What should you not mix with protein powder? (2024)

FAQs

What should you not mix with protein powder? ›

Artificial Sweeteners, Flavors, and Colors.

Artificial sweeteners, like sucralose, can damage gut health, while artificial colors and other artificial food additives can cause respiratory problems and irritability.

However, when you consume protein with milk, it adds up to 8-10 grams more protein to a serving and this extra protein slows down the digestion. When you mix protein with milk, it coagulates the shake and makes whey protein to stay long which makes it slow to digest with a constant supply of amino acid to the body.

If you like thick, creamy shakes, mixing your protein powder with milk is a great option. However, if you're not a fan of textures, and prefer a lighter, thinner consistency, using water may be the better choice for you. While we're talking about flavors, be sure to check your protein flavor as well.

If you're looking to add more nutrition to your chocolate protein shakes, combining the rich flavor with fresh fruits is a delicious way to do it. Not only does fruit provide important vitamins, minerals, and fiber, but it can also enhance the tasty chocolate flavors.

More specifically, cooking or heating protein powder at or above 160 degrees Fahrenheit is when whey starts to break down, according to research published in the Journal of Dairy Research.

Protein powders are generally recognized as safe, although you may experience digestive side effects if you consume large amounts of protein powder. If you're lactose intolerant or otherwise sensitive to lactose, dairy-based protein powder may lead to stomach upset, bloating, and gas.

High doses can cause some side effects such as increased bowel movements, acne, nausea, thirst, bloating, reduced appetite, tiredness, and headache.

It is safe to drink protein shakes every day, but be sure to obtain the majority of your protein and other foods from whole food sources. Without whole food sources, you'll be missing out on other valuable nutrients that are vital for health and supporting your workout performance and recovery.

How many scoops of protein powder a day? ›

The number of scoops of protein powder you should take to gain muscle depends on your needs and goals. As a general guideline, it's recommended to consume 1-2 scoops of protein powder per day, combined with a balanced diet and exercise program, to support muscle growth and recovery.

Curious what to mix protein powder with besides water? Well, just about any beverage will do. Experiment and find your favorite! Any kind of milk – dairy or non-dairy – is a great option, and the type of milk you choose can potentially add more protein to your daily shake.

The addition of real milk powder may lead to bloating, constipation and probably dysentery because of it's high lactose and sugar level. Don't add ingredients such as soy protein which contains chemical compounds that can lead to hormonal disturbance in some people. Avoid mixing vegetable oils that contain trans fats.

Water: The Easiest Choice

It lets the flavor of your protein powder shine without adding extra calories or changing the taste. To make water-based shakes taste better and feel different, try adding crushed ice for a cool twist or spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for flavor without adding calories.

Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is our top pick for the best overall protein powder for weight loss. One serving packs in 28 grams of high-quality protein without a lot of fat or carbs and 150 calories or less, depending on which of the 14 flavors you use.

Or blend it with milk, fruit, greens, nut butter, or other fun additions, and it's an anytime snack or meal replacement. (And a delicious one at that.) But this supplement isn't only for liquids. You can also use it to make a variety of dishes, from muffins and cupcakes to burgers, lasagna, dips, doughnuts, and more!