7 ways to make protein shakes taste better

We don’t blame you for wanting to learn how to make
your protein shakes taste better—while they’re great for helping you hit your
daily nutritional goals, drinking them every day can become mundane.  

Here are 7 ways to make your protein shakes taste better, so you can boost your protein intake without getting a mouth full of lumpy powder.

1. Try different protein powders 

Not all protein powders are created equal. If you
want to learn how to make your protein shakes taste better, it’s a good idea to
experiment with different types of powder to understand your preferred tastes.

Even unflavoured protein powders have a slight
taste, as it’s impossible to eradicate this.

While it may not be a strong flavour, it can still affect the overall taste of your drink, so be sure to get to know each type before experimenting with different bases and flavour enhancers.

The main types of protein powder available on the
market include:

whey powder—perfect for a smooth texture and allows your body to absorb protein swiftly to begin the muscle reparation process as soon as possiblecasein powder—thicker than whey but provides a slow-release source of protein and essential amino acidshemp powder—a good plant-based source of antioxidants and minerals (namely iron and magnesium), with an earthy taste that blends well in most bases (excluding water)pea powder—a good plant-based source of protein for reducing blood pressure and cholesterol, has an extremely smooth texturecollagen powder—has a range of health benefits on the skin, joints and bones and is easy to blend with most bases

Try a few different types and see what tickles your fancy. You might find it useful to order sample packs, such as this £1.62 bag from Myprotein, so you can have a taster session without breaking the bank.

2. Purchase unflavoured protein powder 

Assuming you’re used to purchasing flavoured protein
powder and only mixing it with milk or water to find it tastes sub-par, we’d
suggest ditching the pre-flavoured kind altogether.

This gives you more control over your shakes’
flavour, giving them a less processed taste.  

Natural sweeteners like stevia, honey, or agave syrup are great to experiment with alongside fresh fruit or juice if you’re making a protein smoothie.

3. Switch up the base liquid

Building a delicious protein shake or smoothie is
best done if you start with the foundations. It’s a good idea to try different
powders and bases to find a combination that suits your taste buds.

The most popular bases for protein shakes include:

whole milk—great for adding a creamier texture to your protein shake or getting rid of chalkinesssemi-skimmed milk—works well with powders that produce shakes that are too thick when mixed with whole milkplant-based milks—almond, oat, soy, coconut or cashew milk can transform the flavour and texture of your shakesfruit juice—perfect for sweet and nutrient-boosting protein smoothieskombucha—an interesting way to change up your protein shake recipes, as there are many different flavourswater—ideal for adding to shakes that are too thick, but doesn’t usually taste great used in isolation (it can create chalky textures)

Once you find a base and powder combination (or multiple) that excites you, you can elevate your recipes in a few simple ways and learn how to make your protein shakes taste better.

4. Experiment with flavours and textures

Now is when things get exciting. You can enhance the
flavours and texture of your shakes or smoothies in a variety of ways by adding
ingredients such as:

extracts like vanilla or mintnut butters like peanut, almond, or cashewpowders and spices like cinnamon, turmeric, nutmeg, or cocoasugar-free flavoured syrups or dropsshots of espressonuts and seedsyoghurtlow-calorie ice cream

Hopefully, this list demonstrates that there are
endless possibilities for creating delicious concoctions to match your tastes.

Ingredients like ice cream, yoghurt, and nut butters
will make a creamier and more filling drink. However, adding nuts and seeds to
a lighter juice-based protein smoothie will add earthier flavours to tone down
the sweetness.

Whether you’re in the mood for a Starbucks-inspired coffee shake or a fragrant turmeric smoothie, experimenting with different online recipes or even your
intuition is the best way to make your protein shakes taste better.

Remember to write down your recipes if you’re winging it to ensure your next shake tastes just as good!

5. Don’t be afraid to add more ingredients 

Want to make your protein shakes more filling and
flavourful without adding a ton of extra calories? The best way to do so is by
adding fruits and vegetables that go well together with your other ingredients.

They will provide a flavour boost and add a range of
nutritional benefits depending on the combination you use.

Popular fruits to add to protein shakes include:

frozen berriesbananasmangopineappleapples

Popular vegetables to add to protein shakes include:

kalespinachpumpkinceleryavocado

Just check that your ingredients (including the drink’s base liquid) mix well, and you’re ready to go.

6. Blend your shakes to improve the texture 

While shaker cups are convenient, they aren’t the
most effective way to mix your protein shakes—we’ve all taken a sip prematurely
and gotten a mouth full of powder.

Protein shakes taste better when blended, even if
you only use powder and a base liquid.

It’s the only way to guarantee a smooth texture,
especially since most are transparent, so you can easily see when the mixture
is ready. It takes slightly longer, but avoiding gritty or lumpy shakes is
worth it.

If you don’t already have one, check out these budget-friendly blenders to get you started.

7. Remember to add ice 

Finally, this is one of the most important steps
when learning how to make protein shakes taste better. A shake that is room temperature,
or even worse—lukewarm—will
never taste good.

Protein shakes left sitting out for a time can even
congeal and taste off, which isn’t great when the goal is to make them taste
enjoyable.

Adding ice to your shakes and storing them in an insulating bottle to keep them cool if you’re drinking them on the go can eradicate this problem and ensure they always taste fresh.  

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