If you’re regular in the gym, you probably heard people talking about the protein shakes they drink after a workout and what kind of shake they prefer.
Protein powder mixed in a shake is a great supplement for gaining muscle mass and losing fat.
So, if you’ve bought one of these protein powders, you’re probably wondering what you should mix it with.
In this guide, we’ll share 10 of our favorite liquids to mix your protein powder with.
The Best Liquids to Mix With Protein Powder With
Water:
You knew this was coming, we know it too.
Water is the easiest, simplest, and most accessible solution out there!
The best thing about it?
It has zero calories.
Mixing your protein powder with water is a great way to satisfy your daily protein intake needs if you’re on a weight-loss diet.
Plus, it’s cheap and will help you meet your daily water intake requirements!
Milk:
Milk is most people’s favorite liquid to mix their protein powder into.
Cow’s milk adds a creamy texture and extra nutrients, like calcium and vitamin D, to your shake.
Plant-based milks, such as almond, soy, oat, and coconut milk offer a lactose-free alternative with similar nutritional profiles.
Milk will add some calories to your shake, so make sure to calculate it into your calorie-tracking app!
Mixing your protein powder with water is a great way to satisfy your daily protein intake needs if you’re on a weight-loss diet.
We found from our customers that milk is commonly mixed with our blue raspberry whey isolate protein powder, as it gives a fruity and refreshing taste to the shake.
Fruit Juices
Juices like orange, apple, or cranberry can add natural sweetness and additional vitamins to your protein shake.
Although it might seem like a weird mix at first, you’ll believe it when you try it!
Combine your protein powder with a little bit of fruit juice for a taste of healthy sweetness that’s as refreshing as a sports drink.
Fruit juices contain high levels of sugar, so make sure to save it for special occasions when your body needs sugar to refuel. But, don’t overdo it!
Take a look at our fruity flavors of protein powder, which are a great combination with fruit juices.
Coffee:
A caffeine boost and a protein boost are perfect for a morning or a post-workout shake.
If you’re not big on shakes, but love coffee, take a look at The Diet Chef’s recipe for protein coffee.
Plus, coffee will give you a much-needed pre-workout boost and a caffeine hit if you drink it before the gym!
To get the best taste, we recommend mixing coffee with classic flavors, like vanilla or chocolate. You can also try our unflavored protein power, which is great if you don’t want to change your coffee’s flavor!
Smoothies
There are plenty of tasty recipes for protein powder smoothies out there.
Smoothies mixed with protein powder are great for bulking, you can mix high-calorie foods like nuts, peanut butter, cookies, or cereal in your smoothies.
If you’re looking for a low-calorie alternative, you can explore fruit-based smoothies mixed with protein powder. They’re healthy, full of protein, and low in calories.
Plus, they’ll give you the needed vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for the day.
Protein shake ingredients for weight gain
Peanut butter:
You’ll see pretty much everyone who’s bulking use peanut butter on a daily basis.
Adding peanut butter to your protein shake is a great way to increase your overall calorie intake, which will help you with weight gain.
Peanut butter is a calorie-dense and a rich source of protein and healthy fats.
Plus, it adds a delicious creamy texture and flavor to your shake.
Oats:
Oats are a great source of beta-glucan, a type of fiber that helps with digestion and heart health.
They’re also a great source of essential minerals like manganese, phosphorus, and magnesium.
If you’re mixing oats with your protein shakes, make sure to drink them after you eat, as oats will keep you full for some time.
Adding peanut butter to your protein shake is a great way to increase your overall calorie intake, which will help you with weight gain.
Bananas:
Bananas will add natural sweetness to your shake and keep you energized.
They’re full of vital minerals such as potassium, essential for muscle and nerve function, and magnesium, which is important for energy production.
They’ll add a creaminess and a naturally sweet flavor to your shake.
Plus, they’re beneficial for post-workout recovery due to their carbohydrate content and electrolyte balance.
Greek Yogurt
Adding protein, to your protein? Sounds like a deal to us!
Greek yogurt is high in protein and also contains probiotics that help with digestive health.
It’s a healthier alternative to regular yogurt, with less sugar and more protein.
Greek yogurt also contains a good amount of Vitamin B12, which helps with:
- Red blood cell formation
- Bone health
- Brain function
- Improving your overall mood
Avocado
A nutrient-dense fruit, packed with monosaturated fats, is excellent for heart health.
It’s also great for healthy bulking, as it contains fiber, Vitamins K, C, and E, and healthy minerals like potassium and folate.
Not everyone likes avocado in their shakes, though, so make sure to test it out before going all-in!
3 tricks to make your protein smooth every time you drink it.
Store your protein powder in a dry place
Protein and fat attract water molecules, which lead to the clumps you usually see in your protein shake.
The less moisture and humidity it’s exposed to, the less likely it is for your protein powder to form the clumps.
Follow the advice written on the back of the protein powder container.
Add your protein powder after the liquid
Add a liquid to your shaker bottle first, and after you’ve filled it, add your powder into the liquid and shake it.
Pouring liquid on top of a dry powder makes it more likely for clumps to form.
If you want to avoid this, put the liquid first.
If you’re looking for an extra smooth texture, pour the liquid slowly while stirring the powder.
Use a blender
Mixing your shake with a blender can help break up the clumps and make your protein shake smoother and easily drinkable.
It’s also faster and less exhausting than shaking the bottle.
Takeaways
Protein powder is an incredibly tasty, effective, and healthy supplement that can be adapted to fit any dietary need or goal. By experimenting with different liquids, ingredients, and flavors, you can find the perfect protein shake recipe that’s healthy, fits your dietary goals, and is tasty.
To help you meet your fitness goals, a tasty protein powder is a must.
