How to make a protein drink
September 18, 2010 7:34 AM Subscribe
When mixing whey protein powder with milk, should the milk be hot, warm or cold? Or does it not matter? Does the powder need to completely 'dissolve'?
The instructions aren't particularly clear on this point. I use cold milk - just out of convenience and laziness. I don't imagine there would be a physiological difference between cold, warm and hot milk, but does anyone know for sure?
Further, the powder never seems to dissolve fully in the milk. I don't use a blender, again out of laziness. I just whip it up with a spoon. This leaves me lots of little grainy chunks of protein powder. Is this fine? I guess the powder would never dissolve fully but would be some sort of emulsion, but do I need to make it less granulated?
Thanks in advance.
The instructions aren't particularly clear on this point. I use cold milk - just out of convenience and laziness. I don't imagine there would be a physiological difference between cold, warm and hot milk, but does anyone know for sure?
Further, the powder never seems to dissolve fully in the milk. I don't use a blender, again out of laziness. I just whip it up with a spoon. This leaves me lots of little grainy chunks of protein powder. Is this fine? I guess the powder would never dissolve fully but would be some sort of emulsion, but do I need to make it less granulated?
Thanks in advance.
Best answer: It's not a problem if it's grainy, as long as you can stand to drink it, but a blender makes it smooth in my experience. I've never tried to heat the milk - it's just the physical stirring that does it.
posted by restless_nomad at 8:15 AM on September 18, 2010
posted by restless_nomad at 8:15 AM on September 18, 2010
Shakers don't work...or, at least, the calories you'll use to try and shake the damn powder into liquid form will nearly offset the calories you'll consume in the drink.
Use a blender, period. Or try to find one of those shakers with the motorized blender at the bottom like Sue Sylvester has in Glee (do those really exist or is that just a funny prop for the show?)
posted by hiteleven at 8:16 AM on September 18, 2010
Use a blender, period. Or try to find one of those shakers with the motorized blender at the bottom like Sue Sylvester has in Glee (do those really exist or is that just a funny prop for the show?)
posted by hiteleven at 8:16 AM on September 18, 2010
Best answer: Yes, definitely put the cold liquid in the container first, then add the powder. Then shake or blend.
Or, better yet, you could make a slurry by adding a little bit of the liquid and stirring with a whisk to make a very thick sludge. Then add the rest of the liquid while stirring.
But if you don't want to take the time for a slurry and dirty a whisk: Cold liquid, then powder, then shake.
posted by cross_impact at 8:17 AM on September 18, 2010
Or, better yet, you could make a slurry by adding a little bit of the liquid and stirring with a whisk to make a very thick sludge. Then add the rest of the liquid while stirring.
But if you don't want to take the time for a slurry and dirty a whisk: Cold liquid, then powder, then shake.
posted by cross_impact at 8:17 AM on September 18, 2010
I love shakers.
The powder doesn't need to completely dissolve in order for it to work, if that's what you're wondering.
posted by Anonymous at 8:29 AM on September 18, 2010
The powder doesn't need to completely dissolve in order for it to work, if that's what you're wondering.
posted by Anonymous at 8:29 AM on September 18, 2010
Best answer: I use cold water with protein powder and just stir it with a spoon.
It's a bit chunky and unappetizing, but you slam it down so fast it doesn't matter. It's not like it's gonna be a taste sensation if I throw it in a blender and use (soy) milk.
Until I see an argument to the contrary, I see no reason to believe protein is better absorbed when blended smooth rather than stirred and grainy. It all gets smooshed around in the stomach anyway.
posted by dontjumplarry at 8:30 AM on September 18, 2010
It's a bit chunky and unappetizing, but you slam it down so fast it doesn't matter. It's not like it's gonna be a taste sensation if I throw it in a blender and use (soy) milk.
Until I see an argument to the contrary, I see no reason to believe protein is better absorbed when blended smooth rather than stirred and grainy. It all gets smooshed around in the stomach anyway.
posted by dontjumplarry at 8:30 AM on September 18, 2010
The shaker with the ball in it works reasonably well. It depends on the protein though, some clump more than others. When I am at home I usually use a stick blender.
Also, I was told (by a dietitian) not to use hot liquids with whey protein because they will denature, which seems to be supported by Wikipedia.
posted by cabingirl at 8:34 AM on September 18, 2010
Also, I was told (by a dietitian) not to use hot liquids with whey protein because they will denature, which seems to be supported by Wikipedia.
posted by cabingirl at 8:34 AM on September 18, 2010
Best answer: It can be warm if you have chocolate powder and want a hot chocolate type thing. Don't go over 140 degrees or so or the protein will cook.
I've found the shakers with the springy ball inside to be effective, but nowhere near as good as a milk frother. I got one for a couple dollars at IKEA and it's faster and easier than any blender and the cleanup is quick too.
If you're really looking for protein advice check out a weight loss surgery discussion board. They know more about protein powder than anyone.
posted by elsietheeel at 8:36 AM on September 18, 2010
I've found the shakers with the springy ball inside to be effective, but nowhere near as good as a milk frother. I got one for a couple dollars at IKEA and it's faster and easier than any blender and the cleanup is quick too.
If you're really looking for protein advice check out a weight loss surgery discussion board. They know more about protein powder than anyone.
posted by elsietheeel at 8:36 AM on September 18, 2010
Best answer: I have a blender bottle. I toss in the ball, fill it halfway with milk, put the protein powder in, and then fill it the rest of the way with milk (I've found this works better than putting it in at the beginning or end -- adding the rest of the milk helps mix it). Then I shake the hell out of it. This blends it well enough that I haven't bothered using my blender, even though I make my shakes at home.
posted by vorfeed at 9:05 AM on September 18, 2010
posted by vorfeed at 9:05 AM on September 18, 2010
Best answer: I tried to make hot chocolate with whey once. It didn't go so well. I think it's one of the only things I've ever tasted that actually tasted funny, as in ha ha funny. I took a sip and burst out laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of how it tasted. I don't recommend it.
Using a spoon is fine. I like to add oats to my morning shake, in which case a blender is much better. Some fast carbs are advisable in a post-workout shake in order to replenish muscle glycogen and speed the absorption of the protein. But before bed I just do whey + water, too. A little clumpiness is no big deal. Try some crystal light in there for flavor.
posted by JohnMarston at 9:06 AM on September 18, 2010 [2 favorites]
Using a spoon is fine. I like to add oats to my morning shake, in which case a blender is much better. Some fast carbs are advisable in a post-workout shake in order to replenish muscle glycogen and speed the absorption of the protein. But before bed I just do whey + water, too. A little clumpiness is no big deal. Try some crystal light in there for flavor.
posted by JohnMarston at 9:06 AM on September 18, 2010 [2 favorites]
I drink 4-5 protein shakes a day (WLS) and I don't use a blender at all. I use one of these. I add a mix of water and heavy cream, pour in my protein mix, shake for 30 secs. Add a few ice cubes, shake some more. Voila. Nothing extra to clean up, protein powder dissolves nicely. After I'm done, I either rinse it out and just let it be in the fridge til my next shake of the day. It gets a full wash every evening. Easy.
posted by SoulOnIce at 9:13 AM on September 18, 2010
posted by SoulOnIce at 9:13 AM on September 18, 2010
Best answer: The problem here is that some protein powders don't dissolve very well.
Muscle Milk, ON, and Bio-test supplements all dissolve fully in a shaker bottle even if you're only using water. Others may do a good job but I only rotate between those supplements.
I find ice makes things not dissolve as well because the protein gets stuck to the cubes.
I use 16oz of whole milk a lot as well as shakes with just water. One thing you'll want to make sure of is putting some liquid in first before adding the powder. If you put the powder in first some will stick to the bottom no matter how hard you shake.
Once you add the powder you need to shake quickly too because it will get stuck to the sides if you wait too long.
posted by zephyr_words at 10:17 AM on September 18, 2010
Muscle Milk, ON, and Bio-test supplements all dissolve fully in a shaker bottle even if you're only using water. Others may do a good job but I only rotate between those supplements.
I find ice makes things not dissolve as well because the protein gets stuck to the cubes.
I use 16oz of whole milk a lot as well as shakes with just water. One thing you'll want to make sure of is putting some liquid in first before adding the powder. If you put the powder in first some will stick to the bottom no matter how hard you shake.
Once you add the powder you need to shake quickly too because it will get stuck to the sides if you wait too long.
posted by zephyr_words at 10:17 AM on September 18, 2010
Zephyr_words has got it. It really depends on the protein and how it has been isolated and processed. The protein in a tub formulations tend to be processed so that they dissolve easily, but the cheaper stuff (or the weird stuff at health food stores) might not be. You just have to shop around.
posted by Mr. Gunn at 11:28 AM on September 18, 2010
posted by Mr. Gunn at 11:28 AM on September 18, 2010
I lived on this stuff for months after surgery. Blender is the best, but it blends in a lot of air, which may be ok for you (it was not for me). Shaking worked the best. I had a drink container with a straw, I just shook it up a bit before each sip. There would always be a little unmixed powder on the bottom of the container.
posted by wandering_not_lost at 1:34 PM on September 18, 2010
posted by wandering_not_lost at 1:34 PM on September 18, 2010
Best answer: not all proteins powders mix equally,
I've found that whey protein isolate, seems to mix easier than anything else.
I don't know how important the difference between brands is, but Mr. Gunn and Zephyr's suggestion that it matters seems reasonable.
As I believe you're a Melbournian, I'll add that in my experience Naked Whey - whey protein isolate (WPI) mixes really well. I have a bag in my drawer at work to make shakes after lunch break gym sessions, I don't even bother using the springy mixer ball, it's just an extra thing to clean.
http://www.promatrix.com.au You can find it in tubs in shops around Melbourne.
If you're buying a big tub there is another brand that I think is as good and cheaper,
Natural Health Supplements sell plain whey protein isolate with no additives in huge 3kg tubs You can get them at Evelyn Faye Nutrition 360 Bourke Street Melbourne.
If you go for that, be aware that sell many forms of protein, not all are whey, and not all the whey is ISOLATE. To my taste some of the other types are clag paste. I accidentally bought the wrong tub once and had a long month drinking gagging misery gloop. I also bought big tub of egg protein, but never really worked out what to do with it and I was relieved when my brother finally took it off my hands.
I think he just skulled with cold water.
posted by compound eye at 6:43 PM on September 18, 2010
I've found that whey protein isolate, seems to mix easier than anything else.
I don't know how important the difference between brands is, but Mr. Gunn and Zephyr's suggestion that it matters seems reasonable.
As I believe you're a Melbournian, I'll add that in my experience Naked Whey - whey protein isolate (WPI) mixes really well. I have a bag in my drawer at work to make shakes after lunch break gym sessions, I don't even bother using the springy mixer ball, it's just an extra thing to clean.
http://www.promatrix.com.au You can find it in tubs in shops around Melbourne.
If you're buying a big tub there is another brand that I think is as good and cheaper,
Natural Health Supplements sell plain whey protein isolate with no additives in huge 3kg tubs You can get them at Evelyn Faye Nutrition 360 Bourke Street Melbourne.
If you go for that, be aware that sell many forms of protein, not all are whey, and not all the whey is ISOLATE. To my taste some of the other types are clag paste. I accidentally bought the wrong tub once and had a long month drinking gagging misery gloop. I also bought big tub of egg protein, but never really worked out what to do with it and I was relieved when my brother finally took it off my hands.
I think he just skulled with cold water.
posted by compound eye at 6:43 PM on September 18, 2010
Response by poster: Thank you all for your kind help and suggestions! Very much appreciated.
posted by kid A at 7:26 AM on September 21, 2010
posted by kid A at 7:26 AM on September 21, 2010
Response by poster: And yes I am a Melbournian. I'll check out the 3kg tub tomorrow.
posted by kid A at 7:27 AM on September 21, 2010
posted by kid A at 7:27 AM on September 21, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Or, if you don't feel like washing your blender so regularly, find one of these cups, which I've never used but are popular.
posted by knile at 7:48 AM on September 18, 2010