Don’t you just hate it when your protein shakes taste bad? You’ve followed the instructions to a tee, adding just the right amount of liquid and powder, yet it’s bland, grainy, and chalky. But don’t lose hope – we’ve found several ways to turn in around.
In this article – we share 7 easy ways to make protein shakes taste better (without compromising nutritional value).
Protein powder isn’t cheap so if you’re anything like us, you won’t want to waste an entire tub even if tastes bad. The good news is you don’t need to put up with weeks of tasteless, gritty workout shakes. Here are are fav ways of improving the taste and texture of protein shakes…
- Swap water for plant milk
- Add vanilla or almond drops
- Blend with fruit
- Spice it up
- Add hot chocolate powder
- Get a mixer ball
- Choose a tastier protein powder
Now let’s look at each of these tips in more detail…
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1 – Use Plant Milk Instead Of Water
Protein shakes almost always taste better with milk than water. This is because the fats in milk (dairy or plant-based) combine with the powder more fully.
There are very few protein powders that taste good with water alone. Free Soul is the only one that ticks this box for us. If your shake tastes powdery, then adding milk could be the solution.
Mixing them with almond, coconut or hazelnut milk can make them a lot tastier. They add a creaminess and an extra nutty flavour. Plant-based milk also helps the protein powder to dissolve more fully which creates a smoother texture.
Using 250ml (roughly 1 cup) of unsweetened plant-based milk instead of water will add about 75 calories. If you’re worried about adding calories to your shake, then use a 50:50 mix of water and plant-based milk instead.
You might also like… this Simple Banana & Almond Milk Protein Shake Recipe.
2 – Add Vanilla or Almond Drops
Plus, they hardly contain any calories so you’re not affecting the nutritional composition. If you’re trying to lose weight, flavoured drops are a helpful ingredient to have in your store cupboard.
3 – Blend With Fruit
Blending some fruit into your protein shake turns it into a delicious and nutritious smoothie. Fruit adds flavour, makes a shake more filling, and increases the nutrient content too. You’ll get extra fibre, vitamins, and energy by adding fresh or frozen fruit into the mix.
If your shake tastes gritty, chalky, powdery, or grainy, then adding fruit like banana, mango or avocado (but is it a fruit?) can help. The thick, creamy texture of these fruits will counteract the texture of the protein powder.
You might also like… this Tasty Mango Protein Powder Smoothie or Easy Coffee & Banana Protein Shake Recipe.
4 – Spice It Up
If you’re after protein shakes that taste good, then try add ground spices like ginger or cinnamon. They’ll give your drink a whole new flavour dimension without adding calories. Most of us have a spice jar knocking around the kitchen cupboards so this is a great option.
5 – Add Hot Chocolate Powder
Adding a spoonful of hot chocolate powder to your protein shake is a quick and easy way to make it taste better. We like low-calorie brands like Options Instant Belgian Chocolate which come in lots of different flavours. Chocolate orange, butterscotch, and mint are just a few that work well in smoothies and shakes.
6 – Get a Mixer Ball
Sometimes protein shakes taste bad because they’ve not been mixed up properly. If some of the powder is stuck to the side of your bottle instead of fully dissolving, then it won’t taste as good.
You might also like… What’s The Best Order To Add Ingredients To a Smoothie In?
7 – Choose a Tastier Protein Powder
Not all protein powder brands are created equal. Some have a chalky or gritty texture where as others have a slightly bitter flavour or nasty aftertaste (usually because they contain stevia).
Don’t be seduced by stylish packaging, read online reviews to find the tastiest protein powder you can. Free Soul and Misfits are the best tasting protein powders we’ve come across. But if you have a suggestion for something we should try then let us know!
How To Make Protein Shakes Taste Better – Summary
So, know you know exactly how to make your protein shakes taste better. These tips will help you prepare smooth, tasty, and nutritious smoothies, whatever ingredients you have.
You might also like… 5 Awesome Dairy-Free Protein Smoothie Recipes
