Why You Should Try Half and Half in Your Protein Shakes
The texture of protein shakes is critical, and it varies so much from brand to brand that trying something new can be a disaster. But if you eat dairy, try refrigeration half and half—a little can make any drink creamier and more delicious, and it’s affordable.
As coffee lovers know, half and half adds creaminess even in very small amounts. Unsurprisingly, that’s exactly what it does for protein shakes. Whether you prefer yours thin and puffy or thick and milkshake-like, adding half and half will make your drink noticeably creamier without changing the overall consistency. A little goes a long way; You may even find that a little halving makes even water-based smoothies tastier.
The obvious benefit of using concentrated ingredients is that they last a long time, and this is definitely the case. You really don’t need many half-and-halfs to make ultra-creamy smoothies, so it goes a lot further than milk, making it a surprisingly economical (and doesn’t take up a lot of fridge space) option. I usually make my shakes with a cup of cold water and a quarter cup half and half per 40-gram scoop of protein powder, and a half-gallon pitcher lasts me at least two weeks. If I used milk or a vegan alternative, I would eat them three or four times faster, leaving less room in my grocery budget and in my fridge for other foods.
Of course, there is no law that says you must use an absolute minimum amount of half and half every time. While using it straight forward is probably overkill for most people, going from “splash” to “generous pour” isn’t a bad idea, especially if you’re after profits. Protein powders tend to be as low in calories as possible, and half and half contain significantly more calories than milk, milk substitutes, and water. Depending on your training program and goals, adding calories to protein shakes is an easy way to meet your daily calorie needs.