12 Protein Smoothies To Help Build Muscle (Slideshow)
12 Protein Smoothies to Help Build Muscle
Get the protein you need to make your workout work for you, and enjoy a tasty treat in the process! What better way to get the nutrients your muscles crave than from a delicious smoothie?
Peanut Butter, Banana, and Oat Smoothie
This recipe serves as a great pre-workout morning meal. Peanut butter is packed with proteins and chia seeds are considered a complete protein, as they contain all of the essential amino acids that cannot be made in the body. Say hello to the day with this healthy drink that tastes like a milkshake!
Espresso Protein Shake
This shake is a real eye-opener! Lisa Wells at CookEatPaleo recommends a pure egg-white protein powder as a smoothie additive. "This way, I know I'm avoiding refined sugars and other additives. And I can control everything that goes into my smoothie," she says.
Sun’s Up Smoothie
This tasty tropical smoothie uses Greek yogurt as its source of protein. Lighter on the protein count, this is a nice option for a pre-cardio day drink.
Coconut Almond Smoothie
Certified strength and conditioning specialist Kusha Karvandi suggests adding some essential fats like coconut oil to your smoothies to "help complement the proteins for the muscle-building and fat burning biological processes in the body." Drink up before a big workout!
The Great Green Monster
It's not called a monster for nothing! You'll be drinking it for the protein, but this smoothie has tons of vitamins and nutrients. Vitamins A, C, and K, iron, fiber, folate, lutein, magnesium, and calcium, to name a few. It's lean, green, and great for you.
Superfood Smoothie
Hemp seeds come highly recommended as a protein-additive by Jasmine Jafferali, lifestyle and wellness consultant and creator of the Snack Smart Solutions app. She tells us that hemp "contains all 9 essential amino acids, as well as all 20 amino acids," which will give you the biggest protein boost possible.
PB&J Smoothie
A new spin on a lunch classic. Include the whey protein if you are drinking pre- or post-gym. Unless you plan to or have exercised recently, the whey protein won't really be a health benefit.
Green Bliss Power Smoothie
"For individuals with allergies to soy, gluten, and dairy, I also like to recommend pea protein powder for its high protein content," writes McKenzie, registered dietitian and member of Nourishing Partner. Pea protein is a great option for those with sensitive stomachs, as it is gentle and easy to digest.
Pomegranate Crunch Smoothie
Pomegranates are considered a superfood because of their powerful antioxidants. Let the anti-inflammatory properties of the juice and seeds team up with protein powder to aid in post-workout recovery.
Homemade Almond Milk and Strawberry Dream Smoothie
Alissa Rumsey of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that "By making your smoothies with milk instead of water, you'll get 8 grams of protein per cup." This smoothie takes that one step further by adding easy-to-make homemade almond milk to the mix.
Carrot Cake Protein Shake
For a treat to settle that sweet tooth without undoing a workout, look no further. This shake is hardly a splurge with just a few sugars and plenty of protein for a post-workout reward.
Big Cookie Shake
Treat yourself after a serious lifting day with this protein-packed dessert drink. Sweet and delicious, there are enough good things in here to forgive the cookie butter. It's not for every day, but sometimes you deserve a treat!