What’s all the commotion about protein shakes? Everywhere you go you’ll see some giant of a man chugging down Muscle Milk or a similar product.
What is this relatively new craze all about? What’s in these protein shakes? What does the word “swole” mean?
If you’re like me and you’re excited about adding these shakes to your diet: you’ve got protein mania!
Yup, weight training means I knock back a protein shake twice a day.
Protein has long been considered the panacea for all types of athletes, from long distance runners to bodybuilders to figure skaters to bicycle messengers.
Though protein may come with all sorts of sugars, fats, and carbohydrates, one certainty is that everyone needs it, especially athletes and other fitness-oriented people.
Ideally, most healthy adults should consume around 50 grams per day. This number is significantly higher for athletes.
If you want to get some or most of that protein through protein shakes (or if you already do!), you need the best blender for protein shakes with ice. We share our favorite blenders for protein shakes with honest reviews so you can choose the best one for your protein-based shakes with ice.
My favorite protein shake with ice blender is the Blendtec from Amazon.
Best Blender for Protein Shakes with Ice | Why We Like It |
---|---|
1. Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender | this is a heavy-duty blender with a three-year warranty |
2. The Chefman Ultimate Kitchen Blender | the Chefman works great to make shakes and smoothies while being good for a budget |
3. Nutribullet High Speed Blender | extractor blade extracts nutrients during blending |
Why Are Protein Shakes So Popular?
There’s a good reason for all this buzz! If you exercise a lot, you’re going to need a source of extra protein. This is especially true for weightlifters and other athletes.
A balanced diet gives you enough protein for the average day. But, if your average day consists of a couple of hours of weightlifting or general training, then you might need a little extra nutritional support.
By the way, “swole” is slang for muscular, in case you were about to look it up.
The Best Blenders for Protein Shakes with Ice
Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender
The Total Blender by Blendtec gets my highest recommendation for protein shakes. It has an exceptionally strong motor and large blade, ideal for crushing ice.
This model boasts a 1,560-watt motor with 3 HP direct-drive features. The preprogrammed blending cycles are ready for any protein shake-based job. Two stainless steel blades spin at 29,000 rotations per minute, guaranteed to crush ice. The jar is a 2-quart square blending jar with a secure fitting lid.
The Blendtec comes with a little book of recipes and a 3-year motor-based warranty. It isn’t the cheapest blender on the market, but a healthier you is definitely worth the investment.
The Chefman Ultimate Kitchen Blender
The Chefman Ultimate Blender whips up an evenly blended smoothie quickly and at a great price. The powerful 240-watt motor will have no trouble crushing ice.
The included travel cup makes transporting your protein shake a breeze. For personal use, this blender is hard to beat.
Nutribullet High Speed Blender
Nutribullet has long been known for their industry-leading designs in blenders. Their High Speed Blender/Mixer features a behemoth 900-watt motor and extractor blade, which literally extracts nutrients from the food you blend.
The hardest ice will be no match for this workhorse. When combined with the protein powder of your choice, this machine will make the most nutritious protein shakes possible.
What Does Protein Actually Do?
The combinations of amino acids that compose proteins are necessary for the body to build and repair muscle and bones. Protein also provides a healthy source of energy.
Proteins control the metabolic system, which has everything to do with our physical health. Along with water and oxygen, protein is arguably the most important thing we consume.
Protein Parlors
As protein sciences evolved, different forms of protein supplements have been designed for different purposes. Whey protein, arguably the most common, has a high level of essential amino acids, making it a good choice for recovery.
Casein protein is often taken before bed to stimulate muscle growth and assist in overnight recovery.
Pea protein provides a profile similar to soy protein, though it spares its user of the controversial phytoestrogens. Men can take this kind without fear of developing breasts!
Shaking up the Scene
Protein shakes are the easiest way to get enough food to your muscles.
Although proteins may be consumed in many forms, the proliferation of protein shakes has dominated the protein supplement scene for over 50 years.
As competitive bodybuilding gained popularity in the 1950’s, many new products were introduced to aid in the recovery of sore muscles, so that aspiring beefcakes could minimize downtime between workouts.
As dictated by basic nutrition law, the body absorbs liquids faster than solids, making drinkable protein more advantageous than, say, a post-workout steak.
That said, one of the earliest protein recovery drinks was popularized by bodybuilder Earle Liederman and marketed as ‘beef juice.’ Refreshing!
Shakes, Not Steaks
Certainly, most of us can get all the protein we need from more traditional sources than beef juice and muscle meat. Between meats, dairy, and whole grains, we can easily meet the daily 50 grams of protein.
However, for the athletes among us, who often need more than double the recommended daily amount, the excess of fats and carbohydrates—not to mention the growing cost—of food borne protein simply outweighs the benefit of the protein.
This is where customizable protein shakes earn their keep.
Protein is Whey Cool—Casein Point
Once you’ve selected an appropriate protein supplement, it’s time to begin taking it. Sure, you could simply mix it with water and shoot it back, but this sort of unnecessary punishment of your taste buds will hardly make protein powder a habit that sticks.
One of the most common—even fashionable—means of administering protein powders is in the form of a shake.
Surely you’ve already seen these options lurking in the corners of the menus at the smoothie stand at the mall—‘add a scoop of protein powder for just twenty-five dollars!’
OK—maybe it’s not that expensive, but if you’re in the habit of regularly taking protein supplements, it’s absolutely to your benefit to buy a blender and make your own smoothies at home.
Fruit Smoothies for Tough Folks
No longer just for vacations at the beach and suburban soccer moms, fruit smoothies have made serious headway into the realm of respected nutrition drinks.
Use whichever fruits you like, a scoop of low-fat yogurt, some ice, and a heaping spoonful of the protein powder of your choice for a healthful supplement to offset every workout.
Because you will be using ice (or frozen fruit for a stronger flavor), it is important to select a blender that has the power to finely grind the ice without damaging the machine or its component parts.
The Health Facts
Healthy adults need about 45 to 56 grams of protein a day. A balanced diet will easily provide sufficient protein for most people. However, if you do need extra protein, shakes are a great way to nourish hard-working muscles. Protein shakes vary in their protein content, but all of them will contain some carbohydrates too, and maybe even a little fat.
The particular blend you use depends on your nutrition and body goals. An endurance athlete might favor protein shakes with a higher carbohydrate content. These added carbs can benefit active individuals by providing them with the energy they need to go the extra mile. If you want to lose fat, you want a shake that is lower in carbs, but high in protein.
The most important thing to remember is that you drink the shake after your workout. This way, your muscles will benefit from the protein when they actually need it.
Which Source of Protein is Best?
Take a close look at the ingredients next time you shop for protein powder. You’ll notice that the various brands get their protein from a wide range of different sources. The most popular are soy, egg, whey, casein, rice, or milk.
The protein source, and how it’s manufactured, will have an impact on how your body uses it. Whey and casein are good sources that come from milk. Soy protein is a great option for vegetarians and vegans, as it is plant-based and just as effective as protein from many animal sources.
How to Use Protein Powder.
The best way to make your protein shake is by adding a few scoops to an already nutritious and protein-filled smoothie. Check the packaging to see how many scoops you’ll need.
Fill your blender with fruit, vegetables, a little ice, and some yogurt. Add 2 or 3 scoops of your protein powder to make a brilliant shake that will heal your muscles and give you the energy you need for your active lifestyle.
Recipes
Here are some protein shake ideas to boost your energy, any time of the day.
Breakfast
At breakfast, most of us enjoy a nice cup of Joe to get us moving in the morning. The problem is that a lot of us add sugar to our coffee. If you’re a lean athlete, you can’t do that. Instead, why not take your blender and add a cup of low-fat milk, a scoop of low-fat coffee ice cream and 2 scoops of vanilla protein. Blend it up and conquer the day.
Lunch
For lunch, you should be eating a high protein food, like grilled chicken. A protein-rich lunch keeps you full and energized until dinner. Alternatively, you could enjoy a nice berry protein shake. Fill the blender with your chosen berries, ice, and two scoops of your favorite protein powder. Voila! You have a nutrient rich lunch that you can drink on-the-go.
After Dinner
Do you work out in the evening? After dinner, why not treat yourself to a banana bread shake? Add cooked oatmeal, bran flakes, a banana, honey, whey protein, and ice to the blender. This dessert will satisfy your sweet tooth and making it is easy as pie, but way healthier.
Build muscle, burn fat!
Support muscle gain or weight loss with a tasty protein shake! The Blendtec Total Blender is the model to get for making shakes that will give you the energy you need for your workouts.
So what if you need a quick zip with a blender through a soup or sauce? You might want an immersion blender.
If you liked this article, maybe you’re looking for a blender that can blend smoothies… and margaritas?
Bryce is not a real professor, but he's real nerdy in the kitchen. He's been barbecuing, chopping, and generally blazing food for many decades. He thinks there's definitely a better spatula or utensil out there that hasn't been invented yet.