Homemade Healthy Protein Shakes - The Best Ways to Make Your Own Protein Shakes
Intro
Bodybuilders and dieters alike have turned manufactured protein shakes into a multimillion-dollar industry, but there are cheaper and healthier ways to make your own protein shakes.
Pre-made protein shakes can be expensive are often full of preservatives and additives, so you are probably better off making your own protein shakes.
Specific protein shake recipes are available through various websites and magazines, but there’s no need to carefully measure every ingredient or spend time seeking out specific items needed to make your own protein shakes.
Why protein shakes?
If you’re a serious exercise fanatic or bodybuilder, you are most likely to make your own protein shakes. They help build muscle and maximize the benefits of a strenuous workout if consumed directly after exercising. Your body can process the protein and build muscle faster by making your own protein shakes than by eating most solid foods.
Vegetarians and vegans, you may also want to make your own protein shakes, but vegans should be careful about the ingredients. Avoid eggs and whey protein, which is made from milk. On the other hand, you might not want to make your own protein shakes if you are dieting. There is little evidence of the weight-loss benefits of commercial protein shakes, and some protein powders are high in calories and fat.
How to get protein
The basis of protein shakes, of course, is the protein. So what’s the best way to get protein when you make your own protein shakes? The most popular method today is with protein powders, often made from soy or whey. Chocolate or vanilla flavors are available, but flavored mixes will contain extra additives.
Gyms, specialty stores and supermarkets sell protein mixes. Specialty stores and some herbal stores can help you choose your best mix to make your own protein shakes, whether you are looking for a low-calorie mix or something with no genetically modified ingredients.
Each mix has advantages and disadvantages. Some blogs and message boards warn about dire dangers of soy products. However, reliable sources such as the Mayo Clinic have no warnings about soy. To be sure, the majority of soy is genetically modified, which is a concern for some. Also, soy contains chemicals that may inhibit physical growth, so take care when you make your own protein shakes for children.
There are other potentially simpler and more natural ways to get protein when you make your own protein shakes. Eggs are one option, but I would recommend against eggs because of the salmonella danger. Granted, the threat is rather low, but it is still a serious concern. A third option is a variety of solids with protein, such as cottage cheese or peanut butter. They might be healthy options, but it is difficult to get very much protein from mixing these items with fruit or other ingredients.
What else to add
When you make your own protein shake, you can just add water to a protein mix, but the taste is not ideal and you will be missing out on additional nutrients that come from adding fruit, milk or other ingredients. Milk or ice cream can make for extra protein, creaminess and taste when you make your own protein shakes. I also recommend experimenting with different fruit to find your favorite mix and make your protein shakes taste more like smoothies.
Finally, if you want to get seriously healthy when you make your own protein shakes, add some wheatgrass, wheat germ or yogurt.