While Leaner Living MRP is an amazing meal replacement by itself, there are ways to spice up the formula to make super tasty protein smoothies with our shake recipes. There are a few basics to making the best protein shake recipe :
Required – Must haves for good protein shakes
A Lean base of protein (From our Approved Lean Foods)- Examples:
- Lean ‘n Complete (or other tasty quality protein and no sugar meal replacements / protein shakes)
- Calorie Countdown milk – Also serves as liquid base
- Pasteurized Egg Whites (comes in a carton) – Also serves as liquid base
- Low-fat Cottage Cheese – Can serve as liquid base (thick)
- Low-fat plain yogurt / kefir – Also serves as liquid base
A liquid base (for proper mixability) – Examples:
- Water – Cheapest and easiest but no flavor
- Calorie Countdown milk – Good milk protein without the extra sugar and dually counts as protein base
- Non-Sweetened Coconut Milk – Offers a unique taste as well as adds some healthy fats
- Non-Sweetened Almond Milk – Same as above
- Coffee / Tea – Can add different tastes with no calories and added health properties
- Low-fat yogurts / kefir / cottage cheese – Good milk protein with thicker texture / consistency
- Egg Whites – Excellent source of protein with a slightly thicker texture / consistency
Optional – These aren’t required but can add a lot of flavor and extra health to your protein shake recipe
Lean Carb Sources (From our Approved Lean Foods) – Examples:
- Fruits – Frozen or Fresh – Adds a little bit of color and a lot of flavor (not to mention nutrients). Frozen fruit can make your protein smoothies thick and cold! We like frozen berries the most.
- Vegetables – You can add vegetables to your protein shake recipe, but I recommend getting a powerful blender like a Vita-Mix to ensure proper consistency. We add spinach to any of our shakes with no difference in taste as long as we use a Vita-Mix.
- Activity / Body Composition Carbs – Oats can add some great flavor!
“Lean” Fat Sources (From our Approved Lean Foods) – Examples:
- Nuts and Nut Butters – Adds a tremendous amount of flavor and richness to your protein smoothie. An obvious combination such as a chocolate protein base with milky liquid base plus peanut butter is always a winner. Raw walnuts, pecans, and almonds go well with protein shake recipes that contain fruit.
- Oils – If you’re looking to add some easy healthy fat, you could throw in some olive or macadamian nut oil. If you’re daring you could also add some fish oil (we have yet to come across one that doesn’t make our shake recipes taste funny)
- Flax – Although Lean ‘n Complete has a good source of flax already in it, you could add some more to get extra fiber and omega 3’s.
- Non-Sweetened Coconut Milk – Works as both a liquid base and “Lean” Fat source!
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