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| 60 Best Protein shakes for Weight Loss |
REASONS PROTEIN SHAKES ARE GREAT FOR WEIGHT LOSS
A key ingredient of a healthy diet and lifestyle is protein, and it is, without a doubt, one of the cornerstones of the health and wellness industry. In fact, the sale of protein supplements in the UK has increased by 17.4%, according to The Financial Times. And for good reason. Protein has been scientifically proven to be a key factor in weight loss and getting into shape. Protein shakes are some of the most popular choices among the masses when it comes to losing weight. What is it that makes these protein shakes so beneficial to weight loss? Here are ten reasons why protein shakes are great for shedding those extra pounds. 
#1 - Protein Shakes Can Replace Carbs to Speed Up Weight Loss
Protein can be an alternative to carbohydrates. The difference is, carbohydrates give you an immediate energy boost, which allows you to work harder. Protein, on the other hand, takes time to be digested before it can give you energy, making it a better source for the long term. This slow burn helps a great deal in losing weight and in exercise plans. If you drink a protein shake a few hours before your workout, it’ll eliminate the need to consume carbohydrates during and/or after your workout..
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#2- Muscle Burns Calories and Protein Builds Muscle
Protein builds muscle, and the bigger your muscles, the more calories your body can burn. By consuming more protein, you’re giving your body what it needs to strengthen your muscles. Consistently drinking protein shakes will set your system into a cycle of continuously burning calories. Simply put, protein shakes give your body the fuel it needs to burn fat. .
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#3 - Protein Shakes Don’t Add to Your Waistline
When combined with rigorous exercise, protein allows many people to gain muscle weight. This type of weight gain often leads people to wrongly perceive protein as the cause behind the weight gain. Additionally, some protein shakes contain sugar and other flavourings to make them taste better. Some of these can be the equivalent of eating a chocolate bar for lunch. It’s these additives that lead to weight gain. But if you’re taking protein from a source which doesn’t contain these sugars or draws the flavor from natural sources, then the protein shake won’t add an inch to your waistline..
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#4 - Protein Shakes Aid The Slimming Process
Protein contains amino acids, like Leucine, which stimulate fatty acid oxidation and burn calories. When you include a protein shake in your diet, you can counteract the occasional cheat or missed workout. Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean that adding a protein shake to your daily eating regime means you can eat as much cake and ice cream as you want and skip the gym. Make sure your shake has enough of the good protein to counteract the slip up or missed workout..
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#5 - Protein Shakes Destroy Calories
Some protein—like whey protein—is thermogenic, meaning it burns a lot of the calories in your body, and gives you healthy, strong muscles. Burning off extra calories is essential for weight loss. Even health conscious people who are watching their caloric intake often consume hidden calories. Water and a salad is a healthy meal choice, but add a bit too much dressing, and suddenly your diet starts including hidden calories. A protein shake that consists of whey protein will help you avoid those hidden calories..
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#6 - Protein Shakes Can Help You Control Your Appetite
If you don’t feel full, you want to eat, no matter how much you’ve already eaten. It’s a battle against your mind that your stomach usually wins. The right protein can be the equalizer in this war. In fact, research shows that protein can bring down the levels of Ghrelin, the hormone that stimulates the sensation of hunger. Furthermore, protein like whey contains glycomacropeptide, which stimulates Cholecystokinin. Cholecystokinin is an intestinal hormone that is released after having meal, and it gives you the sensation that you are no longer hungry..
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#7 - Research Supports the Benefits of Protein Shakes
A number of studies show that protein shakes contribute to weight loss. In fact, people given supplemental protein lost “significantly” more fat mass and had a notable decrease in total and LDL cholesterol. Another study undertaken in 2006 showed that consuming 60 grams of whey protein long term (six months or more) instead of 60 grams of carbohydrates can lead to a significant reduction in body fat and overall weight..
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#8 - Protein Shakes are an Easy Way to Add the Right Protein to Your Diet
Protein shakes are a great way to add extra protein to your diet without the hassle of extra meal prep. There are plenty of excellent supplements and mixes available to fit the casual dieter wanting to lose a few pounds. There are also shakes that can help hardcore athletes in the middle of training..
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#9 - Protein Shakes Are A Healthy Convenience Food
One of the biggest obstacles to eating right is how much work it is compared to ready-in-an-instant processed food. Work, family, and other obligations can eat away at your time. So when lunch or dinner comes around, there’s a strong temptation to toss a frozen dinner in the microwave or swing through the drive-thru at the nearest fast food joint, rather than take the time to prepare a healthy meal. A protein shake can’t replace a balanced diet, but it can be a healthier alternative than reaching for convenience food. There are plenty of “just add water” mixes on the market. Instead of a bag of chips or greasy burger, grab a shake and drink to your health..
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Best Protein Shake Recipes for Weight Loss
Packed with essential nutrients that keep your skin, hair, bones and heart healthy, there’s virtually no prep work or cleanup with shakes. But not just any drink will do. Protein sips from local gyms and juice shops often carry more added sugar than a dozen donuts and the same holds true for some recipes you’ll find on the web. Sorry to say, slugging those back every day won’t get you any closer to your summer body goal.
To help you stay on track, we searched the web for the most mouth-watering weight loss shake recipes out there. Below, you’ll find something to satisfy every craving from refreshingly fruity to a milkshake-inspired dessert. Since we’ve taken care of finding the nutritional winners, all you have to do is pick a recipe, start up the blender and enjoy..
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1
Spinach Flax Protein Smoothie
SERVES: 1
NUTRITION: 231 calories, 8 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 23 g carbs, 9 g fiber, 11 f sugar, 19 g protein
PROTEIN SOURCE: Optional protein powder, flax meal, chia seeds
This is the spinach smoothie for people who don’t like spinach—but want to. Thanks to the addition of mango, pineapple and banana, you won’t even taste the leafy green—but you’ll still reap all of its health benefits. In fact, this drink serves up 33 percent of the day’s vitamin A—most of which comes from the leaves. The addition of chia seeds and flax provides four grams of satiating fiber so be sure to keep those in the mix if you’re looking to sip as much protein as possible.
Get the recipe from The Blonde Buckeye..
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2
Peanut Butter and Jelly Protein Smoothie
SERVES: 1
NUTRITION: 228 calories, 7.5 g fat, 1.3 g saturated fat, 23 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 11 g sugar, 16 g protein
PROTEIN SOURCE: Soy milk, peanut butter, and protein powder
If you’re a big fan of the classic childhood sandwich, you’ve got to give this recipe a try—it’s like sipping a little bit of salty-sweet heaven through a straw. Blending frozen berries with all-natural peanut butter, vanilla protein, rolled oats and soy milk helps create the protein-packed delicious taste—without tons of excess calories. If you’re not a fan of soy milk, feel free to sub in any type of unsweetened milk you prefer. It won’t alter the taste or nutrition profile much.
Get the recipe from Fit Foodie Finds.
3
Key Lime Pie Shake
SERVES: 1
NUTRITION: 212 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 17 g carbs, 0.7 g fiber, 7 g sugar, 42 g protein
PROTEIN SOURCE: Fat-free cottage cheese and protein powder
Key Lime pie may taste great, but with ingredients like heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, butter and sugar it’s anything but great for your waistline. This shake, on the other hand, is low in sugar and overflowing with 42 grams of muscle-building protein—that’s more than a day’s worth of the nutrient for someone who’s not very active and nearly half of what you’ll need if you’re a religious gym rat. We know the addition of cottage cheese may sound a bit strange, but that’s what gives this drink its satisfying milkshake-esque consistency. If you’re sensitive to dairy, swap in tofu to achieve the same texture. To keep your drink as healthy as possible, nix the pudding mix and xanthan gum—they only add calories and chemicals you don’t need.
Get the recipe from Dashing Dish.
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4
Sunrise Smoothie
SERVES: 1
NUTRITION: 209 calories, 1.8 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 42 g carbs, 6 g fiber, 28 g sugar 8 g protein
PROTEIN SOURCE: Greek yogurt
You’ll be whisked away on a mini mental-vacation the second you start sipping this tropical-tasting smoothie. Don’t let the high carb and sugar count scare you off; it’s coming from berries, an orange and banana—all vitamin- and fiber-rich produce that will keep you trim and healthy.
Get the recipe from Iowa Girl Eats..
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5
Skinny High Protein Oreo Milkshake
SERVES: 2
NUTRITION: 211 calories, 3.3 g fat, 0.9 g sat fat, 24 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 19 grams sugar, 19 grams protein
PROTEIN SOURCE: Cottage cheese, skim milk
Fat-free cottage cheese, skim milk, cookies, vanilla and a touch of Stevia team up to create a mouthwatering concoction that only tastes sinful. While it is a bit high in sugar, 13 grams are the naturally occurring variety from the dairy, so it won’t throw your diet off track. Although this drink shouldn’t be your everyday go-to—it does contain Oreos, after all—it’s an excellent alternative whenever a craving for something sweet strikes. Opting for this over a Dairy Queen Oreo Cookie Blizzard of the same size will save you 20 grams of fat and 48 grams of sugar!
Get the recipe from Honey and Figs Kitchen..
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6
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Shake
SERVES: 1
NUTRITION: 153 calories, 3.2 g fat, 0.9 g sat fat, 20 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 9 grams sugar, 13 grams protein (calculated with unsweetened almond milk)
PROTEIN SOURCE: Protein powder and optional Greek yogurt
This minty sweet shake allows you to enjoy the taste of Chocolate Peppermint Bark no matter what time of year it is—and without all the sugar and fat. It may taste like dessert, but thankfully, it doesn’t have the same waist-expanding effects. Top your drink with a dollop of Greek yogurt to take the presentation and protein count to the next level.
Get the recipe from Fit Foodie Finds..
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7
Coffee Banana Protein Smoothie
SERVES: 3
NUTRITION: 132 calories, 0.9 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 25 g carbs, 3.2 g fiber, 17 g sugar, 5.2 g protein
PROTEIN SOURCE: Greek yogurt
What do yogurt, bananas and coffee all have in common? They’re all delicious breakfast go-tos that join together to create this energy-boosting protein smoothie. The mix of caffeine, natural sugar and protein is ideal after a tough morning workout. If you’re looking for a bit more protein or a thicker texture, add a bit more yogurt or some 2% milk.
Get the recipe from Cookin’ Canuck..
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8
Almond Butter Protein Smoothie
SERVES: 1
NUTRITION: 280 calories, 14 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 39 g carbs, 9 g fiber, 17 g sugar, 7.5 g protein
PROTEIN SOURCE: Almond butter, chia seeds
Made with just four ingredients, this smoothie will take you no time at all to whip up. The almond milk and nut butter provide a solid hit of natural protein while the chia seeds lend a boost of antioxidants and heart-protecting omega-3s. Enjoy this as a healthy breakfast on the go or an afternoon snack. To kick your shake up a notch, add a few shakes of cinnamon. It will not only heighten the drink’s taste, but also zap stubborn belly fat and help stabilize your blood sugar, which can ward off diet-derailing cravings.
Get the recipe from The Roasted Root..
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9
Grape and Blueberry Protein Smoothie
SERVES: 1
NUTRITION: 320 calories, 9 g fat, 1.8 g saturated fat, 6.5 g fiber, 37 g sugar, 9 g protein
PROTEIN SOURCE: Cooked and cooled scrambled eggs
If you’re not big into the idea of using nutrition powders—or you’ve simply run of out your go-to—you’ll love this creative recipe. The blogger calls for a scrambled and blended egg in lieu of whey or plant protein, which is a fat-incinerating idea we totally love! The egg’s protein aids muscle recovery and the choline in the yolk fights fat cells to give you that lean look you crave. As an added bonus, the berries and grapes provide more than a day’s worth of vitamin C, which aids trim-down efforts further by warding off cortisol, a pesky stress hormone that triggers the storage of fat.
Get the recipe from The Roasted Root..
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10
Berry Oat Smoothie
SERVES: 2
NUTRITION: 280 calories, 4.9 g fat (2.3 g sat fat), 3.3 g fiber, 35.9 g sugar, 10.6 g protein
PROTEIN SOURCE: Milk, Greek yogurt
Sometimes you’re just not in the mood for oatmeal, no matter how good it is for you. This smoothie blends plenty of antioxidant-rich blueberries with oats to ensure you still get the benefits and stay full all the way through to lunchtime. Just make sure you’re using one of our 9 Best Yogurts for Weight Loss in your at-home version.
Get the recipe from Creme de la Crumb..
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11
French Toast Protein Shake
SERVES: 1
NUTRITION: 235 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 12 g carbs, 1.2 g fiber, 14 g sugar, 42 g protein
PROTEIN SOURCE: Fat-free cottage cheese and protein powder
The fresh French toast taste you love with a lot more protein and a fraction of the fat and calories—now that’s something worth waking up for! Though we love the idea of this shake, we’re not so keen on the recommended three to five packets of Stevia. Since the sweetener is so much sweeter than sugar, we suggest starting with two packets and slowly adding more if you think it’s needed. The less you can get away with using, the better.
Get the recipe from Dashing Dish..
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12
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Breakfast Shake
SERVES: 2
NUTRITION: 346 calories, 19.2 g fat (4.2 g sat fat), 7.8 g fiber, 19.9 g sugar, 11.1 g protein
PROTEIN SOURCE: Peanut butter
Frozen bananas and peanut butter team up to give this smoothie a rich, milkshake-like consistency that will make you think it’s sinful. When you use unsweetened almond milk, though, it’s packed with protein without sky-high sugar counts found in other smoothies.
Get the recipe from Cooking Classy..
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13
Raw Chocolate Smoothie
SERVES: 1
NUTRITION: 437 calories, 19.5 g fat (4.4 g sat fat), 11 g fiber, 34.7 g sugar, 12.4 g protein
PROTEIN SOURCE: Peanut butter
Raw cacao is different from that supermarket chocolate in two very important ways: it’s packed with powerful antioxidants and boasts a surprisingly high amount of fiber. Paired with a portioned amount of honey, it’s as sweet and indulgent as what you’re used to, except it’s actually good for you.
Get the recipe from Savory Simple..
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14
Blueberry Almond Butter Smoothie
SERVES: 2
NUTRITION: 585 calories, 37.8 g fat (4.1 g sat fat), 7.0 g fiber, 26.6 g sugar, 18.6 g protein
PROTEIN SOURCE: Almond butter, Greek yogurt
If you’re looking for meal-replacement smoothie, look no further. This one’s overflowing with protein from rich almond butter and antioxidants from frozen blueberries. With over 18 grams of protein and a hefty dose of fiber, cravings won’t come crawling back an hour later.
Get the recipe from Love and Olive Oil..
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15
Raw Banana Bread Shakes
SERVES: 4
NUTRITION: 307 calories, 20.2 g fat (2 g sat fat), 6.9 g fiber, 12.6 g sugar, 9.3 g protein
PROTEIN SOURCE: Walnuts
You’ll get all the warm, comforting flavor of the weekend breakfast staple without any of the flour or butter when you pick this smoothie. Plus, walnuts boast healthy omega-3s, protein and fiber to keep you satiated.
Get the recipe from The First Mess..
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16
Carrot Cake Smoothie
Yields 4 servings
PER 1 CUP SERVING (CALCULATED WITH NONFAT VANILLA GREEK YOGURT, 1/2 CUP OF COCONUT AND 1/2 CUP OF WALNUTS): 219 calories, 13 g fat, 4 g fiber, 11 g sugars, 10 g protein
PROTEIN SOURCE: Greek yogurt
This carrot-cake smoothie is rich in healthy fats: Polyunsaturated fatty acids, like those in walnuts, may increase diet-induced calorie burn and resting metabolic rate. And walnuts have more heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids than any other nut! Bonus: One cup of this smoothie provides a day’s worth of Vitamin A.
Get the recipe from Foxes Love Lemons..
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17
Peach & Oat Breakfast Smoothie
Yields 2 servings
PER 1.7 CUP SERVING (CALCULATED WITH NONFAT STRAWBERRY GREEK YOGURT AND UNSWEETENED ALMOND MILK): 263 calories, 3 g fat, 6 g fiber, 26 g sugars, 11 g protein
PROTEIN SOURCE: Greek yogurt
Frozen peaches, ripe banana, fiber-filled oats, almond milk and protein-packed Greek yogurt deliver a filling breakfast in just three minutes. With 11 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber, it’ll stave off the mid-morning hangries.
Get the recipe from Cooking Classy..
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18
Orange Julius Protein Smoothie
SERVES: 2
NUTRITION: 130 calories, 2 g fat, 15 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 8 g sugar, 16 g protein
PROTEIN SOURCE: Low fat cottage cheese (or Greek yogurt)
The mall rat’s favorite sugar bomb gets a healthy, protein-rich reboot. Cottage cheese (or Greek yogurt) provides a solid base of protein, and orange zest and juice impart sweetness and antioxidants without a surplus of sugar.
Get the recipe from Dashing Dish..
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19
Peanut Butter Cup
SERVES: 1
NUTRITION: 258 calories, 6 g fat, 21 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 30 g protein
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
1 scoop vanilla or chocolate plant-based protein powder
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
½ frozen banana
½ tbsp natural unsalted peanut butter
water to blend (optional)
1 scoop vanilla or chocolate plant-based protein powder
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
½ frozen banana
½ tbsp natural unsalted peanut butter
water to blend (optional)
See more great recipes in Zero Belly Smoothies!.
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20
Fresh Blueberry
SERVES: 1
NUTRITION: 232 calories, 6 g fat, 16 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 28 g protein
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
1 scoop vanilla plant-based protein powder
½ cup frozen blueberries
½ tbsp natural unsalted almond butter
water to blend (optional)
1 scoop vanilla plant-based protein powder
½ cup frozen blueberries
½ tbsp natural unsalted almond butter
water to blend (optional)
See more great recipes in Zero Belly Smoothies!.
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21
Green Monster
SERVES: 1
NUTRITION: 271 calories, 6 g fat, 40 g carbs, 8 g fiber, 15 g protein
¼ cup no-sugar-added apple juice
¼ cup water
½ scoop plant-based vanilla protein powder
½ Bosc pear, chopped
½ cup baby spinach, loosely packed
½ frozen banana
¼ ripe avocado
¼ cup water
½ scoop plant-based vanilla protein powder
½ Bosc pear, chopped
½ cup baby spinach, loosely packed
½ frozen banana
¼ ripe avocado
See more great recipes in Zero Belly Smoothies!.
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22
Vanilla Chai
SERVES: 1
NUTRITION: 219 calorie, 9 g fat, 20 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 17 g protein
¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
¼ cup chai tea (brewed from a teabag and chilled)
½ scoop plant-based vanilla protein powder
½ frozen banana
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tbsp unsalted natural almond butter
water to blend (optional)
¼ cup chai tea (brewed from a teabag and chilled)
½ scoop plant-based vanilla protein powder
½ frozen banana
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tbsp unsalted natural almond butter
water to blend (optional)
See more great recipes in Zero Belly Smoothies!.
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