If you’re anything like us, you wake up in the morning and begin to think about ways to make sure you’re hitting your macros—especially when it comes to protein.
“How much more protein must I eat today?” you ask yourself, looking up every resource known to man (check out our handy guide here). Two or three shakes plus a few protein bars later…and you’re still left needing to devour a small child before bedtime (if you actually want to hit that 1.5g per body pound ratio).
People who go into bodybuilding, even just as a hobby, might fall into this trap quite often if they’re not armed with the proper knowledge. Sure, you know chicken has protein but you also need to be aware of the quality of protein and the bioavailability of it. That being said, trying to reach that magical number (whatever it may be for you) is a lot easier said than done.
So what do you do? Pick up a rotisserie chicken from Boston Market and chow down? Good news is you don’t have to go that far. If you’re looking to squeeze in an extra 60-80g a day, here’s a list of seven unsuspecting, everyday foods that you can boost with protein powder.
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Doble Down on Banana
Calm down, monkey, this shake isn’t actually made with two full bananas. No need to go carb crazy. The best way to bring out the banana taste in any of your smoothies—instead of cutting other ingredients or stuffing in extra fruit—is to swap out your current powder with a banana-flavored one. Get all the banana flavor you’re craving without the extra carbs. Come on, branch out from chocolate. If you’re a chocolate addict, try dark chocolate almond milk as a base with a banana protein powder.
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Vladislav Noseek
Flavored Oatmeal
Oatmeal on its own is an awesome breakfast…but why people taint it with maple syrup or brown sugar is beyond me. You’re already eating a literal bowl full of carbs. Yes, oatmeal tastes like the floor when served plain, which is why some people haphazardly suggest “adding-in some protein.” But let me tell you, one does not simply “add-in some protein.” The basic vanilla and chocolate flavors just don’t work as part of a morning ritual. Time to call in your new secret weapon: salted caramel protein powder! This is like GameShark for oatmeal. It’s light enough of a flavor not to overpower, but still sweet enough to let you savor every bite. My morning bowl: a cup of instant oats with some nuts and dried berries, then sprinkled with a half-scoop of salted caramel protein powder. Breakfast is your new favorite meal of the day.
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puhhha
Protein Energy Drinks
Go with me here. I pretty much live on these. Take your favorite jet-sized 8 oz. energy drink and blend it up with ice and a scoop of multipurpose (unflavored) protein powder (2 scoops for taller, 16 oz. cans). Energy drinks are always a bit sweet to begin with, so this tones them down while beefing them up! Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but an unflavored powder has NO effect on the essence of the taste. If anything, you’ll enjoy it for a few sips longer than you would straight from the can. Some energy drinks give you wings—this one gives you guns.
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Peanut Butter Sludge
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Gulsina
Greek God Yogurt
Take your plain Greek yogurt to superhuman levels with a scoop of vanilla milkshake protein powder! Greek yogurt on its own has a fairly plain taste (because you’re never eating those fruity mini-cups loaded with sugar, right?), so a little kick of vanilla will help tantalize your taste buds and make the act of eating this ordinary, yet essential snack a whole new delight. And to be honest, it’s not even the double protein that gets me… but the texture is out of this world! I honestly can’t even explain the feeling. It’s like a eating a comfy fleece blanket, but you don’t choke and die. Plus you’ll end up with pecs that Jason would give up his own Golden Fleece for.
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Fascinadora
Hot Cocoa
Hard to screw this one up, as you’ve probably been making a variation of it your whole life already… just with the wrong ingredient! While everyone else is getting cozy by the fire, you take to the kitchen to brew up some warm winter cheer. When nobody’s looking, pull out your secret ingredient… no, not rum… chocolate milkshake protein powder!
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Spread Some Strawberry
Spread your sweetest desires on top of any meal, any place, at any time of the day. This is also the most portable trick for gains since the invention of the protein bar. Load up on the smallest sandwich bags you can find, add in 2 scoops of strawberries & cream protein powder, a few tablespoons of water, and massage into a thick frosting. It’s ready for immediate consumption or you can save for later. Open, scoop, and spread… or just chew the corner off and eat it straight from the bag like a 4-year-old at a birthday party.
