Typically I hate protein shakes. They’ve pretty much all nearly made me gag. No joke. I think the only one that I’ve enjoyed was laden in sugar and calories (i.e. the Gold’s Gym Peanut butter shake). Not only did it have chocolate syrup as the second ingredient but it was over 600 calories. It makes me sad to think after a few of my hard workouts, I’d grab a ‘healthy shake’ at their protein bar and drink away those calories I had worked so hard to burn.
So, I’ve always thought that homemade protein shakes tasted weird and once I found out that my go-to shake at Gold’s Gym was full of syrup I almost gave up on protein shakes altogether. But then I found a way to not only make one that tastes DELICIOUS, and is quick to make, but I’ve managed to make it SKINNY/LITE (under 290 healthy calories!). This meal replacement/protein shake is so good that I actually get cravings for it (something I never thought I’d do!).
It takes 3 minutes to make.
Serves 1 or 2 (makes 2 tall glasses).
Ingredients
1 rounded scoop- Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold Standard (Chocolate). I love this brand. It’s better (in not only taste but also in healthy quality) than the many other protein powders I’ve tried! It’s got a really great mix of vitamins and minerals. And Optimum Nutrition doesn’t contain oils, a bunch of sodium, and artificial flavors (like most other protein powders do). It took me awhile to find a protein powder that I actually like the taste of and that is healthy, but I’m glad I found it. You can find it here. The container is 74 servings which is under $1 per serving. I get the chocolate flavor. It contains 120 calories, 24 grams of protein, and 1 grams of fat. And has 4 1/2 stars out of over 11,500 Amazon reviews.
2 Tablespoons- PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter (Peanuts that have had the oil pressed out of them). You get the great taste, protein, and nutrition of peanut butter with a fraction of the calories and fat grams. If you’ve never heard of this stuff, you are missing out. Just check out the Amazon reviews if you don’t believe me. I linked here to a combo pack of both regular and chocolate PB2. I put the regular PB2 in the shake and I will actually eat the chocolate kind just plain (it’s that good). They contain 45 calories, 5 grams of protein, and 1.5 grams of fat
1 Banana- Use a nice yellow one (not under or overly ripe). 105 calories, 1.5 protein, 0 fat
1/4 C. Skim Milk- 20 calories, 2 grams of protein, 0 fat
1/4 C Cold Water
2 Cups crushed Ice
Optional:(If you want it thinner you can add 1/2 C water).
Total Calories: 290
Total Protien: 32.5
Total Fat: 2.5
Instructions
Put it all in a blender (I LOVE my Blendtec) and mix on a lower speed for 30 seconds. Then mix on high for 1 minute (or until completely blended well). Enjoy!
- 1 rounded scoop- Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold Standard (Chocolate).
- 2 Tablespoons- PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter (
- 1 Banana
- ¼ C. Skim Milk
- ¼ C Cold Water
- 2 Cups crushed Ice
- Optional:(If you want it thinner you can add ½ C water).
- Put it all in a blender and mix on a lower speed for 30 seconds. Then mix on high for 1 minute (or until completely blended well). Enjoy!
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These shake recipes always call for bananas. Can’t something else be substituted for it?
Cherie- You could leave it out (the powder tastes good enough it would probably be just fine). Or Strawberries go good with chocolate and peanut butter, so you could try substituting strawberries in, perhaps spinach as well. Thanks!
I love avocados in my smoothies. I use 1/2 avacado and it gives your smoothies a creamy texture and you get the healthy fats.
Denise- Great idea, I’ll have to give it a try!
How much is 2 scoops of the meal replacement?? 2Tbsp?
I just used the scoops that come with the protein powder. If I had to guess I’d image it is 1/3 cup powder but I don’t know. I’d encourage you to use the scoops on the protein powder cans.
Ohh I didn’t see a scoop with my powder maybe I’ll have to dig deeper lol
Thanks for the help!!!
Yep dig around, its gotta be in these somewhere :)!
I’m intolerant to bananas also so I tried your strawberry suggestion. It was delicious. Thanks for the tip!
Awesome Amanda! So glad to hear it! Thanks for checking back and letting me know how it tasted 🙂
Amanda, in case you come back to see these comments . . . I wanted to let you know that I too was intolerant to bananas until I tried organic bananas. They work just fine! No tummy ache. No tin can taste in my mouth. Just yummy banana goodness! Could be you’re not intolerant to bananas themselves, but rather to pesticides and other chemicals involved in conventional growing methods. Give organic bananas a try – could be a great solution for you!
I have been looking for a good one, but I noticed this has soy in it and it is not good for someone that has thryoid disease. I will still be looking for a good tasting one.
Betty- I hope you do find a great tasting powder that doesn’t have a negative effect on your thyroid! Good luck!
Just ordered the protein powder and peanut butter powder. Can’t wait to try this!!! I’ve been looking for something that will keep me full and tastes good, too!
Amy- Awesome! Yeah its a definite favorite! please let me know what you think?
Which one has soy in it?
Avoid using PB2, it’s not very good for you. http://foodbabe.com/2012/09/16/the-truth-about-pb2-powdered-peanut-butter/
Thanks for the info. according to this article if PB2 isn’t healthy then regular peanut butter isn’t either. If you or others are uncomfortable with eating peanuts, try substituting RAW organic almond butter as the author of the article recommends. I try to keep a balance in my diet and I feel a little PB2 or peanut butter is alright…but that’s just me.
Regarding PB2…I do not know what area of the country(world)you love, but this product, on both flavors, can now be purchased at Krpgers, Big Lots, Whole Foods and a couple othet places. Big Lots..it’s $4.00 a jar.. It’s under $5.00 at the other stores. I love it for the protein shakes. I don’t use it often so it lasts for me. I don’t over do the “bad” healthy foods or drinks. I do the moderate and sparingly intake of those. Hope this helps in finding pb2.
BTW..I use it for sprinkling on my yogurt, or my light bread toast topped with light Cream cheese. So useful. Thank you for this recipe!
Linda- Thanks for the useful tips. I have seen PB2 making its way into stores, so thanks for pointing that out. That said I had to go to 4 stores to find it so I just linked up to Amazon for the convenience of readers (I also find it cheaper, if you are a Prime member). Great ideas of other ways to use it.
We wanted to let you know we shared your recipe on our 40+ Skinny Recipes post! Check it out! Feel free to share on social media!
http://www.theshoppingmama.com/2015/01/40-skinny-recipes-to-start-your-year-healthy-including-desserts/
Catherine @ The Shopping Mama
Thank you, that is very kind!
This is my favorite protein shake recipe. Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome. I love it too!!
I wanted to make this and just happened to see the PB2 at my local target today. Ran home after my workout and made this with vanilla protein powder because that’s what I have at home. So good!!! Thanks so much for the recipe!
You are welcome! I’m glad it turned out with Vanilla. I’ll have to try that sometime.
OMG….Just saw this on Pinterest and tried it after I read that I had all the ingredients. (only I used Unsweetened Almond Milk, I’m lactose intolerant) A-MAZING….DRINKING IT NOW!!! 10 minutes after I read the recipe…JUST A-MAZING!!
Thanks Trish! Yes it is sooo good!!! Thanks for leaving a review.
I’m lactose intolerant and peanut butter doesn’t always agree with me so my version was:
8 oz Almond/coconut milk
1 huge tbl Almond Butter
1 scoop Egg White Protein (choco flavored) 150 cal/22grms protein.
crushed ice…..
Yummy!
This is the best breakfast and/or post workout smoothie since it doesn’t have me feeling bloated afterwards! Instead of using what you have listed, I use the Optimum Nutrition Hydro Whey Chocolate, 2% milk, and PBFit since I already have that stuff at home! In the end, the one I make hovers around 320-330 calories, but it’s still healthy! So simple, yet so effective. Thanks!
Awesome! Thanks so much for commenting and telling me your variations that you like. That’s awesome.
Thank you so much for this recipe! I literally use this every day!
Oh good! I’m so glad you love it!!
Can you make a morning shake?
1) 1 scoop protein
2) 2 tbl spoon choc peanut butter
3) 1 tbl spoon coffee for mocha flavour (only for morning)
4) 1 tble sp each flexi and chia seeds (optional)
Shake it well
Try and let me know
This looks so delicious!
Could I use Coconut milk in this?
I’m sure you probably could. Please check it out and then let me know how it goes 🙂