How To Make Protein Shakes Taste Better?

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Nowadays, you can find a huge selection of flavors to choose from when picking up a new packet of protein powder, but no matter how fruity or exotic the flavor is, you’re still going to be able to recognize that underlying bland and fairly off-putting taste that can taste very unpleasant once it reaches your mouth.

If you don’t taste the rather unsavory flavor of the powder right away, you can guarantee that you will be able to smell it once it sticks to your bottle after a few uses, so while you might not worry too much about the taste of the shake at first when you’re more concerned with the effects of the protein, you still want to make it taste as pleasant as possible, especially since you’re probably going to be drinking it a lot during, or after each workout.

The good news is there are many ways you can make a protein shake taste even better so that you can look forward to it after a long and lengthy session at the gym.

Why Do Protein Shakes Taste So Bad?

One of the biggest reasons why protein shakes can taste so unpleasant is because many of them are packed full of artificial sweeteners or stevia which can end up giving the drink a much more bitter taste.

Many brands will use this in order to mask the fairly bland flavor of the protein powder, so even if sweeteners weren’t included, the taste is still going to be pretty offputting.

Artificial sweeteners like sucralose and saccharin are also known to leave a chemical aftertaste in the mouth after being consumed, which is something you’ve probably noticed if you have tried out a few different protein shake flavors for yourself.

The mesh count also matters a lot in regards to the taste because the higher the mesh count, the finer the powder will be when you come to drink it, otherwise it can become very ‘chalky’ and too thick, which will ruin the flavor entirely.

Best Ways To Make Protein Shakes Taste Better

Luckily, you don’t have to put up with your protein shake tasting bland or chemically for too long, simply try out a few of these tested methods and your shake will be tasting much more appetizing in no time.

Try Different Types Of Milk

If you’re someone who has been using water as your protein mixer in all of your shakes, then you will definitely want to try using milk instead since it will help to make the overall taste and texture a lot creamier and can stop the flavor of the protein from ever being too overpowering.

If you’ve already tried using milk and still aren’t having a great time with your shake, it can be worth trying some milk alternatives such as soy milk, coconut milk, or almond milk, which will all grant a slightly different taste to your post-workout beverage while also adding in an extra dose of protein and carbs.

Add In Some Flavor Enhancers

When we say flavor enhancers, we don’t mean artificial sweeteners, but more specifically natural ingredients that can help to add a hint of contrasting flavor to make the overall taste of the shake a lot more enjoyable on the taste buds.

Some examples of flavor enhancers include blueberries, banana pieces, or even some nut butter if you’re someone with a bit of a sweet tooth.

Fruits are especially effective as fruit enhancers, and while you can choose pretty much any ones that you like the taste of the most, some fruits that also happen to be very high in their protein content include mangoes, strawberries, pineapples, and melons.

Mix It Properly

Many of us are unfortunately all too familiar with clumpy protein shakes which occur when the powder and the mixer have not been shaken around for long enough, or when there is no mesh or wire whisk to break up the liquid so that it becomes edible.

A huge mistake that many beginners will make is only shaking the bottle for a few seconds, but this is almost guaranteed to make sure that the liquid comes out too thick and not only means that it will be unpleasant to drink but will also clog up your shaker, so making sure you shake correctly can save you a tremendous amount of time in the long run.

Once your lid is tightly sealed, shake the bottle for at least 20 seconds before you start drinking to make sure that all of the powder has been broken down once it travels through the sieve inside the bottle.

Keep It Chilled With Ice

There aren’t many drinks that taste worse than a protein shake that has been left by a window or out in the sun for over an hour.

Protein shakes that have been exposed to too much sunlight, or that have been sitting at room temperature for a little too long, will become warm, unpleasant, and a lot more clumpy and thick than usual.

If you don’t want to place the shake in the refrigerator, an easy way to cool the drink back down so that it becomes edible again is by simply adding a handful of ice cubes to the mixture.

After just a few minutes, your shake will be back to being completely smooth, and a lot more refreshing than it was before.

Prepare Using A Blender

Using a blender to prepare your shake rather than the bottle is a great way to ensure that it contains a smooth consistency, and is the perfect solution if you keep finding lumps in your bottle, even after thoroughly shaking it.

A blender also makes it easy to pop in any added ingredients or flavor enhancers which will blend into the mixture a lot more effectively, and you can even throw in some ice if you want the shake to be extra chilled once it’s ready to drink.

Summary

Rather than begrudgingly accepting the unpleasant flavor and clumpy texture of your protein shake, try out a few of these solutions to turn it into a refreshing boost of energy that you can either sip on after a workout or throughout the day to help keep you fit and active.