Protein Shake recipes that actually taste good?

gardengnomemanifesto
gardengnomemanifesto Posts: 427 Member
edited 11:35AM in Recipes
I have a new blender! I am looking to add protein shake into my daily routine. I am just starting out on trying to lose a bunch of weight. I have tracked my food for a couple weeks to see what i'm eating...the results..way too much, too many carbs, sweets and hardly any protein. I am going to up my protein and want to try shakes. However, they don't seem to taste that great with just powder. Any recipes? Also I am thinking my kids could use one? Is it ok for kids to have a protein shake?

Replies

  • bikesncarz8
    bikesncarz8 Posts: 1 Member
    Hello, one of my favorite concoctions is this:
    1-2 Tablespoons creamy peanut butter
    1 scoop protien
    1/2 cup plain yogurt
    Ice and water! (Add however much you want depending on how thick you like your shake). :) hope this helps!
  • thanks! I will try this.
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  • cathipa
    cathipa Posts: 2,991 Member
    I like to add cocoa powder and extracts to my vanilla protein powder (i.e cocoa & mint, cocoa & raspberry/strawberry, cocoa & coconut). Kids can drink protein powder as well, but since it is a supplement I would recommend they receive it from their regular diet.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    Vanilla protein powder
    1 banana
    1/2-1 cup frozen mixed berries
    Milk

    Chocolate protein powder
    1 banana
    1-2 tbsp peanut butter
    Milk
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    edited December 2017
    1c vanilla ice cream
    1.5c orange juice
    2 scoops vanilla whey

    It probably won't hurt your kids, but whether or not it's good for them (thinking bigger picture) is up to you and your family. Kids are governed/limited more by what we have in the house and what we cook for them than they are by hectic schedules, work lunches, etc. I guess if I were going to do something like a shake for my kids, I'd do something like the carnation instant breakfast drinks. But that's just me.
  • SolotoCEO
    SolotoCEO Posts: 293 Member
    First find a protein powder you like. That's the biggest hurdle. There are many brands out there - some are great just mixed with water. Others have to be mixed with milk to make them edible. Still others (IMO) can't be saved no matter what you do to them. My favorite (I drink it every morning) is Click Espresso Protein (2 scoops) mixed with Equate (Walmart brand) Chocolate Whey (1.5 scoops) - mixed with water and a bit of ice. If I do a second shake in the day (right before a grocery run or just really busy), I'll mix some frozen berries, a banana, or pb in just so I get a few more calories and it isn't boring. Just experiment until you find what works for you!
  • vingogly
    vingogly Posts: 1,785 Member
    edited December 2017
    1 cup frozen berries, or a frozen banana; 1 ice cube; 1 cup almond or coconut milk (you could use soy for even more protein); 1/4 cup low fat ricotta or Greek yogurt; 2 scoops Chocorite protein powder. The frozen fruit and ice cube result add to the thickness, the ricotta or yogurt add to the richness. Very tasty and filling, about 320 calories, 11g fiber, 26g protein. One favorite combination of mine is chocolate protein powder plus a frozen banana or frozen cherries. I'd add flax or chia but I can't because of the blood thinner I'm on. The peanut butter-banana combo above sounds great, too.
  • hay_whitney
    hay_whitney Posts: 5 Member
    I do a scoop of protein powder, frozen banana, and unsweetened coconut milk. I LOVE the frozen bananas because I don't have to waste them once they start to get brown, and it makes my protein shakes thick and creamy without making it icey. Also, its good with any flavor of protein powder. It's like a treat ;)
  • MikePfirrman
    MikePfirrman Posts: 3,307 Member
    edited December 2017
    Yeah, frozen banana is the key. Also, when avocados start to go bad, it's a great way to use them. Cut them into 1/4s and freeze. I go to Cabo often and there's a coffee bar on the beach there that serves a "Milky Way" shake. It's Coconut Milk, Almonds, a frozen Avocado and Vanilla Protein Powder. Avocados add the same creaminess of a banana with much less carbs.

    Another favorite of mine is Vegan Mocha flavored protein powder, unsweeted Cashew Milk, frozen banana (you don't even know the banana is in it) and some Cacao Nibs. Think like a Coffee Chip Mocha Frozen drink.

    My wife loves OJ, Vanilla Vegan Protein powder and frozen pineapples and just a bit of frozen banana. She might add some mango in hers too. Great after a long cardio day.

    We have freezer bags of bananas, berries, pineapple, mango and sometimes avocados too. We buy when on sale, cut and freeze. The avocados are tricky to get apart though. They freeze together into a mess so we use smaller sandwich bags on those. There's also one international grocery store that sells overripe bananas for like 19 cents a pound.
  • dialtone75
    dialtone75 Posts: 5 Member
    Dole Frozen Mixed Berries w/ Pomegranate, 1/2 cup with chocolate or vanilla powder, 6 ice cubes, and 8 oz of almond milk is my current go-to breakfast smoothie. Big bag of the frozen berries at Sam's club $9.48 right now and last a while.
  • GoldenEye_
    GoldenEye_ Posts: 330 Member
    I use garden of life vanilla chai organic protein. Mix it with some soy milk, lemon and add in a teaspoon of chia seeds. It's simple, but I really love it.
  • geordie_magic
    geordie_magic Posts: 9 Member
    60g Strawberry Protein Powder, 30g crunchy peanut butter, 350ml semi skimmed milk + 1 banana! Delicious X
  • All good ideas. I am going to incorporate a smoothie into my daily calories. Thank you for the input.
  • healthimom
    healthimom Posts: 1 Member
    My very favorite protein powder is by Isagenix. I like the French Vanilla, because you can add anything to it -- although the Chocolate and the Strawberry are also excellent. I believe that starting with the right powder makes a huge difference. This one tastes great as is, just mixed with water and ice. It's got 24 g of undenatured whey protein, plus 8 g of fiber + 23 vitamins and minerals. This helps me feel full longer. I love to add combinations of cocoa powder, frozen banana, frozen berries, frozen watermelon balls, almond butter, spices, essential oils (the safe ones), chia seeds, flax meal, etc. Every combo is so good! :-)
  • GOT_Obsessed
    GOT_Obsessed Posts: 817 Member
    Where I get mine they have a taste station. (Popeye's)

    Maybe look for a place like that where they let you taste before buying.

    I buy "Isogold" and like peanut butter chocolate flavour.
  • chadblatherwick
    chadblatherwick Posts: 1 Member
    1 cup of vanilla almond milk
    I frozen banana
    1 tablespoon of Peanut butter
    1- 2 scoops of whey
    2 meloy dates
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    Frozen banana and/or frozen coffee ice cubes make a lot of protein shakes taste better. You might need a different protein if you don't like what you have by itself. See if you can get some single trial packets. I emailed Quest and they sent several to me. I also tried PEScience. My favorites are Quest Salted Caramel and PEScience Snickerdoodle (but their peanutbutter cookie is also really good.) I'm not a huge fan of either brand's chocolate powders even though I usually love chocolate--I think its too sweet or something.
  • GoodbyeGut
    GoodbyeGut Posts: 40 Member
    i use Optimum Nutrition brand whey isolate powder. i can vouch for the taste of the Vanilla and the double dutch chocolate, both very good. A cup of 2% milk, a banana, cup of yogurt (Yoplait light Vanilla is my go to), and a scoop of the ON powder and you're set.
  • Skinniedipper
    Skinniedipper Posts: 14 Member
    Adding fresh or frozen strawberries to a chocolate protein shake, is one of my favorites!
  • caiteh86
    caiteh86 Posts: 243 Member
    My go-to protein shakes for after the gym are:

    1 scoop Beyond Yourself pancakes & syrup flavoured whey isolate powder
    1/2 frozen banana
    1 tbsp natural peanut butter
    1 cup unsweetened cashew milk
    Some ground nutmeg & cinnamon

    OR

    1 scoop beyond yourself vanilla ice cream whey isolate
    1/2 frozen banana
    1/2 cup frozen fruit usually cherries or strawberries
    1 cup unsweetened cashew milk

    Both so delicious and filling for around 300 calories. Like some of thr above posters have said...frozen bananas are the KEY to making a great protein smoothie!
  • Fitnessflexibility
    Fitnessflexibility Posts: 795 Member
    Omg I love this! I have so many favorites

    My go to is simple:
    Almond milk
    Banana
    Plant based protein powder
    Chia
    Flax
    Spinach
    Maple syrup (100% pure)
    Cinnamon

    My new favorite:
    Freshly juices pinapple and orange
    Banana
    Vanilla plant based protein powder
    Coconut (shredded)
    Chia
  • augustremulous
    augustremulous Posts: 378 Member
    edited December 2017
    I’m not really big in artifical protein powders these days . That said, when I was, I really loved all the shakes at a place near my gym, so I’d just copy their recipes. They told me they use Muscle Pharm Combat Powder.


    https://www.theproteinbar.com/menu?brand=tpb&loc=chicago

    My favorite is the Fruit Loop’d. Tbey are very popular around here and their shakes do taste good, ans don’t have the chalky artificial flavor to them.
  • dandur
    dandur Posts: 267 Member
    edited January 2018
    Pretty much everything here: https://dashingdish.com/recipes/shakes

    She uses greek yogurt or cottage cheese as the protein source in many of them.
  • Bbearhug
    Bbearhug Posts: 20 Member
    So many helpful posts here! I think a lot of it has to do with protein powder you are using. I am lactose intolerant so I can only have whey isolates. I use Nature's Best Isopure brand. It was a great taste with just water. And if you don't suffer, as I do, Syntha 6 is absolutely amazing flavor! I am only referring to chocolate flavor.
  • BreeGees
    BreeGees Posts: 10 Member
    I keep it super simple.

    Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder, Double Rich Chocolate
    Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk

    Tastes incredible. Gold Standard calorie amount is as good as any and it's the best tasting protein I've ever had. Then I just throw it in a blender bottle and I'm good to go!
  • this has all been super helpful! Thank you for all the great ideas.
  • Omg I love this! I have so many favorites

    My go to is simple:
    Almond milk
    Banana
    Plant based protein powder
    Chia
    Flax
    Spinach
    Maple syrup (100% pure)
    Cinnamon

    My new favorite:
    Freshly juices pinapple and orange
    Banana
    Vanilla plant based protein powder
    Coconut (shredded)
    Chia

    what does the chia do? Is it like tapioca texture? Or does it get blended in?
  • staticsplit
    staticsplit Posts: 538 Member
    My favourite:

    1 scoop chocolate whey protein
    1 cup frozen unsweetened dark cherries
    1 cup almond milk
    50g or so of yoghurt/Skyr if I have it.
    Sometimes a scoop of peanut or almond butter if I need more calories or I'm feeling decadent
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