods/liquids. So, you can have 'warm' hot chocolate.... Other than that, this is absolutely my go to protein powder. Now, for other than your standard protein drink flavors, I love nectar powder. Has some great flavors and you can find sampler packs online to purchase a variety of their flavors to try out first... Good luck!

I believe all why protein powders are subject to a certain amount of "denaturing" when combined with hot liquids/foods.

almond milk, 1 scoop of vanilla protein, frozen berries/fruit, ice, blend..

Whey protein makes me want to barf, but I like soy just fine. I'd try a different type of protein to see if you find one you like. Genisoy chocolate is pretty good in milk or even just water, and makes a decent protein "pudding" when I mix it with yogurt.

I mix it with fruit and make a smoothie. One of your five a day and my protein shake in one go.

I use Whey to Go by Solgar.

Maybe a blended smoothie might be up your alley, also using a protein powder that has smaller granules (yes it is possible that you have a more coarse granules). Checking out a GNC or health product store that has a large assortment of protein powders they can help find you one that has smaller granules to more easily mix in and possibly have sample sizes to purchase (a couple servings in each sample pack). Also finding the right flavor and the right things to add in. It is a task but if you want to go the protein powder way but don't like the powder then it's all about experimentation.

I found a pharmacy brand (six star excellence, muscletech) was actually really good and I have had other protein powders and hated them. Too grainy for the most part, but this one blends so well you barely can tell it is in there!

Or you can up the high protein meats or legumes in your diet (at a similar calorie rate) and then no need for the powdered stuff

I use chocolate protein powder to make hot cocoa instead of hot cocoa mix. Just put a scoop in a cup of milk and heat it. O_O #SOGOOD

That's a fantabulous idea......

I personally don't mind the taste of any of the protein powders I've tried...I just stick to chocolate. I've never thought about making hot cocoa though...I'm totally doing that this weekend around the fire.

I use Biochem whey protein, and generally always have 3 flavors: chocolate fudge, vanilla, and berries and whey. I mix them with almond milk (chocolate or vanilla, unsweetened) and crushed ice in a blender. Depending on the day I may add any of the following to get different flavor combinations:

Frozen banana
frozen berries
1 T sugar-free jello pudding mix (lots of flavors available!)
Almond butter
Cashew butter
peanut butter
pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spices
fat free cottage cheese and sugar free cheesecake pudding mix (makes it taste like liquid cheesecake, with tons of protein!)
chocolate hazelnut milk instead of almond milk, plus chili powder, cayenne, and cinnamon
greek yogurt
egg yolk, nutmeg, and cinnamon - tastes like egg nog!
vanilla extract
peppermint extract (very good in chocolate)


By switching up the flavors, I feel like I am having a treat every day, and I never get bored. I have found that as time goes on, I have developed a fondness for the taste (except the plain berries and whey), and don't need to add stuff nearly so often unless I am craving a treat, which I rarely crave anymore. Now I mostly just add stuff in in order to increase my protein, fiber, calories, or all of the above.

This isn't a shake idea, just another fun way to use your protein powder...I make a protein fro yo (it's an idea I got from Muffin Topless - www.muffin-topless.com - but tweeked a little):

1 scoop of protein powder
1 tbsp unsweetened natural cocoa powder
2-3 oz plain nonfat greek yogurt
1` tbsp natural nut butter (i like almond)
*Sometimes I add a small splash of soy milk

Mix together and put in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes. I also like to add 1/2 tsp of sprinkles at the end. Great way to deter a sweet fix and still eat clean!

Breakfast Shakes :



Berries + Greens Shakes-

1 cup frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries, etc.)
1 to 2 loosely-packed cups of spinach
2 cups coconut milk
1 tbsp coconut oil
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder


Keepin' It Smooth Shake-

1 avocado
5 ounces frozen peaches
1 handful of raspberries
1 handful of hemp seeds
Unsweetened almond milk
2 dates
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)

Favorite Green Shake-

3 cups spinach
1 cup frozen blueberries (or raspberries, blackberries, mangoes, papaya, etc.)
1 tbsp flax oil
1 tbsp maca powder
1 tbsp spirulina
1 cup almond milk
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder
2 dates or a few drops of stevia to taste

Morning Mocha-

1 cup strong teccino or yerba mate tea
2 tbsp cacao powder
1 handful of raw almonds
Stevia to taste
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder (ideally chocolate flavor)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)


Mango Peach Lassi-

1 large nectarine
1 mango, flesh removed from skin (discard skin)
Ice
Coconut milk
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder (ideally vanilla flavor)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)


Sweet Green Smoothie-

8 oz water
2 giant handfuls of spinach
1 mango, peeled and diced
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder (ideally vanilla flavor)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed


Euro Nut-

1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 dates or stevia to taste
2 tbsp raw cacao
2-4 tbsp hazelnut butter
Unsweetened coconut milk
Ice
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder (ideally chocolate flavor)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)


Coconut Chai Shake-

1 cup coconut milk (unsweetened)
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
A pinch of allspice
2 tbsp almond or cashew butter
1/4 cup shredded coconut
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder (ideally vanilla flavor)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)


The Pits-

4 peaches
1 avocado
12 cherries, pitted
Ice
Unsweetened almond milk (enough for desired consistency)
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)


Spice It Up Shake-

2 cups almond milk
1 cup frozen raspberries
1 tbsp carob powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg (freshly grated is the best, but you can use the already ground powder, too)
1/4 tsp stevia
Pinch of sea salt


Malted “Milk” Shake-

1 cup coconut water
1/2 cup coconut meat (either from a young Thai coconut or organic shredded dried coconut flakes and an additional 1/2 cup water)
1 tbsp almond butter
3 dates, pitted (or a few drops of stevia to taste)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)


John R’s Favorite Shake-

Warm tea (i.e. pau d’arco, gynostemma) as base
2 tbsp coconut oil
1/4 avocado
Couple dashes cinnamon
Dash of stevia
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)


Cinnamon Rolls For Breakfast-

1/2 cup almonds and 1 cup water (or 1 cup unsweetened almond milk)
1 cup coconut water
1 tsp cinnamon
1 pinch sea salt
2 tsp vanilla extract or powder
3 pitted dates
1 tbsp pecans
Stevia to taste
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)


Sweet Protein Shake-

1 cup nuts (pecans, walnuts or almonds)
Your choice of rice/almond/hemp seed milk (just enough to cover nuts in the base of the blender)
5-10 drops stevia extract to taste
1 tsp vanilla extract
2-3 cups frozen fruit (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, mangoes, papaya, peaches)
1 apple
1 ripe pear
Water or brewed and cooled herbal tea (ginger, raspberry, lemon, rooibos, green, yerba mate, etc.) or coconut water (just enough to blend to desired consistency)
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)


Cashew Cream Smoothie-

1 handful cashews
1 cup coconut water (or nut/rice/hemp seed milk of your choice)
2 handfuls mixed berries (fresh or frozen blackberries, blueberries, raspberries)
1 ripe mango, pitted and diced
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder (ideally vanilla flavored)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)


Mango Cardamom Blast-

2 ripe mangoes, peeled and cut into pieces
1 cup coconut water
2 tbsp dried and shredded coconut flakes
Zest and juice of 1 lime
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
Garnish with lime zest and freshly ground black pepper
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)
Handful of ice cubes (optional)



Berry Protein Shake-

1 cup nut/rice/hempseed milk of your choice (either homemade with 1/2 cup nuts and 1 1/2-2 cups water, or unsweetened from the health-food store)
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
1/2 cup fresh or frozen blackberries (optional)
3 pitted dates
1 tsp vanilla
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)


Albert’s Favorite Shake-

Unsweetened almond milk
A handful of blueberries
1/4-1/2 of a mango
Handful of pineapple
1 tbsp powdered greens or spirulina
1 tbsp raw cacao powder
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder (ideally vanilla flavored)
1 tbsp coconut oil (optional)


Detoxifying Dandelion Shake-

3 cups dandelion greens
2 cups coconut water
1 mango, peeled and cubed
1 fresh peach or 1 cup frozen peaches
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder (ideally vanilla flavor)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)



The Grasshopper Shake-

1 1/2 cups warm peppermint tea
1 heaping tbsp cacao powder (you can use carob or unsweetened Dutch chocolate powder instead of cacao)
1 tbsp melted coconut oil
2 tbsp whole cashews
2 tsp spirulina (you can use chlorella or any green powder)
1/4 tsp stevia
Pinch of sea salt
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder (ideally chocolate flavor) (optional)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)
Directions:
Pour the warm tea into a blender. Add cacao powder, cashews, spirulina, salt and stevia and blend
for 45 seconds or until cashews are broken down. While blending, drizzle in the melted coconut oil.
Serve in a mug for a nourishing and warm drink.


Robert’s Favorite Shake-

1 tbsp spirulina
Frozen blueberries
Lacinato kale (washed, stems removed)
Unsweetened almond milk or hemp milk (enough to make it “pourable”)
1 tbsp almond butter (optional)
2 heaping tablespoons plant-based protein powder (ideally chocolate flavor)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)


Purple Haze Smoothie-

6 oz blackberries
2 cups of pineapple (fresh or frozen)
Water (just enough to blend so smoothie is thick and creamy)
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)


Patricia’s Favorite Shake-

Coconut water
1 cup fresh (or frozen) berries
1 tbsp unsweetened SunButter
2 dates
1 cup of spinach or kale
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder (ideally vanilla flavored)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)


Chocolate Covered Blueberries Shake-

1 large handful frozen blueberries
1 handful spinach
1 tbsp raw cacao
2 tbsp almond butter
1/2 coconut milk and 1/2 coconut water (as much as you need for your blender), or replace coconut water with green tea
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder (ideally chocolate flavor)
Dash of cinnamon
Dash of stevia as needed
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)


Almond Butter and Jelly Shake-

1-1 1/2 cups almond milk
1 handful of frozen blueberries
1-2 tablespoons almond butter (or cashew butter)
Handful of ice
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder (ideally chocolate flavor)
1 small handful of cherries, pitted (optional)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)


Becky ’s Morning Shake-

8 oz water
3-4 oz of nut or hemp seed or rice milk (unsweetened)
1/2 avocado
2 tsp organic almond butter
Pinch of sea salt
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)
Sweetener to taste, like stevia (optional)
1 tbsp carob or raw cacao powder (optional)


Peaches and Cream Shake-

1 cup frozen peaches
2 cups whole-fat coconut milk
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (most health-food stores have this in bulk, but you can also use a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice)
1 tsp freshly grated ginger
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder (ideally vanilla flavor)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)


John H’s Favorite Shake-

1/2 cup frozen blueberries
2 dashes cinnamon
1 tbsp almond butter
8 oz water
2 heaping tbsp plant-based protein powder (ideally chocolate flavor)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)


Sexy Cilantro Shake-

1 cup rice/nut/seed milk
1 cup coconut water
1 cup papaya ( resh), peeled and diced
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup fresh or frozen mango or peaches
3 dates or stevia to taste


Peach Apple Cobbler-

1/4 cup pecans (whole or crushed)
1 cup coconut water
2 apples (any variety), cored and sliced into chunks (if organic, leave the peel on for added fiber and nutrients)
1 cup frozen or fresh peaches
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tsp vanilla powder or extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger powder
Pinch of sea salt