Why do you want to build muscle? Are you trying to tone up that body to look better or build muscle as part of an overall weight loss program where you combine nutrition, cardiovascluar exercise and muscle building? No matter your goal, protein plays an important role in muscle building and we thought we would share a few yummy protein shake recipes with you today.

The first question is often, do I need to take protein supplements at all? And yes, this is a very good question – the general consensus is that if you are regularly exercising for endurance and muscle building – somewhere around 1gram of protein per 1lb of weight is what you need. The first place to look is your diet – how many grams of protein are you getting from your diet?

In my case, I was consistently under the recommended intake and so supplementation is something I have chosen – you may not need any protein shakes at all.

Also, let me assure you, we’re not fanatics about building huge muscles – my personal goal has been to drop 15-lbs, lose the love handles and belly fat that has been accumulating over the last 7-years or so (oddly enough corresponding to the birth of my second child…hmmmm)

Protein shake recipes are important in that a good shake recipe will mean you are much more likely to stick to a routine of a shake following each workout – the best time to feed your body the protein it needs to repair and build more muscle.

I have been using whey protein in my daily workout regime, and have a few favorite whey protein shake recipes that make my post workout re-fueling something I very much look forward to.

Protein Shake Recipe #1

For a simple protein shake, I like to mix whey protein with mile or flavored milks – that way I get a good mix of protein, calcium and additional vitamins such as vitamin D. This simple protein shake recipe is also extremely fast and convenient lending itself well to busy, hectic, mobile lifestyles.

Protein Shake Recipe #2

Another variation is to add ingredients such as peanut butter or almond butter along with a banana to my shake which thickens the shake up and makes it more decadent and creamy – these are my favorite protein shake recipes I save for days when things aren’t quite so hectic.

Protein Shake Recipe #3

If you are looking to really combine the benefits of a smoothie with a shake, throw in some frozen wild blueberries, some plain low-fat yogurt and additional fruit that you like pumping up your protein shake recipe to not only give you the post-workout protein you need, but also power-up your energy and immune system to really give your body that edge.

If you determine that you do not get the proper amount of protein from your diet and you are picking up the intensity of your workouts, then consider trying whey protein and fitting these delicious, yummy protein shake recipes into your daily routine.