Best Protein Shakes After Workout

If you have been wondering what protein shake is best after workout, look no further. We have compiled a list of the best after workout protein shakes. Be sure to consume these tasty concoctions at least an hour or less after your exercise session. Enjoying a protein-packed smoothie will refuel your body with the critically important muscle-building protein you need to replenish fatigued and broken-down muscle tissue. Otherwise, your body might break down muscle even further as a means of energy production. Without further adieu, let's take a look at the best protein shakes after workout.

The Coconut Almond Smoothie

This is undoubtedly one of the best protein shakes after workout. Load up your blender with a cup of ice, a cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk, a teaspoon of almond extract, half a dozen unsalted almonds and a teaspoon of grated coconut. Hold off on adding the almonds until the very end. Drop them in after the other ingredients have been thoroughly mixed. Blend the almonds for about half a minute on the low setting. The end result yields 30 grams of protein and 250 calories.

Spinach Smoothie

If you are on the prowl for the best protein shake for women after workout, give the spinach smoothie a chance. This tasty smoothie is heavy on the protein and nutrients and light on the sugar. Add the following ingredients to your blender:

• A cup of ice
• Half a scoop of vanilla protein powder
• A tablespoon of almonds
• 2/3 cup of frozen spinach
• ½ teaspoon of honey
• A tablespoon of shelled pistachios
• 2/3 cup of almond milk

Blend on high for a minute. Your spinach smoothie will reload your body with upwards of 20 grams of protein, 40 grams of carbs and more than 300 calories.

The Gingerbread Smoothie

This is one of the tastiest post-workout smoothies you will ever consume. It is hands-down one of the best protein shakes after workout. Start out with five ice cubes. Then add the following:

• A six ounce cup of Greek yogurt
• A teaspoon of ginger
• A teaspoon of cinnamon
• A cup of milk
• A scoop of vanilla protein powder
• A scoop of chocolate protein powder

Blend these ingredients together, drop a straw in the resulting mixture and you will have one of the best protein shakes after workout on your hands.

The Nutty Protein Shake

Most people assume nuts do not belong in smoothies. However, if you select the right nuts and use enough water and ice, a nutty protein shake will really hit the spot following a strenuous workout. Begin with 1/3 cup of water and a heaping cup of ice. Add in half an ounce of walnuts, half an ounce of roasted almonds and a couple tablespoons of ground flax seeds. The final ingredient is a scoop of vanilla protein powder. If you haven't hopped on the vegan bandwagon, mix in half a cup of cottage cheese.

Play around with the blending process with each attempt. Some will find they prefer the texture of the smoothie when adding the walnuts and almonds at the very end, after the other ingredients have been blended. Try blending the nuts at the very end on the low setting for about 20 seconds. This smoothie provides 35 grams of protein, 400 calories and 11 grams of carbs.

Butterscotch Protein Smoothie

This simple smoothie tastes amazing and won't take long to create. Start out with 1/3 cup of water and a cup of ice. Add a scoop of chocolate protein powder, a tablespoon of butterscotch instant jello pudding mix, three tablespoons of ground flax seed and two tablespoons of peanut butter. If you aren't a vegan, mix in a couple tablespoons of cottage cheese for some extra protein. Blend for a full minute or until the smoothie achieves your preferred texture. This shake has less than 20 grams of fat, 20 grams of carbohydrates and enough calories (375) to help you rebound from a taxing session at the fitness center.

The Apple Pie Smoothie

Who doesn't love apple pie? Now you can have it in smoothie form! This scrumptious smoothie has few ingredients but tastes absolutely fantastic. Start out by removing the seeds and core from an apple. Add it to your smoothie maker along with a heaping scoop of vanilla protein powder, a teaspoon of cinnamon, a quarter-cup of walnuts, half a dozen ice cubes and a cup of water. Blend on the highest possible setting for a full minute. This delicious concoction has 29 grams of protein, 31 grams of carbs and more than 400 calories.