How To Make Protein Shakes Taste Better?

If you’re a seasoned supplement user, you’ll know all too well how some supplements are better than others.

This not only goes for overall quality and effectiveness but also taste as well. This is why we’re looking at how to make protein shakes taste better.

Protein is a macronutrient needed by the body for the growth and repair of muscle tissue.

Not only does protein help the body to build muscle, but it also assists with muscular recovery after a tough workout.

Now, most people think of protein in terms of meat, fish, egg whites, and dairy.

While these are all great sources of this macro, protein powder supplements are also ideal for ensuring you hit your daily macro targets for protein intake.

Now, if you’re familiar with protein supplements, you’ll know that, as far as taste is concerned, they most certainly are not all created equal.

Some protein powders taste great, some taste average, some are a bit bland, and some are downright disgusting.

If you use protein powders but are looking for ways of improving the taste, this is the article for you.

Here’s a look at how to make protein shakes taste better.

What Can Make Protein Shakes Taste Bad?

Before we can look at what you can do to improve the overall taste of your protein powders, we’re going to delve a little bit deeper and take a look at why some protein shakes taste so bad in the first place.

Here’s a look at just a few reasons why some protein shakes taste so awful, whereas others taste fantastic.

Manufacturer

First and foremost, one of the most common reasons why protein powders taste so different from product to product is down to the manufacturer.

Different manufacturers will have different blends, different recipes, different ingredients, and different ratios of ingredients, all of which will greatly affect the way that the product tastes.

One of the main reasons why cheaper protein powders from unknown manufacturers taste so bland and sometimes, so unpleasant, is down to the fact that they tend to use poor-quality filler ingredients, rather than quality expensive protein powders that taste better.

They’ll use cheap artificial flavorings rather than quality flavorings from natural ingredients.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, some reputable companies will use the right amounts of quality flavorings, and use fewer filler ingredients which can leave a bitter taste in the mouth.

Put simply, if a company has a bad reputation, or is new and trying to cut corners to save money, chances are their protein shakes are going to taste worse than those offered by a reputable supplement company.

Ratio Of Ingredients

Another one of the main reasons why some protein powders can taste so bad is down to the ratio of ingredients.

It’s all well and good adding sweeteners and fruity flavorings to a protein powder, but if you aren’t adding enough, or even if you are adding too much, this can leave an unpleasant taste in your mouth and can affect the taste of the shakes.

Some companies will try to save money on ingredients and cut corners when developing their protein supplements, resulting in them not using enough, and thereby having the shakes lacking sweetness and flavor.

It is also possible to make a protein supplement too sweet, which can be just as bad as having a shake lacking sweetness and flavor.

Some inexperienced supplement companies will try to make their products too sweet to try to tempt more people into buying their products, when in reality the finished product is simply far too sweet.

Poor Quality Ingredients

We’ve touched upon this already, but just so there is no confusion, the quality of the ingredients used in a protein supplement can influence how the finished product tastes.

If you were to make a fancy dish in the kitchen and use cheap, frozen, processed ingredients rather than fresh, natural, flavorsome ingredients, the finished product wouldn’t taste great.

So then, what makes you think that protein powders made with poor-quality ingredients will taste good?

If you can source a supplement that uses high-quality ingredients, instead of cheap filler ingredients, you’re already onto a winner.

Bad Batches

Though the likelihood of this happening in this day and age, when health and safety are taken so seriously, and when the FDA regulates so many supplement companies, it is possible that a batch of protein powders could potentially have turned bad.

Whether down to cross-contamination, oxidation, or anything else, this could result in the protein powder turning rancid and going bad.

In particular, if the protein powder contains milk, dairy, fats, or ingredients containing fats, they could potentially oxidize, just as they would in the refrigerator, and turn bad.

If a supplement has indeed turned bad, not only can this potentially make it taste disgusting, but it could also be dangerous and bad for your health.

Lack of Sweeteners And/or Flavorings

Another possible reason why a protein supplement could taste bad is down to the fact that it could have been developed with a lack of sweeteners and/or flavorings.

You can buy protein powders from supplement manufacturers that are sold as being flavorless and/or unsweetened.

This helps to make them more affordable for customers and manufacturers because fewer ingredients are needed.

While flavorless protein powders can still be high in quality, one of the main downsides is the taste.

An unflavored/unsweetened protein shake will likely taste bitter and difficult to enjoy. You can, however, mix them with a variety of different things, as we’ll be looking at later.

Using Too Much

One possible reason why your protein shake tastes so bad could simply be down to the fact that you are using too much powder per serving.

Some people seem to think that they know best when it comes to serving sizes and will ignore the recommended serving suggestion on the packaging and will add twice as much.

Their logic is that more is better. The human body can only process a certain amount of protein at once, which means that too much will simply be a waste as your body will be unable to use it.

Using too much liquid, or not enough, can also affect the taste.

Too much water, for example, could result in the protein tasting weak.

Too little, and the shake could taste too strong and be unbearably sweet.

Put very simply, when it comes to protein supplements, always read the instructions and use them as the manufacturers recommend.

The Type of Protein

Not all protein powders are the same as each other, and while most generally taste okay, the type of protein powder it is will ultimately affect how the shake tastes.

For example, a good quality whey protein isolate powder will likely have a much better taste than a cheap pea protein powder.

In truth, it isn’t just the quality of the protein that is to blame. Sometimes it’s simply the type.

Pea protein, for example, has an earthy taste while brown rice protein has a nutty taste. If you like these kinds of flavors then that’s all well and good, but if you like a sweet and fruity flavor, you likely won’t enjoy them as much.

Poor Texture

Finally, though this is not always the case, sometimes you’ll find that it’s the texture of a protein powder that is to blame for its bad taste, rather than the flavor itself.

Some cheap protein powders, or indeed, plant-based ones such as hemp protein, brown rice protein, or pea protein, can have a grainy, chalky, thick texture that is not pleasant on the human palate.

If you find that a protein powder is too thick, lumpy, or chalky, consider investing in a better shaker cup, or even a blender.

How To Make Protein Shakes Taste Better?

Right. We’ve looked at things that can affect the overall taste and texture of a protein shake, but now it’s time to take affirmative action and look for ways of making protein shakes taste better.

If you’re trying to get more protein daily, but are finding that your current protein powders are unpleasant, or even making you feel unwell, this next section is for you.

Here’s a look at several tips based on how to improve the taste of protein shakes.

Mix with Milk or a Milk Alternative

When it comes to improving the overall taste of a protein powder, one of the simplest tips you can follow is to simply mix it with milk, or a milk alternative such as almond milk or coconut milk, instead of water.

Mixing a protein shake with milk will give the shake a richer, sweeter, creamier texture.

Mixing with milk will slow the absorption rate of the protein down, so post-workout, when you need protein the most, it is worth mixing with water.

For your other shakes, however, if you want a richer and creamier, texture, mix your protein powder with milk or a milk alternative.

Just be aware that milk, coconut milk, and some almond milk will contain more calories than water, so this could affect weight loss.

Blend With Ice

One of the most common complaints that people have with regards to their protein shakes tasting bad, is the fact that they’re too thick and lumpy.

If you find that this is a problem for you, it could be your shaker cup that’s to blame.

Whereas good quality protein powders will dissolve and mix well in water, some products won’t mix well and will stay lumpy and chalky, even after giving a good shake in your shaker cup.

The solution to lumpy and chalky protein shakes is to simply use a blender or food processor and blend your protein shake with your chosen liquid, and ice.

This will help give the shake a nice smooth texture.

Not only that, but it will also help make it easier to digest.

For a creamy, milkshake-style protein shake, try blending with ice and milk.

Again, be aware of the added calories found in milk. Also, be aware that milk will slow the rate of absorption of the protein itself.

Mix Into A Smoothie

When you need a quick protein fix and you can’t be bothered to mess around prepping ingredients, washing pots, and so on, a simple scoop of protein powder mixed with water will suffice.

If, however, you’re looking for a way of improving the taste of your shake, try mixing it into a smoothie instead.

By mixing your protein powder into a smoothie, you can add extra ingredients to the mixture to help enhance the taste, not to mention boost the nutritional profile of your beverage as well.

If you want a fruitier taste, you can go ahead and add fresh, frozen, or a combination of both types of fruit.

You can also add things like oats for a creamy texture, nut butter, seeds, spinach leaves, greens, and other ingredients that help boost the flavor of the shake.

You could also add things like Greek yogurt, as this will give a smooth and creamy texture, while also enhancing the protein content and providing plenty of stomach-healthy probiotics and good bacteria in the process.

By mixing a protein powder into a smoothie, you can disguise the taste and add more flavors from ingredients that you enjoy.

Opt For A Flavored Protein Shake

As mentioned, virtually every kind of protein shake or protein powder supplement is also available as unflavored, as a way of keeping costs down.

If you don’t mind this then that’s fine, but they can be bitter and chalky.

If you normally get unflavored and/or unsweetened protein powders but have found that you simply cannot tolerate the taste any longer, why not opt for a flavored protein powder instead?

Protein powder supplements come in a variety of different flavors, meaning that you’ll find it much easier to find one that you at least find somewhat enjoyable and palatable.

Whether it’s strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, cookies and cream, raspberry ripple, mint chocolate, chocolate fudge brownie, birthday cake, banana, or anything else, a flavored protein powder could be exactly what you need to make.

Mix With Nut Butter

In terms of how to make a protein shake taste better, another very useful tip for anybody looking to enhance the overall taste of their shakes is to mix them with nut butter.

Nut butter such as peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew nut butter, are a great way to make your shakes taste creamier, richer, and smoother as well.

On top of that, they’re also a great way to boost the protein content of them and consume some healthy fats in the process.

When using nut butter, avoid cheap nut butter with added fats, sugar, salts, oils, and other ingredients.

Ideally, you want a nut butter made from 100% nuts, with nothing added, and nothing taken away.

Blend With Avocados

Another top tip for a rich, creamy, and heart-healthy protein shake packed full of healthy fats, potassium, vitamins, and minerals, is to blend a protein shake with ripe avocado.

Avocados, which are also known as ‘nature’s butter’ are packed full of healthy fats and offer a rich and creamy texture that makes the shakes smooth and creamy themselves.

Even though these fruits, and yes, avocados are fruit, don’t have a strong taste, you should ideally look for a protein powder in a flavor that compliments the avocados.

Choose A Flavor You Enjoy

Finally, if you want to ensure that you enjoy the taste of your protein shake, make sure you choose a flavor you enjoy.

If for example, you dislike the taste of chocolate but buy chocolate whey protein concentrate because it is cheaper, don’t be surprised if you don’t enjoy the flavor.

If you enjoy fruity flavors, make sure you buy protein shakes that have a fruity flavor. If you enjoy chocolate flavors, opt for chocolaty flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Before we wrap things up today, let’s finish off with a few common FAQs regarding the flavor of protein powders.

Conclusion:

With that, our look at how to make protein shakes taste better comes to a close.

We hope that you’ve found the info above useful, insightful, and entertaining.

If so, then be sure to follow what we’ve said and see if you can improve the taste of your protein supplements, without spending a fortune in the process.

Protein supplements offer a wide range of benefits, and if used alongside a healthy diet and smart exercise regime, can help you to improve your physique and your recovery.

If you dislike the taste of your protein supplements, the tips listed above should help.