Do you like the benefits of drinking your workout drink, but hate the taste? Here are some tips to make your daily drink something you’ll actually look forward to!
1. Make it LOOK Better
When you see how delicious something looks, you just want to eat it. That is why food advertisements and menu photos have such a huge impact on us. If you want to make your next drink taste better, try making it look more appealing to eat. Use a uniquely shaped glass or colorful milkshake straw. Add some toppings along the brim of the glass to give it some #foodporn flare.
The #proteinshakes hashtag on Instagram has over 100,000 posts. It may just be a placebo, but it gets you to drink it. Next time you make your own, try making it look good enough to drink.
2. Keep it Chilled
If you have just worked out or are soon planning to, you are going to need something to quench your thirst. Nothing is more refreshing than a nice ice cold drink. Use cold water when making your drink to get this effect. You can also chill it in the fridge or freezer to achieve its prime temperature for consumption.
Add a few ice cubes to keep it cool until the very end. Experiment with the temperature of your shakes to find what you enjoy best. You could even try it warm if you are feeling adventurous!
3. Dilute it
The strength of the flavor can be what puts many people off. You can add more water in order to tone down the strong flavors normally present. Adding less powder is another way to achieve the same result. You might also find that the smoother, thinner consistency of the drink makes it easier to drink.
Many recommend using 3/4th or even half of the normal powder measurement. It is up to you to find the perfect ratio of powder to water to make your shakes more delicious.
4. Use Milk Instead
Try using milk instead of your typical water in your shakes. The added milk can enhance the flavor as well as the consistency. Soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk and even yogurt can be used too. Flavored varieties of these will add to the improvement of the flavor. If you are lactose sensitive or intolerant, any lactose-free alternatives should also work.
If you are unsure about trying this tip, start by adding a little bit of milk to your normal recipe. If you like the result, continue adding more or swap it out completely.
5. Drink Your Favorite Flavor
Do you prefer chocolate or vanilla? If you like chocolate, look for a chocolate flavored drink mix to try. If you like, vanilla keep it simple with the classic. You can always add extras like chocolate syrups or vanilla extract to give an additional tasty kick. This tip allows you to even make a strawberry flavored drink with strawberry syrup.
Create medleys of your favorite flavors with different additives to your drink. Mix it up daily to wake up your taste buds and never get bored.
6. Make it Sweet
Adding sugar or other sweeteners can help your shakes more delicious, especially for those of us with a sweet tooth. Brown sugar or honey can be used as other options if you do not want to use normal table sugar. The right kind of stevia can be added for a healthier sweetener option.
Natural stevia will always be a healthier option than stevia that has been chemically processed. Just try not to go overboard with it and make it more sugar than the original powder! Making a drink that is overly sweet will lower the nutritional value of your shake.
7. Add Peanut Butter
Include a little bit of peanut butter in your mixture to up the tastiness. Peanut butter contains a lot of the nutrients we need. This is why it is an important ingredient used in Project Peanut Butter to fight extreme malnutrition. Whether you use a chocolate or vanilla flavored base, you will end up with peanut butter cup goodness! This simple addition will take the flavor to the next level. For an option that is lower in calories and fat, try it with peanut butter powder.
Peanut butter powder is just a powder made from peanuts that have been pressed to remove the oil and some fats. If you are conscious about the amount of oil or calories you consume, try this option instead.
8. DIY it
If you just can not seem to make it work with everything you have tried, why not make your own? The flexibility in controlling exactly which ingredients go into your drink gives you the freedom to make it just the way you like it! You can start with a base like dry milk powder, which is packed with many important essential nutrients.
If there are any nutrients that you tend to be low in, supplement them. For example, if you are low in iron, try adding iron-rich foods. Experiment with different ingredients for thickness, flavor, and texture until you find your perfect homemade powder drink mix!
9. Delicious Fruity Smoothie
If you are into smoothies, try putting a fruity spin on your next drink. Fruits like bananas are a popular choice that goes well with the normal flavor of the shakes. Using frozen bananas is a great way to add some flavor while keeping that classic smoothie texture. It is as simple as adding your favorite fruit combos from smoothie recipes. Strawberry banana smoothies become protein-packed strawberry banana shakes.
You can even add in some fresh veggies for an additional nutrition boost. Combining this tip with some of the others will give you a shake so good, you will be left wondering if it really is your workout drink at all.
10. Turn Your Shake into a CAKE!
Okay, maybe not a cake specifically. Adding the powder mix to your other homemade treats can be a clever way to sneak in the benefits that you need. The powder can be used in place of other ingredients in many baking recipes.
Try one-third cup of the powder for every cup of normal flour used. You can even try substituting only some of the flour until you get used to baking with the new powder. Using the powder in no-bake recipes may be a good way to start easing your way into this tip. Make sure that your recipe can take flour substitutes, then experiment to your heart’s content!
11. Add More Protein
If all else fails, you can rely on this final tip. Adding more protein and other nutrients to your recipe will increase its nutritional density. Making it more nutrient-rich means that you will need to drink less of it to get the same benefits. Find food that is high in the necessary nutrients to add to your mix. Some examples already mentioned are dry milk powder, various milk alternatives, and yogurt.
Nuts like almonds, pistachios, cashews and of course peanuts are also rich in these things. Oats are a healthy grain that is compatible and will also help you stay full longer. If you simply can not bear the flavor of your workout drink, load it up with nutrients and drink it in smaller doses.