Turn your boring protein smoothie into a Super Shake.
Here’s one of the secrets to good nutrition: Not all of your meals have to be food meals.
In fact, you can even replace one to two meals each day with easy-to-make, tasty little drinks we call Super Shakes.
Now, we know that there are tons of stores and juice bars springing up all over, offering smoothies.
But honestly, these store bought and juice bar type shakes are just barely better than a fast-food milk-shake.
They’re typically sweetened heavily with sugar, loaded with poor protein sources, and missing many of the nutrients found in whole foods.
The Super Shake, on the other hand, is packed with good stuff like high-quality protein, fiber, healthy fats, antioxidants and more.
Translation: Super Shakes are the best!
See, Super Shakes are quick and easy — but they’re also really good for you. In fact, they can actually be superior to most of the meals your neighbors are eating.
But you have to do them right. And that’s where this guide comes in.
Get a good blender
Before you start experimenting with our step-by-step guide, here’s a question for you. Do you have a decent blender?
If not, and you want to start making Super Shakes, you’re going to have to go get one. And remember, you get what you pay for.
That’s right, if your blender starts smoking when you add a few ice cubes, it’s time for a replacement, one that’s more powerful and ready for the task at hand (might as well get one that looks good, too).
Recommendations? Sure.
In terms of value, I like the Magic Bullet. It’s only 60-70 bucks and it’s quite powerful. The only issue is that it’s small. So if you want bigger Super Shakes you’ll have to go bigger with your blender. It also may wear out after a few months of daily use.
In which case you might choose the Vitamix. This is the Mercedes Benz of blenders. It’s pricey. But I’ve never seen another blender match its power and longevity.
Making your shake super
Ok, so let’s assume you’ve got your blender out and it’s powerful enough to do the job. Now you can follow the step-by-step guide below for creating nutritious and tasty Super Shakes.
We selected some of the fruits, vegetables, and proteins that seem to work best for our clients. Just go through each step and select an item (or two) from each column. Mix and match as you like. You’ll end up finding combinations you prefer the most.
That said, our list isn’t exhaustive.
Feel free to branch out.
Keep in mind, too, that not all of the steps below are mandatory.
If you don’t want a topper, leave it out. If you want extra veggies, go for it. If you are trying to keep your calories down, you can manipulate variables like portion sizes, and carb and fat amounts.
STEP 1
Pick a liquid
Water
Almond milk (unsweetened)
Cow’s milk
Soy milk (unsweetened)
Hemp milk (unsweetened)
Iced green tea
Less liquid = thick shakes. More liquid = thin shakes. 4-8 oz is a good starting point for each serving.
STEP 2
Pick a protein powder
Whey protein
Casein protein
Pea protein
Rice protein
Hemp protein
Other proteins or protein blends
Some protein powders contain thickeners, which will increase the thickness of your shake. Find the protein supplement that you like best. 1-2 scoops should be sufficient (25-50 g).
STEP 3
Pick a veggie
Dark leafy greens: Spinach / Swiss chard / kale
Pumpkin / sweet potato
Beets / beet greens
Cucumber / celery
Powdered greens supplement
Spinach is usually your best bet, as it is virtually flavorless in your Super Shake. Canned pumpkin is great too. It goes well with vanilla. When using beets, try roasting them and removing the skin first. Beets pair well with chocolate. If you add celery or cucumber, you’ll need to use less liquid in your shake. Add 1-2 handfuls.
STEP 4
Pick a fruit
Apples
Bananas
Berries
Cherries
Dates
Pineapple / mango
Powdered fruit supplement
Toss in half a banana to give the shake an excellent consistency. Dates go a long way, as they’re very sweet (and make sure to get rid of the pit first!). Apples are easy — simply remove the core and slice into wedges. You can use fresh or frozen fruit. Aim for 1-2 cupped handfuls.
STEP 5
Pick a healthy fat
Walnuts
Flax, hemp, chia seeds
Cashews
Almonds
Peanut and nut butters
When blended well, nuts and seeds give the shake a nice, rich consistency. 1-2 thumbs is usually enough.
STEP 6
Pick a topper
Coconut
Cacao nibs / dark chocolate
Yogurt
Oats / granola
Cinnamon
Ice cubes (if using fresh fruit)
Cinnamon is good with vanilla and pumpkin. Add oats if you need extra carbs, yogurt if you want more protein and a smoother consistency. For all of these, a little goes a long way.
So, how about an example?
Here’s one of my favorites.
Step 1: Water (just enough for it to mix)
Step 2: 2 scoops of plain pea protein powder
Step 3: 2 kale leaves and 1 tsp of powdered greens supplement
Step 4: Half a frozen banana and 2 pitted dates
Step 5: 2 thumbs of walnuts
Step 6: Top with a few sprinkles of coconut and 5 ice cubes
Step 7: Drink. Feel smug about getting more nutrition in one beverage than most people get in a week.
There you have it, a template for creating awesome Super Shakes, every time.