Incoming! A delicious way to add protein to your day! My blueberry protein shake has almond milk, Greek yogurt, and vanilla protein powder. This post will show you how to make it in just 5 minutes. Enjoy!
Eating protein is an awesome way to start the day off right. It’s also a way to perk you up mid-day...and eating a serving of protein is a must after a workout to help you build muscle. And when you combine protein with extra tasty flavors like honey and blueberries, it’s a great way to get an extra serving of this essential nutrient.
A blueberry protein shake is thick and refreshing. It’s satisfying and so flavorful, too! One thing I really like about this shake (I’m a lover of shakes and smoothies!) is that it has minimal ingredients, yet really packs a lot of nutrition into one serving. We’re talking 31 grams of protein in one shake!
I’ve got a few posts on the site about protein and how important it is. That’s why this easy, yet super healthy shake post is a good one to refer to every time you need a protein boost – and a revitalizing snack. Let's learn how to make it!
Why Is Protein Important?
Eating protein is important in that it is constantly needed by the body. Your body uses the protein it takes in (protein isn’t stored) to give you healthy skin, organs, and muscles. Good protein sources are lean beef, tofu, nuts, and poultry. Did you know that protein is just one of the 3 macronutrients needed to give you a well-rounded diet and make you healthy?
Here they are listed together...
Fat: it’s important and keeps you satisfied
Protein: helps repair and improve muscles
Carbs: give you energy
Is A Blueberry Protein Shake Healthy?
This blueberry protein shake has full-fat Greek yogurt, almond milk, and protein powder as its protein sources. It’s really nutritious! And it all comes down to simple, mindful ingredients....
Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt has a ton of benefits. It’s got potassium and iodine, and of course, the calcium it contains is great for the bones and teeth. Greek yogurt has probiotics as well, which are good for the digestive system.
Almond milk: Almond milk is low in sugar (always use the unsweetened version) and has healthy fats because of the almonds. Vitamin E in the almond milk serves as an important antioxidant, too.
Protein powder: I’m a HUGE fan of protein powder and that's why we created cleanish Plant-Based Protein Powder. It's got 20 grams of the best quality protein in every single scoop. Adding it to recipes for extra nutrition is smart. It helps to fill you up and ensures you are getting what you need to build muscles and keep in good health. You can also mix it with water as a quick protein boosted drink.
Want to know more? Take a look at these posts on protein...
- The 4 Best Protein Powders and How to Choose a Good One
- Pea Protein vs Whey Protein: Which is Better?
- 9 Awesome Benefits of Pea Protein + Why It’s Quickly Becoming My Favorite Protein
- Ultimate Guide to The Best Vegan Protein Substitutes
What Is In This Blueberry Protein Shake?
This blueberry protein shake has all the healthy stuff you need to make a delicious and thick shake:
- ¾ cup of unsweetened almond milk (or milk of your choice!)
- ½ cup of full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
- ¾ cup of frozen blueberries for a fabulous fruity shake
- 3-4 ice cubes (more if you want a thicker texture)
- 1 teaspoon of raw honey is optional for sweetness
What Are The Best Fruits To Put In A Protein Shake?
I love protein shakes with just about any kind of fruit! Bananas add a nice sweetness and can thicken a shake well. But not everyone likes bananas, so I recently wrote a post on how to thicken smoothies without bananas<--really!
Other fruits to try:
- Melon
- Pineapple
- Strawberries
- Mangoes
- Raspberries
- Veggies like avocado and kale work too!
Do Protein Shakes Make You Gain Weight?
Protein shakes per se do not make you gain weight. However, if you are adding protein shakes to your day but not exercising or following a healthy diet in general, you can gain weight. Adding too much protein without exercise can add too many calories to a sedentary lifestyle.
If you rely just on protein powder as your protein source, you could also gain weight. Why is this? The fiber you find in seeds, beans, nuts, and quinoa is essential to a healthy digestive system that operates correctly. If you lack the fiber to keep digestive processes going, you may add on pounds.
Are Smoothies And Shakes Better With Milk Or Water?
If you are looking for flavor and taste in your shakes and smoothies (try these make ahead smoothies), milk is always best. Some people on a calorie deficit eating plan who want to lose weight may opt for plain water. Coconut water gives you a boost of potassium and has just 46 calories per cup so can be a good option if plain water isn't your thing.
But really, milk is the way to go. I like almond milk because it has a great texture, is naturally lactose-free, and provides vitamins A and D. Other options are cashew milk and oat milk. Coconut milk works as well but does have 552 calories per cup. So, if you are using coconut milk, make sure you get your steps in every day!
More Protein Shake Recipes
Once you try the Blueberry Protein Shake, you’ll be ready to try another flavor, and then another! Luckily, I’ve got a few recipes on the site.
- Peach Protein Shake
- Banana Protein Shake
- Chocolate, Banana, Peanut Butter Protein Shake
- Orange Protein Shake
- Strawberry Protein Shake
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Protein Shake
This post contains affiliate links to products I use regularly and highly recommend.
Blueberry Protein Shake
Equipment
*This post may contain affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
- ½ cup full fat greek yogurt
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder I recommend this protein
- ¾ cup frozen blueberries
- 3-4 ice cubes as needed for thicker texture
- 1 teaspoon raw honey optional for added sweetness
Instructions
- Starting with the almond milk, place all the ingredients into a blender. Depending on your blender’s settings, first start on the chop mode to chop up the ice and frozen blueberries, followed by pureeing the mixture to create a smooth, even consistency.
- In order to get your preferred consistency, you can also start by not adding any ice, following the other steps above. Once all other ingredients are mixed together, slowly add the ice, mix and then test. Continue to add more ice cubes until the desired consistency is met.
- If too thick, you can add some more almond milk, little by little. If not sweet enough, add a little more honey.
Cindy l Salas
How many ounces per serving
La Mckay
Morning!
Cheryl
The Blueberry Protein Shake is just what I'm looking for when I'm not sure what I want to eat. It's delicious! I like it because it doesn't contain spinach. I'm looking for other shake recipes that do not have spinach in them. Reason to due health issue, I can't consume!
Rich
Although I’ve never tried almond milk, I was wondering if I could use whole milk instead? My goal is to gain weight not to lose it and I understand that protein is the way to go. I’m also restricted to the foods I eat as a result of esophageal cancer so this protein drink is intriguing.
a freind
A bit late with a reply but whole milk would work. talk to your doctor f you can try the weight gainer shakes. GNC makes them and they will pack on pounds. Good luck with fight with cancer.
Dustin
Great breakfast shake!