Protein shakes can be an excellent breakfast choice, but it depends on what you mean by a “protein shake.” Protein shakes can be very different things to different people. So, let’s break down what makes a protein shake a good breakfast.
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How to make a protein shake for breakfast
When you make a protein shake for breakfast, it needs to replace all of the nutrients and minerals that you would usually get in a typical breakfast meal. Rather than just mixing protein powder with water, you will need to add healthy sources of vitamins and minerals from things like fruit, vegetables, oats and seeds.
More than just protein powder and water
If your definition of a protein shake is merely mixing protein powder with some water, you won’t be adequately replacing vitamins and minerals.
One scoop of protein powder mixed with water is extremely low in calories. You can expect to consume just 110-150 calories dependent on the protein brand which you are using. This is not very much nourishment and can lead to some big hunger pains later on in the day as well as a general lack of energy.
Therefore, this type of protein shake cannot adequately replace all of the vitamins and minerals. The good thing is that there is more than one way to make a protein shake!
Healthy additions to your protein shake
One of the great things about protein shakes is that there are virtually unlimited ways to make one with all of the additions you can add in. You can easily put enough additions in your shake to not only replace the minerals and nutrients, but even to get a wider variety and a higher amount of nutrition.
Some of the most common additions for protein shakes are milk, oats, fruits (banana, apple slices, berries), vegetables (carrots, kale, spinach, arugula), peanut butter, flax seeds, and nuts. It is safe to say that a great breakfast shake with the above additions is actually superior to a typical breakfast.
The problem with traditional breakfast foods
One of the problems with many people’s breakfast is that they are very carb-heavy, mainly due to preparation ease. Cereal, muffins, and pancakes are commonly seen at the breakfast table. This makes protein the one macronutrient which seems to be lacking from most breakfasts. This problem is instantly fixed with a protein shake!
Plus, after you get the hang of it, making a protein shake with all the fixings is actually extremely fast, easy, and you can even take it with you on your way to work!
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FAQs about breakfast shakes
How much protein should I use in a breakfast shake?
Different brands will vary when it comes to protein content, but it’s safe to say that you can just use a scoop. If your total protein content is important, you could get away with using a little less than a scoop due to the protein in milk and oatmeal.
Can I just add a “water and protein” shake to my breakfast?
Absolutely. Suppose you are just trying to increase the protein content of your breakfast, but you also like the usual breakfast foods. In that case, you can use a drink of protein powder and water to wash down your blueberry pancakes!
How long do I need to blend the protein shake?
It won’t take long to blend a protein shake. The amount of time will vary widely, depending on what you use, but it shouldn’t be longer than 30 to 45 seconds after the items start mixing.
User comment about getting enough protein for breakfast
Protein Breakfast – How Much Protein Should You Consume?
Adding more protein into your regular breakfast is not only going to help to improve your overall calorie consumption, it will also help you lose weight in a relatively short period of time.
A recent study found that those who ate a good protein shake with at least twelve grams of protein during the day lost more fat and weight than those who were eating a low-protein shake.
Whey protein helps your body build muscle
The reason for this is simple: whey protein helps your body build muscle, which in turn burns up calories throughout the day. When your muscles are burning up calories throughout the day, your metabolism stays constant, which means you do not have to exert as much energy.
The way to consume your protein shake is simply to combine it with a meal. Some people prefer to have a protein shake with an egg in place of a meal because the protein will not be destroyed if the egg is left out. Others like to have a protein shake after their workouts so that they do not get bloated.
Good idea
It is a good idea to get a protein shake before going to bed, or when working out. This is to prevent your muscles from building too much heat. You should also make sure that you eat at least four eggs every day to keep your protein levels constant. A good way to make sure that you have all the protein needed is to take a multi-grain bagel or a fruit smoothie every day or two.