How to Make Plant-Based Protein Powder Look Different From Your Butt
Plant-based protein powders are very popular these days, and not just among vegans. Whey protein can be difficult to digest, which means that even omnivores may choose to supplement their diet with vegan protein.
Whether you’re completely vegan or just switching to it for digestive reasons, you’ve probably already noticed that vegan protein has a particular texture and flavor that isn’t, shall we say, “attractive.” (After trying both, I can tell that I prefer vegan powders to whey just because of the taste, but that says little.) Fortunately, this is fairly easy to change. Here’s how.
Use the right tools
Plant-based protein powders are known to contain sand, so your regular shaker bottle probably won’t cut it. Instead, use a blender or stick blender – they will dissolve every last bit of powder so your drink is perfectly smooth. If you have one, the digital kitchen scale is also a clutch bag. Vegan protein powders are much lumpier than whey, which means these pre-measured scoops aren’t very accurate. The scale helps you choose the dose every time and adjust it according to your needs.
Try to drink a cold protein shake
It sounds counterintuitive, but the easiest way to improve the flavor of protein shakes is to focus on temperature and texture. Aromatics are less noticeable when cold, so if you’re really struggling with the flavor of your protein shakes, try to keep them as cold as possible. Mixing a few ice cubes or simply pouring the finished drink onto the ice both work great. However, don’t try to grind ice cubes with your blender – it will explode all over your kitchen.
Texture also makes a huge difference in how delicious something is. Vegan protein drinks are almost always thicker than their whey counterparts, and I personally can’t hang myself. The thick, messy texture makes me breathless, so I use almost double the recommended amount of water. If you prefer to drink a little bit of something thick, just use less water. It’s all about what is easiest for you.
Add some real sugar to your protein shake
The worst part of flavored protein powders is the stevia used to sweeten them, at least in my opinion. It adds a lingering aftertaste that I really don’t like, and the easiest way to hide it is to add some real sugar. I usually use about a tablespoon (or 16 grams) of brown sugar for about 40 grams of powder, but you can – and should – adjust to taste. White sugar, icing sugar, honey, or maple syrup are also good options.
Add salt and citric acid to your protein shake.
Salt may not solve all culinary problems, but it is not far off. I season my protein drinks with a pinch of salt and citric acid powder and recommend doing the same. These two really smooth out the roughness, so to speak, but you can add any other seasonings you like. If you usually buy vanilla-flavored protein, try some real vanilla extract; if you prefer chocolate add some cocoa powder. The more you experiment, the easier it will be to find the perfect blend.