Do you want to increase your protein intake?

This protein smoothie recipe was created specifically for post-workout recovery.

It’ll help you build muscles, increase your protein intake and can be consumed while on a weight loss diet.

What Is A Protein Smoothie?

A protein smoothie is a regular smoothie with added protein by utilising a protein powder.

You can use other food sources of protein like nuts, seeds, yogurt to make your protein smoothie. But I prefer to use a protein powder to significantly increase the protein content.

This berry protein smoothie is tasty, colourful and a great post-workout drink. It can be made ahead of time or after your workout.

Are Protein Smoothies Good For You?

This Protein Smoothie is healthy and good for you. While it’s main source of protein is from plant protein powder, it’s still very nutritious and has anti-inflammatory properties from the blueberries.

Because this berry protein smoothie is high in protein and good carbs, it’s great as a pre-workout or post workout drink.

Also, since it’s high in protein, it’ll fill you up and contribute to weight loss if consumed while in a calorie deficit.

When Should You Make This Protein Smoothie?

Should you drink your protein smoothie before or after your workout?

Knowing when to drink your berry protein smoothie is important if you want to reap it’s benefits.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Pre-Workout Drink: This berry protein smoothie can be made as a pre-workout drink. Because it uses berries, it has enough quick releasing carbohydrates to work as an energy boosting drink before your workout.

• Post-Workout Drink: As it’s a protein smoothie your best bet is to drink this smoothie 1-2 hours after your workout. This will enable your muscles to receive the protein needed to initiate muscle protein synthesis for muscle growth.

Also, you can make this berry protein smoothie ahead of time by making it the night before and put it in the fridge. When you’re ready to have it the next day, you can just grab it after your workout. Viola!

Choosing The Best Protein Powder For Your Protein Smoothie

Many protein powders are made with similar ingredients and contain roughly the same amount of protein per scoop (20-29g).

For example, I use two different types of protein powders, whey protein powder and plant protein powder. These protein powders both taste good and digest quickly.

I can vouch for their quality because I have been using them for years. You won’t be disappointed if you choose any of the two or both.

Bare in mind, there are many forms of protein powders on the market that you can buy. The choices are endless because there’re so many good protein powders to pick from.

Here’s a list of really good protein powders to buy..

• Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein Powder (24g / scoop)
• Optimum Nutrition Plant Protein Powder (24g / scoop)
• Vivo Life Perform – Raw Vegan Protein Powder (20g / scoop)
• My Protein Impact Whey Protein Powder (20g / scoop)

The protein powders mentioned are really the best tasting protein powders I have ever tried. Choose one that resonates with your lifestyle and see if you like it.

Also, another important reason to use protein powder is because it contains a very important amino acid profile for initiating muscle protein synthesis.

Let me explain!

Protein Smoothie For Muscle Gain

Many protein powders contain a group of three essential amino acids called BCAAs. BCAAs are known as Branched-Chain Amino Acid and consists of leucine, isoleucine and valine.

Leucine, one of the BCAAs plays a key role in boosting muscle growth and reducing fatigue after exercise. To adequately initiate protein muscle produce, you’ll need to consume about 3g of Leucine per day.

Using protein powder in your protein smoothie gives you a better chance of getting your leucine threshold for the day and promotes faster muscle growth.

Also, using a protein powder is an effective way to increase your protein intake. And 1 scoop of the optimum nutrition plant protein powder will give you the 4g of BCAAs you need to initiate muscle growth after your workout.

If you’d like to know more about the role BCAAs play in muscle protein synthesis, read more on NCBI.

Berry Protein Smoothie Ingredients

• Blueberries: Blueberries are great for a post-workout drink because they contain inti-inflammatory properties. It’ll help you reduce muscle soreness after your workout.

• Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt is another decent source of protein. It adds creaminess and thickness to this protein smoothie.

• Skimmed milk: Skimmed milk is used in this protein smoothie because of it’s additional protein content and it makes this smoothie taste better.

• Plant Protein Powder: This Optimum Nutrition plant protein powder is the main source of protein in this smoothie. With a whopping 32g of overall protein, it makes this smoothie the best protein smoothie for muscle gain.

This post contains affiliate links to products on amazon. This means I will make a small commission if you purchase through the links of products listed in this post. These products are recommended because I personally use and trust them.

Conclusion

This protein smoothie will make your regular smoothie more exciting and you’ll also increase your daily protein intake.

If you like this berry smoothie, you can add either 1scoop or half a scoop of your preferred protein powder to make it the perfect post-workout smoothie.

Will you be making this berry protein smoothie after your workout?

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