Rich in essential fatty acids and protein, adding almond milk to your homemade protein shake is a healthful way to boost calcium content and nutritional value. Made of ground almonds and water, almond milk contains no lactose, making it a popular vegetarian and vegan alternative to dairy milk. A great way to refuel post-workout, or as a healthy snack between meals, protein shakes made with almond milk can pack a powerful nutritional punch.
Easy Recipes: Protein Shakes Using Almond Milk
Before you fill up your grocery cart with the ingredients in the recipes that follow, you'll need to make sure you've got a sturdy blender on hand. Additionally, the recipes call for whey protein powder, which is readily available at any health food store or grocer.
Mango Madness
Rich in vitamin A, mangoes are also a great source of vitamin C and iron. Use frozen or fresh mangoes for this recipe. If you're using fresh fruit, add one cup of ice cubes.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups frozen mangoes
- 1 serving (30 grams) protein powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar
- 1 1/2 cups vanilla-flavored almond milk
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
Blend all of the ingredients for about two minutes, until you get a smooth consistency. Enjoy immediately.
(Shake contains 24.5 grams of protein per serving.)
Blueberry Almond Shake
Chock-full of antioxidants, blueberries and almonds are a dynamic and delicious duo.
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk
- 3/4 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 serving (30 grams) whey protein powder
Instructions
Blend all of the ingredients for about two minutes, until consistency is smooth.
(Shake contains 25 grams of protein per serving.)
Almond Oatmeal Protein Shake
Old-fashioned oatmeal provides a fiber-rich component to this protein shake.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked oatmeal, cooled
- 1 serving (30 grams) vanilla whey protein powder
- 12 ounces almond milk
- 2 tablespoons chopped almonds
- 1/8 cup maple syrup
- 3 dashes of cinnamon
Instructions
Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend until you get a thick, but foamy consistency (about two minutes). Serve immediately.
(Shake contains 29.5 grams of protein per serving.)
Blackberry Raspberry Protein Shake
These potassium-rich berries are also rich in protein. Blackberries contain two grams of protein per cup, while raspberries contain about 1.5 grams protein in a cup.
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 cup frozen blackberries and raspberries
- 1 tablespoon walnut oil
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar
- 1 serving (30 grams) whey protein powder
Instructions
Blend all of the ingredients until smooth and creamy. Bottoms up!
(Shake contains 27.5 grams of protein per serving.)
Choco Banana Protein Shake
Indulge in the classic pairing of chocolate and bananas.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 banana
- 1 tablespoon walnut oil
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar
- 1 serving (30 grams) whey protein powder
Instructions
Blend all of the ingredients until you get a smooth and creamy consistency. Enjoy immediately.
(Shake contains 25.3 grams of protein per serving.)
Almond Milk: A Great Alternative for Protein Smoothies
A glass of almond milk is loaded with as much calcium as one serving of vitamin D milk. In addition, almond milk boasts a high nutritional scorecard compared to its vitamin D counterpart, which contains four times as many calories and almost three times as much fat per serving.
One 8-ounce serving of unsweetened almond milk contains:
- 40 calories
- 3 grams fat
- 2 grams carbohydrates
- 1 gram protein
- 20% of the recommended daily value of calcium
Enjoy almond milk in smoothies and protein shakes without the saturated fat or cholesterol of dairy. Low in carb and calorie content, almond milk is also safe for those who are lactose intolerant since it lacks casein. Whether your protein-shake regimen is meant for weight control, muscle gain, or both, incorporating almond milk can be a healthful and delicious way to mix it up.
