The Best Protein Shake for Every Health Goal

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A daily protein shake won’t harm you unless you have specific preexisting health issues. Even then, people with certain allergies or diabetes can monitor the ingredients and choose their shakes accordingly. If you drink a shake at the right time, along with regular exercise, and aren’t excessive, a protein shake is precisely that — extra protein, which is healthy for most people. What are the best protein shakes for every health goal?

1. Best Protein Shake for Weight Loss

Extra protein can be key to losing weight as it’s more satisfying than carbs or fats. It increases your body’s metabolism, which can burn calories and preserve lean muscle mass while burning extra fat. Good protein shakes stabilize blood sugar levels, meaning you won’t have the cravings associated with insulin spikes. Consider making and drinking a Green protein shake to lose extra weight.   

Weight Loss Protein Shake

Green protein shakes are a healthy, enjoyable way to lose weight. They’re also among the best protein shakes for diabetic people because of their low sugar content. Use the following ingredients.

• A scoop of vanilla or plain protein powder
• Half a cup of kale leaves
• A cup of fresh spinach leaves
• A tablespoon of chia seeds
• A small chopped green apple 
• Half a peeled avocado pear
• Half a ripe banana
• A few mint leaves
• A cup of your choice of milk
• A squeeze of lemon juice
• Ice cubes

Rinse the necessary ingredients and blend the kale and spinach with a bit of milk to smooth your shake’s texture. Add the apple, banana, avocado, chia seeds, mint and the remaining milk. Squeeze in your lemon juice. Blend again until smooth. Now throw in your ice blocks and blend once more. If your shake is still too thick, add some extra milk or water to reach the perfect consistency. After a final blend, pour the shake into a glass and enjoy it.

2. Best Protein Shake for a Healthy Pregnancy

If your significant other is pregnant, why not surprise her with a pregnancy protein shake? The best premade protein shake brands include powders that are perfect for pregnant women and are among the best protein shakes for women overall. This pregnancy protein shake provides extra iron, catering to iron deficiencies that are more common in women, especially during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Protein Shake

Dark leafy greens are excellent iron providers and contain vitamin K and other blood-building nutrients. Spirulina also helps your plant-based iron content, B vitamin levels, minerals and protein, while regulating your digestive function and gut health. Citrus fruits, mangoes and cherries are rich in vitamin C, which improves iron absorption. Use these ingredients when you fix your partner’s energy drink.

• A scoop of vanilla or sugar-free vegan whey protein powder
• A cup of frozen chunked mango or pitted cherries
• A cup of spinach or kale leaves
• A cup of frozen cauliflower or half a peeled avocado pear
• An orange and its zest applied separately
• Lemon or lime juice
• A teaspoon of high-grade spirulina
• A cup of milk, water or fresh orange juice of your choice

Avoid the cauliflower if you have a propensity for carbohydrate intolerance, which may contribute. Blend the ingredients until fine with some liquid, then add the whey protein powder and the remaining milk, water or juice. Continue blending until you have a smooth protein shake to pour into a glass and serve to your loved one. These ingredients also make one of the best vegan protein shakes around. 

3. Best Protein Shake for Muscle Gain

Are you looking to bulk up? To do so, you must regularly eat more calories than you burn — a concept you might have heard about from CICO dieters who use it to gain weight. An easy way to boost your calorie intake, in combination with exercise, is through smoothies and protein shakes with the right ingredients. A muscle gain protein shake with fat sources helps to boost your calorie content without excessive volume increases.

Muscle Gain Protein Shake 

Flax seeds and nut butters will help add fat to your muscle-gain protein shake, and using kefir with its many healthy benefits, or yogurt, instead of milk or water, provides additional protein and fat for muscle gain, especially if you’re active in sports or gym work. 

• A scoop of vanilla or plain protein powder
• A cup of whole milk kefir or full-fat yogurt
• A cup of fresh or frozen strawberries 
• A peeled ripe banana
• A quarter cup of oats
• A tablespoon of flax seeds
• Two tablespoons of peanuts, almonds, cashews, macadamias, walnuts or hazelnuts.

Blend the ingredients. Remember that kefir and yogurt’s consistency is thicker than milk or water, so be prepared to add some of the latter to achieve a puree consistency for perfect drinking pleasure. Add some ice blocks to the mixture if you prefer a colder energy smoothie. Good luck bulking up — it’s a goal to achieve that toned, muscular body, which is why this muscle gain smoothie is one of the best protein shakes for men. 

4. Best Protein Shake for Mental Wellness

Are you a berry lover? If so, you’ll likely enjoy the best protein shake for mental wellness and brain health. Berries contain antioxidants, fiber, minerals and vitamins that all play vital roles in improving mental wellness, and benefit you in other healthy ways. Cancer prevention, heart health and reducing inflammation are only some of these. Mental health studies link blueberries, strawberries and blackberries to mental health improvements, while the first two and cranberries positively impact brain health. 

Mental Wellness Protein Shake

Suffice it to say, this protein shake includes berries among its ingredients. The “superfood” qualities of blueberries, healthy fat and the high protein content of egg and nutrient-dense and cholesterol-lowering oats combine to improve your mental health and brain function. A mental wellness protein shake in the morning is an excellent start to a potentially taxing day. All the ingredients for this cranial performance-enhancing shake are:

• A scoop of your choice of protein powder
• A cup of almond milk or another type you enjoy
• Two tablespoons of almonds or other preferred nuts
• One beaten egg
• One small ripe banana
• A cup of blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, cranberries or a mixture as preferred
• A quarter cup of oats

Blend the egg with the protein powder, oats, nuts, and milk until smooth. Add the banana and blueberries to the mixture and blend some more until you have a smoothie fit for drinking. Pour the finished product into a glass and get ready to supplement your mental wellness. 

Protein Shakes Can Positively Affect Your Health Goals

All of the above recipes have the potential to help you reach your chosen health goals. Change up the ingredients for similar ones if they suit you better, but stick to their winning formulas to ensure more favorable results. Keep these protein shakes to one daily, and consult your dietitian if you experience any adverse effects. You shouldn’t unless you have allergies, as the wholesome, natural goodness of each ingredient far outweighs their potential for harm.