What I Drink Every Morning--Protein Shake Recipes

delicious protein shake recipes

I go through seasons of eating a lot of the same thing.  And then I get sick of it and move on to something else.  Not everyone loves the consistency, but for me I have found that the consistency helps me manage my weight because I know what I am putting in my body.  But from all the many seasons of trying different things, only one has proven that it's deliciousness is here for the long run.  That meal is my breakfast protein shake.

delicious soy protein powder from Whole Foods

I use Whole Food's Soy Chocolate Protein Powder (I am lactose intolerant but they have the same powder in whey as well) and it is deeee-licious!  I also have the vanilla but do not use it as much because it is not as tasty.  I will throw it into non-chocolatey shakes when I am in the mood. 

I choose protein shakes for breakfast because it is filling enough for me to get through a morning workout and seems to help clear me out of any morning digestive issues (sorry, TMI).  It is also really tasty so I look forward to it and rely on it's consistency for my body.

I also recently started adding a handful of spinach to all of my shakes.  You do not need to add it if you do not have any but it is an easy way to get some green in your diet without even tasting it.  My two year old nephew will even drink smoothies with spinach in it.

If I am not working out in the morning, I occasionally juice or have oatmeal but find that they do not fill me up as much, leaving me hungry mid morning.  Also by routinely eating the same thing for breakfast my body has gotten used to the consistency and I can rely on knowing how I will feel each morning.

That being said, here are my tried and true protein shake recipes!

Chocolate Banana Spinach Protein Shake (approximately 250 calories)
1 scoop of chocolate protein powder (or one serving based on your powder)
1/2 frozen banana (or just add more ice if banana is not frozen but I think frozen banana gives a thicker consistency)
1 handful of spinach
1 Tablespoon flax seed
3-5 ice cubes
1 cup water

Blend in a blender.

Chocolate Covered Fruit Protein Shake (approximately 250 calories)
1 scoop of chocolate protein powder (or one serving based on your powder)
1/2 cup of frozen mixed fruit (I prefer berries but will also take leftover mixed fruit and bag them up and freeze to use for this)
1 handful of spinach
1 Tablespoon flax seed
3-5 ice cubes
1 cup of water

Blend in a blender.

Peanut Butter Banana + Spinach Protein Shake (approximately 350 calories)*
1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder (or half a serving of your powder)
1 frozen banana
1 Tablespoon peanut butter
1 handful of spinach
1 Tablespoon of flax seed
3-5 ice cubes
1/2 cup of Almond Breeze original almond milk (40 calories/cup)

Blend in a blender.

*I sometimes have this as a snack without the protein powder for about 300 calories.