How to Optimize Your Protein Shakes Benefits

We all know protein, that good ole macro that's so beneficial for the body. It helps satiate you, build back muscles, and build strong cells. As those who have been on their health journey in some capacity know, having increased amount of protein helps with weight loss and muscle gain. It can be hard for your body to obtain an adequate amount of proteins through just food alone, so commonly we whip up protein shakes to supplement for the protein we aren’t always getting from our meals. But how can we optimize our shakes for flavor and increased health benefits? Let me spill what I love to throw into my protein shakes, things I consume on the daily.

I usually choose an organic, all natural almond milk to use as my base, ensuring that the milk isn’t too heavy but still satiating and doesn’t disrupt the flavor of the rest of the ingredients. Unsweetened is key so that you don’t consume any additional, unnecessary sugars. To add to the flavor and protein content, I always add a big glob of natural peanut or almond butter. Make sure that your peanut butter is of higher quality so that you don’t consume any unnecessary additives or chemicals that can disrupt the gut microbiome. 

Protein powder quality is key, and there are good options for both omnivores and vegetarians! Do your research to see which variety of protein best fits your needs, but my personal favorite is Alani nu or Arbonne. The flavor of your protein powder helps distinguish much of its flavor, but get fun with it! The variety of your shakes flavor profile can be endless. Tap into your sweet tooth and let that guild your choice for flavor. My personal favorite is chocolate, helping my satisfy my sweet tooth’s cravings. 

Now, since you’re blending everything together, it’s a beautiful opportunity to add things in that won’t disrupt the flavor but will add a multitude of health benefits to your shake into your body. In every one of my shakes I always add in a scoop of collagen powder, assisting in my hair and skin, as well as flaxseeds, ensuring I get plenty of omega-3‘s for my joints to stay happy! You can also add in prebiotic or probiotic fiber, and chia seeds for an added antioxidant boost! 

As with everything, quality is the most important. You can have all the protein shakes in the world, but if the quality of its ingredients are poor, imagine what it does to your body. For many of us, protein shakes are a surefire way to supplement in and reach our macro goals of the day. For many of us, proteins shakes aren’t filling enough to replace meals. Optimize your shakes and make them something you look forward to each day! Satisfying your sweet tooth while satisfying your body‘s needs.