Drinking a protein shake is one of the best ways to monitor your calorie intake and ensure that you get sufficient amounts of proteins in your diet. In your quest to find the best unflavored protein powder, it is important to look at other ingredients such as fruits or vegetables to incorporate in your protein shake recipe. You can check the Nutrisystem review by Total Shape for list of foods that will fit your nutritional needs to achieve your ideal shape.
Most protein powders have a chalky taste to them and would be hard to drink on their own. You can jazz it up by adding other ingredients to your shake. Not only does the addition of fruits and vegetables add flavor, but they can also increase the nutritional value of your protein shake recipe.
Below is a list of the best types of fruits and vegetables you can add to your protein shake mix.
Coconut
Best ingredients to add to protein powder shakes (Image Source: Unsplash)
Coconut is one of the most popular ingredients used when making protein shake recipes. One reason for its popularity is that coconut complements just about any protein powder mixes. It is also available in different forms, giving you more flexibility with its use. You can add coconut milk or blend coconut water into your protein powder shake. You can also use coconut shavings to add texture to your drink.
Aside from adding flavor and texture to protein shakes, it is a good source of beneficial nutrients. Coconut is rich in B vitamins, dietary fiber, iron, and unsaturated fat. It also adds a sweet taste to your protein shakes that does not overpower any other ingredients you use.
Banana
Like coconut, banana is another popular ingredient or fruit used for protein shakes. You can add banana on its own or mixed with other fruits for more flavor and nutritional content. Bananas make an excellent addition to protein shakes because they add a creamy texture, as well as the right amount of sweetness.
The best part is that bananas are packed with nutrients such as vitamin A that promotes good eyesight. It also has vitamin B6 that helps convert food into energy while reducing the risk of cardiovascular conditions. Bananas are also rich in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
When choosing bananas for protein shakes, opt for the riper ones as they have more nutrients and are sweeter. The mushy texture of ripe bananas also makes them easier to blend and incorporate into your protein shake.
Berries
Top health foods to add to protein shakes (Image Source: Unsplash)
Berries are commonly referred to as a superfood because they are naturally rich in nutrients and other beneficial properties. When you add them to your protein shake, these berries will also provide robust flavor to your shake. There are a variety of berries that are available in the market and you can choose ones that you like most. You can even try using different types of berries in one protein shake recipe to make it more exciting and flavorful, not to mention healthy.
The most common types of berries used for making protein shakes include raspberry, blueberry, cranberry, blackberry, and more. You can use fresh or frozen berries since they can offer the same benefits to your protein shake recipe. Berries are also easy to mix with other fruits and vegetables. They go so well with bananas, chocolate, and matcha, to name a few. This will make it more fun to experiment with different recipes so you always have something new to try.
Spinach
When it comes to incorporating vegetables in your protein smoothie or shake, spinach is among the most popular choices available. It is the ideal option when you plan on making a green smoothie because it comes with a neutral taste so it does not affect the overall flavor. It also blends easily and does not create a lot of chunks in your protein shake, which is a good thing for those who like a smooth blend.
As a bonus, spinach is a good source of vitamins and antioxidants. If you want to ramp up the health benefits of your smoothie or shake, then you definitely need this in your recipe. Some of the best combinations of ingredients you can add with spinach for making protein shakes include banana, flaxseed, coconut, berries, yogurt, and more.
Carrots
Add carrots to your protein shake (Image Source: Unsplash)
A carrot protein smoothie or shake is another popular recipe, especially among health buffs. Carrot juices are known for their benefits due to being packed with protein and fiber. You can add carrots to your protein powder shake and it would make a complete meal replacement ideal for breakfast or a light lunch.
You can also blend carrots with other fruits and vegetables such as orange, pineapple, mango, and berries to add flavor. It is a great choice of protein shake recipe for a post-workout recovery drink, too!
Variety is the name of the game here. Make sure you incorporate different fruits and vegetables in your protein shake recipes in order to get a variety of nutrients, too. Plus, it makes your protein shake recipes more exciting and delicious. Make it a habit to stock up on healthy foods so you can easily incorporate them when making protein shakes.
