Protein Packed Drinks to Jumpstart Your Day
Protein is required for your body to function optimally. Protein is also required to build muscle and gain weight. Too little protein and your blood sugar spikes, your body doesn’t have enough energy, and you don’t have the nutrition you need for cellular function.
Breakfast is the perfect meal to make sure you get enough protein in your day. Start your day off with a protein drink and you’ll have energy that lasts for hours. No cravings, no sugar highs, and lows.
Did you know that a whopping 20% of people skip breakfast?
But studies show that isn’t necessarily the best strategy for your health or weight loss (if that’s one of your goals).
People who eat breakfast have a smaller appetite during the day, make healthier food choices, and sleep better!
Plus, skipping breakfast (when compared to skipping dinner) hurts your body’s ability to control your blood sugar.
Not everybody has the time to whip up a protein-packed breakfast like eggs and avocado toast. Sometimes it is easier to make a liquid breakfast, like a protein shake.
Here are three protein-packed drinks to help jumpstart your day.
Vanilla Berry Protein Drink
Ingredients:
· 1 Scoop of Vanilla Whey Protein
· 1 Scoop of Crushed Ice
· 6 oz Pineapple Juice
· 1 Cup Mixed Berries
Whey protein can be found in your local grocery store. Make sure it’s 100% whey protein without unnecessary added ingredients. You can buy unflavored whey protein to use in a variety of recipes and simply add a ¼ tsp of vanilla to the blender when making this smoothie. Add all the ingredients into a blender and pulse until smooth and creamy.
**Note: if you’re allergic or sensitive to dairy, use Vegan protein. It won’t upset your stomach or cause headaches.
Yogurt & Berries Protein Smoothie
Ingredients:
· 1 container of Raspberry Yogurt - Greek, if possible, it has more protein
· 2 scoops of whey, or soy, protein powder
· 1 Cup strawberries
· 1 Cup blueberries
· 16 ounces of non-fat milk
· Crushed ice (1/2 cup)
Chocolate & Coffee Protein Smoothie
Ingredients:
· 2 scoops Chocolate flavored Protein powder
· 1 cup of skim milk
· ½ cup crushed ice
· 1 cup of water
· 1 scoop of instant coffee
Add all ingredients to a blender and pulse until smooth.
Chocolate Coffee Protein Shake (who doesn’t want to start their day out with chocolate and coffee!)
Blend all ingredients until smooth and enjoy.
It’s easy to start your day with a protein shake. You can also have your shake after your workout, within 90 minutes of finishing your workout to replenish the glycogen your body used during the workout. Muscle is made of protein, and lifting weights creates microscopic tears in the muscle fibers.
The protein shake is in liquid form, so your body doesn’t have to break it down. It goes right to repair the micro-tears, filling in those holes and repairing the muscle. This is what is necessary for muscle growth.
If you’re able to purchase a large container of whey or vegan protein you can create any number of your own recipes based on your favorite flavors. Peanut butter, banana, berries, flax seeds, and chia seeds all make great additions to your protein shakes. To your good health!
If you would like more protein recipes, be sure to download my Protein-Packed Breakfast Recipe Guide. Get your copy here: