Your Protein Shake is No Longer a Protein Shake
Posted on January 18th, 2012 by Matt Schoeneberger
Client: I started drinking a protein shake to get a little more protein in my diet.
Me: Cool! Are you using a pre-made shake or making your own?
Client: Making my own. I use 1 scoop of protein, a banana, 2 tbs peanut butter
Me: That’s not a protein shake.
Client: It has protein in it.
Me: So does a Double Quarter Pounder With Cheese.
413 calories, 17 grams of fat, 36 grams of carbohydrate, and 33 grams of protein does not equal a protein shake.
The take-home lesson here is be careful that your protein shake isn’t turning into a meal replacement shake. There’s nothing wrong with meal replacement shakes, except when they’re not replacing but instead adding a meal, know what I mean? Know which one you need and know how to make it.
By the way, the shake above is actually pretty damn good with chocolate protein powder and ice 
so what DOES make a protein shake?
Sandy, in my mind a protein shake is just that – protein. Take a scoop of whey and put it in water. When you add juice or milk, or start blending in other foods it becomes a meal replacement. Neither one is inherently bad or good and their usefulness will depend on the rest of your eating plan.
Thanks for saying hello!
ohh – I see…and agree…I have a tendency to throw a little somethng else in my shakes – fruit – chia seeds…celery – guess that’s where my “hidden” calories are hiding – will have to take a closer look at what I am adding ….thanks!