The most common choice for a liquid to mix protein powder with is water. Of course, there are other options like milk and juice, but they often increase the total calories of your protein shake and if you are aiming to cut weight that is not always optimal.
Table of Contents
Mix protein powder with milk when bulking up
When you are aiming to gain weight, adding a few extra calories can play a big role in reaching your daily calorie goal. Adding whole milk to your protein shake will increase the overall calories by around 120.
Besides cow’s milk, you can also mix almond, soy or coconut milk can with your protein powder. These milk alternatives contain fewer calories than whole cow’s milk, but offer a variety of vitamins and minerals.
Drinking protein with milk gives it a denser taste, which some people prefer. Vitamin D is not found in many foods and drinks, but a lot of milk is fortified with it. Another benefit is that one cup of milk provides up to 30% of your calcium needs for the day.
When it’s best to mix protein powder with water
If you are trying to lose weight, the best idea is to mix protein powder with water as it adds no calories to your shake. The nutritional value remains the same as the information you read on the label of your protein powder. If you are cutting down weight, you should also make sure to check whether your protein powder is low in sugar.
When consuming protein shakes with water, do not use boiling hot water as it may make it harder to dissolve the protein powder, leaving lumps in your shake.
Mixing protein powder with fruit juice
Protein powder lacks vitamins and minerals, as well as unrefined sugars that are great for your body in the morning or post-workout. Adding fruits to a protein smoothie, or simply mixing your protein powder with juice can give you the little boost your body needs in terms of calories and micronutrients.
You can mix almost any type of juice with protein powder. Orange juice is ideal to mix with unflavored or vanilla protein, whereas chocolate or cocoa-based protein flavors mix well with bananas.
Which is the best juice to mix with protein powder for muscle growth?
Orange juice contains a lot of vitamin C and is great for the immune system, which helps to be able to sustain your body through hard workouts, as intense exercise might weaken it over time. Pomegranate juice, as well as cranberry and grape juice are good candidates as well.
Is it okay to drink protein smoothies when trying to lose weight?
You should only drink protein smoothies if you are also working out, otherwise they will not help you lose weight and are more likely to have the opposite effect. Depending on the fruit you add, some smoothies might actually contain very high amounts of unrefined sugar and be a killer for weight loss.
On the other hand, fruits like grapefruit and apples can help you lose fat. They are a good source of fiber and vitamins and can be added to your protein shakes.
User comment about mixing protein powder with juice
Reasons Why I Mix Protein Powder With Juice
There are many different reasons as to why I prefer to use a protein powder with juice. When I first started to use protein powder with juice, I found that it was very difficult to get used to. The taste of the powder itself was really awful, and I found that it took some time for me to adjust to the taste. After a while I realized that it was only by giving it a chance that I was able to get used to the taste, and once I did, I was very happy with the results.
Another reason why I like to use a protein powder with juice is because you do not have to make a huge mess of your blender when you are taking the supplement. When you are just starting out with the supplements, it is very easy to lose your stuff. When you are mixing your protein powder and juice, you can simply pour it into a clean glass bottle and it will not look too odd. This makes it much easier for you to get your protein powder and juice in the morning on your way to work.
One last reason as to why I mix protein powder with juice, is because it helps to make the entire process much faster. It is very easy for most people to have a large protein shake after they workout, but if you are trying to recover quickly, then it may be hard for you to take a large protein shake. By mixing your protein powder with juice, you can speed up the recovery process and give your body more time to heal before working out again. In addition to speeding up the recovery process, protein powder with juice also gives your body more energy.