A post-workout meal should have somewhere in between 15-25 grams of protein in order to help your muscles recover from the training. Carbs are also required in order to replenish glycogen stores. The most popular post workout meal usually consists of protein powder smoothies and shakes.
But did you know you can use protein powder to make some really delicious and creative meals? You can use it to bake with it, make cookie dough or decadent chocolate.
These recipes are a sneaky way to use protein in your meals. Not only will you ensure your required protein intake, but replacing protein powder with flour, for example, makes for a healthier version of the dish!
1. Protein Pizza
Gluten free pizza dough? Yes. It also has 42 grams of protein. Not to mention if you add your favorite protein rich toppings - that will make it a protein bomb.
For our favorite protein pizza dough recipe, you only need cauliflower (or you can replace that with oats if you prefer), your favorite protein powder, eggs, seasoning and cheddar (optional).
2. Mashed Potatoes
This is the easiest dish you can think of. It ensures your carb intake, it's very satiating and the best part: it has protein.
Just mash your boiled potatoes and mix it with butter, milk of your choice and an added scoop of your favorite Whey Protein Powder.
3. Protein Parfait
A cup of Greek yogurt with a scoop of your favorite protein powder in it. And just add to that your favorite toppings – granola, blueberries, you name it! This is a perfect desert, very healthy and nutritious and incredibly delicious!
4. Cookie dough balls
For this recipe you only need your favorite protein powder, the newly popular and much loved coconut flour, dark chocolate chips and nut butter of choice (peanut, almond), and a little bit of milk of your choice.
This recipe needs no baking, just mixing it all together and then take little scoops with your hand that you shape into little spheres. Let them set in the fridge and enjoy!
PS: you can add nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla extract, stevia or honey for a sweeter flavor - whatever you wish. The possibilities are limitless!
5. Power Coffee
Now, coffee in itself is a power drink, but you can make that a protein drink as well. If you are tired of your shakes and maybe have little time to cook with protein powder, adding a scup of your favorite protein powder to your coffee is the greatest hack you can use! Just prepare your coffee as regular and add protein powder to it while it's still steaming.
6. Coco-Choco Popsicles
This is a perfect summer treat, easy to make and even one to enjoy on the go. All you need is your favorite protein powder (we recommend vanilla flavored if you like it), coconut milk and dark chocolate.
Mix the dark chocolate with the coconut milk, add a scoop of protein powder, pour it into molds and put it in the freezer. You can even add some nuts or other toppings if you desire. You got yourself some loco-coco ice cream to enjoy!
7. Chia Pudding
Chia Pudding is increasingly more famous, with the blends and flavors only limited by one's imagination and use of chia. All you need is your favorite milk (cow's milk, skimmed milk, almond, soy, hazlenut or coconut milk), a scoop of chia seeds, one scoop of vanilla flavored protein powder. Mix it all together and leave it over night. You can add your favorite toppings to this. Berries are a great topping choice!
8. Protein Oatmeal Breakfast
Flax seeds, your favorite kind of milk and slices of your favorite fruit or berries - throw it all into a boil and add a scoop of protein powder in it. When the mixture reaches boiling point add your oats to it and let it simmer for a few minutes. This is a powerful and nutritious breakfast you can make in just 5 minutes.
You can use protein powder in just about any recipe you can think of. It’s great combined with Greek yogurt, chia seeds and milk. You can also add it to salad dressings, to you coffee and obviously, your shakes and smoothies.
Make sure you don’t overdo it and use too much protein. If you already eat high protein meals, don’t add protein to already high in protein meals – that can cause organ damage, hinder fat loss or even contribute to cancer causing factors.
Protein powder is a great way to control the protein intake. Whenever you need a little extra, you can simply add a scoop to your favorite recipes that are lower in protein. However, don’t forget to mind the other ingredients that these recipes have! Don’t over indulge, just sparingly treat yourself.
Don’t forget to have fun! Be creative with your recipes and use of protein powder. Did you try any of these recipes? How do you use protein powders other than in your shakes? Let us know!
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