Chocolate Protein Shake
What to Mix with Protein Powder (25 Ideas)
There are a lot of health benefits to getting enough protein.
From more muscle mass to more efficient fat loss, a high protein diet provides an answer to a lot of our wellness needs. It makes sense that protein powder is such a popular supplement for a variety of people, not just lifters.
But as with all good things, too much over a long period of time is going to start tasting and feeling not so great.
Although there are plenty of flavors out there for you to try, there’s only so much that will hold the attention of your taste buds for a longer period of time.
While by itself protein fatigue isn’t going to mean much, it could be a demotivating factor over the long term. That’s why it’s important to spice things up every once in a while and get your daily protein powder in something other than water.
What to Mix with Your Protein Powder
To better understand what you should be mixing your protein powder with, first, you need to understand your goals.
Whether you’re supplementing for weight loss, muscle gain, or for general wellness goals, you’re going to want to be mixing with different things.
Low Calorie Liquids
If your goal is to lose some body fat, you’re going to want to limit the amount of sugar and overall calories you take in. Mixing with low-calorie liquids or healthy fruits and vegetables (if used as a meal replacement) will be the way to go.
Water is the conventional choice, but you can also try mixing with coconut water, coconut milk, black coffee, or skim and non-dairy milk.
Seeds
Fibrous additions such as flaxseeds and chia seeds can also be a great addition to keep you feeling full for longer. Using protein powder for muscle gain is going to require a different strategy. Instead of limiting calories and sugars, you’re going to have more leeway in what you mix your powder with.
Milk
Milk is a great choice because by itself it adds plenty of calories into your diet (along with calcium).
Chocolate milk is another good option that can be useful for hard gainers that want to use protein powder in their milkshakes. But you’re also going to want to get enough carbohydrates into you so your muscles have enough energy to train hard and recover.
Fruit and Oats
Including things like bananas or oats with your protein powder before a workout is going to go a long way when it comes to your performance in the gym.
Choosing the Right Protein Powder
There’s a lot to say about protein powders, but for our needs, we’ll only talk about the factors that’ll relate to creating good mixes.
Taste is going to be the biggest aspect that’ll either make or break a recipe.
The flavor of the powder is either going to enhance the mix or make it worse. For example, a berry-flavored protein powder will go great in a blueberry smoothie, but it might not jive well in a savory recipe.
The texture is also going to be important.
Some protein powders can be chalky, so this is something to watch out for if you want a smoother taste. You should also experiment between plant-based protein powders and whey protein powder.
When it comes down to it, there’s practically no meaningful difference in protein levels, but the taste and texture can differ a lot.
When it comes to baking, for example, pea protein is often the best choice because it has the most neutral taste and the best texture for baking.
Variety is the Spice of Life and Protein
Now that we know the basics, it’ll be easier for you to make your own decisions on what a good protein mix might be. Before we dive into some specific examples, let’s take a look at the general methods of mixing with protein.
The most popular method is mixing protein with some sort of liquid.
This can either be as simple as water or milk, or an entire smoothie with different ingredients. There’s also the option of mixing protein powder into your baking or cooking, which opens an entirely new world of protein powder utilization. We’ll be looking at both methods down below.
1. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of the healthiest options you can have for breakfast or lunch. It’s full of fiber, antioxidants, and can lower your blood sugar levels. Oatmeal is also a great option if you’re trying to manage your weight. Simply cook your oatmeal as you normally would and add a small cup of protein powder at the end, for some extra protein in your meal.
2. Pancakes
You can’t go wrong with pancakes, and that goes double for protein pancakes.
Although basic pancakes don’t have too much of a nutritional profile going on, there are ways to up the ante by introducing some ingredients that you might not always find. For example, including whole oats and Greek yogurt along with the protein powder is a good way to pack a larger nutritional punch.
With pancakes and other baked goods we’ll be looking at, protein powder should be thought of as a more absorbent flour. That means you can swap it at a 1:1 ratio to flour, but don’t substitute over 1/3 of the flour for protein powder.
3. Protein Brownies
Many peoples’ guilty pleasure, brownies are seldom thought of as a healthy snack. While adding protein powder may not change the unhealthy parts too much, it will add some extra protein to this dessert. You can follow the same substitution trick as with the pancakes.
4. Cocoa Banana Muffins
Muffins of all types and varieties are great, but protein muffins are even better. Banana and cocoa are already a classic combo, but adding some protein powder is another great way to go.
This recipe is a great place to start. You can also substitute in chocolate-flavored protein powder, but make sure that you decrease the amount of cocoa you end up using.
5. Protein Waffles
Waffles are another breakfast staple that can be revamped with just a little protein powder substitution. Add some berries on top for a bit more nutrition and you’ve got a protein-packed meal for breakfast, lunch, or maybe even supper.
6. Chia Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Protein balls are an excellent option if you want something sweet and tasty when you’re on the go. Adding protein powder into the mix only elevates an already nutrient-packed snack. It’s pretty simple to make these and you can add whatever ingredients you want.
The most important ingredient, used for binding, are dates.
Put in a food processor after being soaked, dates provide the perfect binding agent to bring together protein powder, chia seeds, nuts, and peanut butter.
7. Protein Bars
If you’re looking for a bulkier snack to take along with you when you go out, protein bars are another good option. Dates can also be used to bind together protein bars. Include some nuts, seeds, and chocolate chips for added variety and taste.
8. Oatmeal Protein Cookies
Cookies are another great to-go snack that can keep your cravings at bay between meals. With the added benefit of being chock full of protein, these oatmeal cookies are sure to be a welcome addition to any lunch.
9. Protein Chia Seeds
Chia seeds can be combined with any liquid and left for a few minutes to turn it into a pudding-like consistency. This makes it a healthy snack since you’re not going to be consuming any additives, that is, unless you choose to include a scoop of protein powder. This simplicity allows you to play around with flavors to see what works for your taste buds.
10. Extra Protein-y Burgers
When making burgers or meatballs, you’re already going to be getting a ton of protein in your meal. However, sometimes you can never get enough of it. Protein powder can work as a good binder when making patties or meatballs (just opt for an unflavored powder).
11. Mashed Potatoes
Potatoes are both delicious and full of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. While the fried options are tasty, they’re decidedly less healthy because of all the extra oil. Mashed potatoes are a healthier option that can taste just as good. But if you’re looking to increase your protein intake during supper even further, adding some protein powder into your mashed potatoes is a unique and delicious option.
12. Protein Parfait
Yogurt by itself is already a healthy and tasty snack, but you can make it even better by adding some protein powder to it. Other delicious additions might include berries, nuts, and spices such as cinnamon.
13. Protein Ice Cream
Ice cream isn’t the healthiest option if you’re looking to stay fit, but thankfully, there’s protein ice cream. This “ice cream” only has three ingredients: almond milk almond butter, and protein powder. But once whisked together and put in the freezer, this dessert is going to be a great way to take care of a sweet tooth without overindulging in sugar.
14. Protein Popcorn
Butter on popcorn is a classic combo, but not necessarily healthy if you’re counting calories. Another option is to toss your popcorn in protein powder for an added protein boost. Toss it in both protein powder and some other spices (such as chipotle powder) for a sweet and salty flavor that’s sure to keep you coming back.
15. Mix in Fruit Bowls
If you’re maybe looking for a healthier snack than just popcorn, a bowl of fruits can go a long way. Not only is there a ton of variety with the fruits you can choose, but they all taste great. Not to mention all of the nutrients that come packed in all manner of fruits—you really can’t go wrong.
Consider sprinkling some vanilla protein powder over your next bowl of chopped fruits for some protein to round out your nutrient-rich snack.
16. Latte Protein Shake
We know it’s possible to mix protein powder with coffee, but why stop there? This is where the latte protein shake comes in. Take in the morning along with your breakfast and you’ve got a recipe for a turbocharged day.
1 scoop of whey protein
1/2 cup of chilled coffee
1 1/2 cups of milk (almond milk works well)
1 tsp of cinnamon
Some water, to taste
17. Honey Protein Shake
Although honey is mostly made up of sugar, it contains several different types of vitamins and minerals.
For example, it’s rich in antioxidants and may in fact improve heart health.
1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
2 tsp of honey
1 tsp of vanilla extract
400ml of coconut water
Some water, to taste
18. Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
An excellent bulking recipe for your protein powder, this smoothie is going to be as filling as it is decadent.
Chocolate with peanut butter is a classic, tasty combination, but more than just being tasty, it’s also very healthy.
Peanut butter is not only a source of healthy fat, but also protein, vitamin E, and manganese. Just try to use a nut butter that uses as little added sugar as possible.
1 banana
2 scoops of chocolate protein powder
2 tbsp of peanut butter, or other nut butter
1 cup of your choice of milk
Ice cubes
19. Banana Protein Smoothie
Bananas are a tasty and nutrient-rich fruit that pairs well with protein powder. They’re a good source of vitamin C, manganese, potassium, and they can help with digestion.
1 banana
1 scoop of protein powder, preferably vanilla flavored
2 tsp of honey
Some water to improve texture and viscosity
20. Breakfast Protein Shake
If you’re looking for a protein powder shake to power you through till lunch, this option will work great as a breakfast meal replacement. You’re going to get plenty of vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients from these ingredients.
Adding cashew nuts is especially helpful to provide you enough energy to power through the morning. The added fruits are also full of antioxidants.
200g of Greek yogurt
35g of blueberries
50g of pineapple
1 scoop of whey protein
1/2 cup of cashews
Water for viscosity
21. Grape Protein Shake
Grapes help our immune system, help to lower blood pressure, and can reduce high cholesterol. Paired with the omega-3 fatty acids that flaxseed oil provides, this makes an extremely healthy shake.
2 scoops of protein powder
1 cup of grapes
1 cup of blueberries
1 tsp of flaxseed oil
1 tsp of chia seeds
1/2 cup of water
22. Morning Green Smoothie
Another great breakfast option, this smoothie comes jam-packed with both protein and veggies. As we all know, vegetables are an essential part of our diets, being filled with vitamins and minerals. This smoothie features some of the healthiest veggies of the bunch.
1/2 cup of Greek yogurt
1 cup of almond milk
1 scoop of protein powder
1 kiwi
1/2 of an avocado
1 banana
A handful of kale
A handful of spinach
23. Pre-Workout Protein Shake
If you’re like most people, protein powder plays an important role in your workout routine. Whether you take it before or after, a simple protein shake gives you the protein your muscles need to work hard, repair and grow. This shake adds another level of energy into the mix.
1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
1 banana
½ cup of oats
1 tbsp of flaxseeds
1 1/2 cups of coconut water
24. Post-Workout Citrus Shake
After your workouts, your body needs protein as well. However, there’s also a ton of vitamins and minerals that are necessary to replenish your body’s stores. Your immune system may also be weakened after a difficult training session, which this shake addresses.
1 scoop of protein powder
1/2 of an orange
1/4 of a cantaloupe
1/2 cup of milk (cashew works well)
1/4 cup of water
Ice cubes
25. Berry Protein Shake
Not only are berries delicious, but they’re also filled with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They’re also high in fiber, help lower cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation, and might even be good for your skin. The added banana and flaxseed serve to bring this protein smoothie to the next level in terms of nutrition.
1 scoop of protein powder (make it strawberry flavored for an extra punch)
1 cup of milk (almond milk works well here)
15g of blueberries
15g of strawberries
15g of blackberries
1 tsp of flaxseeds
High-Quality Supplements for Quality Nutrition
Protein is important and necessary for anyone who wants to take their health and wellbeing seriously. Supplementing with protein powder, whether whey or plant-based, is one great option to ensure that you’re getting enough protein throughout the day.
But even though there are hundreds of different flavors out there for you to choose, protein powder mixed with water or milk is going to get old after a while.That’s why it’s important to experiment and try out different methods of taking protein powder—you never know what you might like.
That being said, it’s important to ensure that you’re getting a high-quality powder for your supplementing needs. No amount of variety or extras is going to make up for a poor powder that’s filled with pointless additives that will just lead to fat gain.
Understand and know what you put in your body, and you’ll be well on your way to sculpting the physique and the lifestyle of your dreams.
5 Tricks to Mix a Silky-Smooth Protein Shake Every Time
Protein shakes are supposed to be convenient. So, it’s no wonder you get frustrated when your protein powder doesn’t mix into a perfectly creamy drink or – worse – contains giant chewy clumps.
Luckily, we have you covered. Read on for best practices in getting the smoothest protein shake, every time.
In this article, you will learn:
Why Does Your Protein Powder Clump?
The best way to banish the clumps is to understand where they’re coming from in the first place.
Most protein powders contain protein and/or fat molecules that attract a certain amount of water. That’s it. When you don’t store your protein powder in a cool, dry place, it’s bound to clump up a bit. This also explains why the powders sometimes clump when you add your liquid. The molecules are just doing their thing – the molecules are hydrophilic, so attracting and holding onto moisture is kind of their thing.
It’s likely that this will be even more of an issue if you use a whole food-based, organic protein powder like Natural Force Organic Whey Protein, which doesn't contain any anti-clumping additives like lecithin and silicon dioxide. Moisture absorption can make for some annoying clumps, but it certainly doesn’t affect the efficacy or quality of your protein powder. However, it does make it hard to drink. Read on for our top tips to keeping your protein shake silky smooth.
Top 5 Tricks to Making the Perfect Protein Shake Every Time
1. Use the Right Tools
A high-speed blender is your best bet, but the shaker bottle is another great option. If you’re using a blender, simply add all of your ingredients (protein powder on top of the liquid!) and blend until smooth. If you’re using a shaker bottle, add half your liquid, protein powder on top, then shake. Once the powder is smooth, add the rest of your liquid and shake a little more.
We recommend either of these options over adding your powder to a cup and stirring with a spoon. But if you are sans tools, the best way to get the clumps out is to add about ¼ liquid to your cup, add the powder and stir vigorously until the clumps are gone. Smash any remaining clumps with your spoon. Then, add the rest of your liquid and stir.
2. Add Your Powder on Top of Your Liquid
This is subtle but effective. It won’t ensure a completely clump-free drink, but it certainly helps.
3. Add Some Ice to Your Shaker Bottle
This is especially effective for you shaker bottle users. Most shaker bottles include a small plastic or metal “blender ball”, but a little ice to smooth the clumps won’t hurt. Plus, cold smoothies taste better.
4. Shake, Sift, or Otherwise Break Up the Clumps Beforehand
Most protein and pre-workout powders are susceptible to some clumping, especially if you store them for long periods of time. It doesn’t mean they’re bad or that you need to throw them out. Instead, shake your container or break up large clumps with a fork. You can also sift the powder before you add to your shake.
5. Keep Your Powder in a Cool, Dry Place
This is something we read on nearly every dry food container, but not something we always abide by. Heat and moisture will totally change the consistency of your protein powder. If you live in a really humid area, you may also want to consider keeping the little silica packet in the bottom of your powder container.
Most of all, don’t get discouraged. Getting the perfect protein shake consistency may take some trial and error, but the convenience of getting high-quality protein right when you need it is totally worth the effort!
>>> Try these tips with this delicious Low-Carb Vanilla Protein Shake today!
What are your secrets to keeping out the clumps? Let us know in the comments below!
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Chocolate Protein Shake
Thick and creamy, flavorful Chocolate Protein Shake, filled with protein powder, cocoa, banana, milk, and almond (or peanut) butter. This protein shake is good enough to pass for a healthy milkshake!
Enjoy this Chocolate Protein Shake as a pre- or post-workout drink, a healthy snack to quell sugar cravings, or even for breakfast!
Chocolate Protein Shake
Probably the treat my mom made most often when I was growing up was milkshakes. We’d alternate between cookies and cream shakes, strawberry shakes, or chocolate shakes, but chocolate was always my preferred choice. Flash forward to being an adult (with a metabolism not quite as fast as when I was a kid) and having a couple of milkshakes a week isn’t practical for me anymore. I mean, there are still those weeks, but…I also want to fit in my jeans.
So when developing this Chocolate Protein Shake recipe, it had to be as *close* to a chocolate milkshake as possible — thick, creamy, rich, and wonderfully chocolate flavored. And honestly, with a good protein powder and cocoa powder, this shake is 100% that. It takes away all my sugar cravings, is packed with protein, and is about as good as it gets for a healthy milkshake. I seriously think you’re going to love this!
How do you make Chocolate Protein Shakes even better?
Honestly, it comes down to the ingredients you use! My number one tip? Use a great-tasting protein powder.
I’ve tried my fair share of protein powders and for this shake, I recommend protein powder that is whey-based and sweetened with stevia. The protein powder can make or break the shake — leaving you with great flavor or a nasty, powdery aftertaste. Here’s a list of the top-rated protein powders. My personal favorite: Optimum Nutrition® Gold Standard 100% whey protein powder (Double-Rich Chocolate).
What should I put in my shake?
I’ve played around with ingredients in this shake for years, and I’m telling you, the ingredients you use make all the difference.
Good chocolate protein powder : See more on this in the paragraph above.
: See more on this in the paragraph above. Banana : We want the banana flavor to be virtually nonexistent, but for it to add nutrition and create a thick creamy texture. Make sure to completely freeze a fully ripe banana before adding to this shake. Also, don’t use more than 1/2 cup or it will be more banana-flavored than chocolate.
: We want the banana flavor to be virtually nonexistent, but for it to add nutrition and create a thick creamy texture. Make sure to completely freeze a before adding to this shake. Also, don’t use more than 1/2 cup or it will be more banana-flavored than chocolate. Peanut butter or almond butter : Again, we want the main flavor to be chocolate, but the nut butter adds protein and healthy fats. It also adds a nice creaminess and subtle flavor. We only add 1 tablespoon so that the flavor isn’t overpowering. My personal favorite is almond butter (much more subtle), but use whichever you have on hand or like better.
: Again, we want the main flavor to be chocolate, but the nut butter adds protein and healthy fats. It also adds a nice creaminess and subtle flavor. We only add 1 tablespoon so that the flavor isn’t overpowering. My personal favorite is almond butter (much more subtle), but use whichever you have on hand or like better. Unsweetened vanilla almond milk : My favorite milk in this shake, but any milk works. I like the vanilla flavored for even more flavor.
: My favorite milk in this shake, but any milk works. I like the vanilla flavored for even more flavor. Ice : Ice gives us a thick milkshake consistency without all the calories! I use 8 regular ice cubes, or about 1 cup of ice.
: Ice gives us a thick milkshake consistency without all the calories! I use 8 regular ice cubes, or about 1 cup of ice. Cocoa powder: See more on this below!
Can I add cocoa powder to my protein shake?
The other ingredient that makes a huge difference is the cocoa powder. The cocoa balances the protein and really amps up the chocolate flavor.
Use a good cocoa powder for rich chocolate flavor in this shake. Here’s my all-time favorite cocoa powder (it will literally change your life if you bake with cocoa powder a lot!)
Hershey’s ®Special Dark Cocoa Powder is also great in Chocolate Protein Shakes.
How to make Chocolate Protein Shakes
Freeze the banana : While this chocolate protein shake is quick and easy to make, it does require a bit of planning to make sure the banana is fully frozen. I like to prep the bananas right after I get home from the grocery store so I don’t forget. Remove the peel, slice the banana into coins, place in freezer-safe containers or bags, and freeze overnight.
: While this chocolate protein shake is quick and easy to make, it does require a bit of planning to make sure the banana is fully frozen. I like to prep the bananas right after I get home from the grocery store so I don’t forget. Remove the peel, slice the banana into coins, place in freezer-safe containers or bags, and freeze overnight. Measure : While it might seem silly to actually measure out ingredients instead of just throwing everything in the blender, I highly recommend measuring until you have a feel for the quantities. (Throwing random ingredients in a blender can often end up giving you way too much shake or it can taste, well… off.) It’s also a good idea to measure ingredients if you’re tracking macros or calories.
: While it might seem silly to actually measure out ingredients instead of just throwing everything in the blender, I highly recommend measuring until you have a feel for the quantities. (Throwing random ingredients in a blender can often end up giving you way too much shake or it can taste, well… off.) It’s also a good idea to measure ingredients if you’re tracking macros or calories. Blend: If you have a high-powered blender (I recommend a Vitamix® or Blendtec®), you can add everything in and blend until smooth. This shake is very thick. You may need to blend it a couple of times or be patient as it blends; it’s worth it for how thick and creamy this shake ends up!
Are Chocolate Protein Shakes good for weight loss?
Protein is important for weight loss*. Getting enough protein can help increase your metabolism and help reduce your appetite while helping to lose body fat instead of muscle. That said, protein shakes (typically) contain quite a few calories. So if the shake works with your macro or calorie goal, it can be a great weight-loss aid. Consult with a certified nutritionist to see how this Chocolate Protein Shake works into your personal health or weight loss plans.
*While I have a background in Exercise and Wellness (B.S.), all the content in this post is for informational purposes only. Please consult a doctor or dietitian for any specific dietary needs or questions.
Other healthy breakfast recipes:
