Why Do Protein Shakes Taste So Bad?

Wednesday 27th March 2024

Are you looking for a way to bulk up? Do you need to increase protein as a part of your new diet? If so, you have probably thought about drinking protein shakes. I remember that I was thinking the same thing. Unfortunately, I was not pleased with the first protein shake I drank!

It tasted terrible. It tasted like a mix of metal, chalkboard, and cardboard! I was wondering why it tasted so bad. Then, I did some research, I found a few possibilities, and made my protein shake taste better!

Short Answer: The Ingredients Don’t Work Well Together

So, why do protein shakes taste so bad? Your protein shake could be tasting bad due to the absence of natural ingredients, the presence of artificial sweeteners, an issue with the texture, or because you simply don’t like that specific flavor.

Let’s take a closer look at some of these reasons below!

Long Answer: Exploring the Taste of Protein Shakes

There’s a lot that goes into the taste of a protein shake. Let’s explore some of the most common problems before discussing how to make them taste better!

There Aren’t Any Natural Ingredients in the Protein Shake

If you are wondering, “why does whey protein taste so bad,” one problem with your protein shake could be the absence of any natural ingredients. In order for protein shakes to last on the shelf, a lot of companies remove natural ingredients because they could expire before the shake is purchased.

Furthermore, some companies try to remove natural sugar from their protein shakes and powders in an effort to reduce the carbohydrate count. Even though we’re moving sugar could keep the carbohydrate count low, it will also make the protein shake taste bad.

Therefore, if you are looking for a way to improve the taste of your protein shake, consider looking for a protein powder with natural ingredients in it. For example, you may want to find a protein shake that uses natural cane sugar.

Or, if you are looking for a natural sweetener that will keep your carbohydrate count low, consider looking for a protein shake that use a Stevia. This is another natural sweetener that will not dramatically increase the carbohydrate count of your protein. The reality is that natural ingredients will simply taste better.

The Texture of the Protein Shake Is Off

In addition to the flavor of the protein shake, the texture of your protein shake will also impact its taste. When you are used to eating or drinking something, you are used to a specific texture. Your smoothie should feel like a smoothie on your tongue.

A milkshake should feel like a milkshake on your tongue. If your protein shake does not have the right texture, it is not going to taste very good.

When discussing the texture of your protein shake, we are talking about the mesh count.

If the mesh count is too low, your protein shake is going to taste like chalk. If the mesh count is high, the protein powder is finer and will create a smoother shake.

In some cases, it might be something you are doing to the protein shake that is messing up the mesh count. For example, a lot of people like to add hemp, flax, and other sources of protein to their protein shake.

If you are wondering, “why does plant protein taste so bad,” the answer is the mesh count. Milk protein has a different mesh count from plant protein. Think about using a protein powder that is based on milk instead of plants. This could improve the texture of your protein shake.

The Artificial Sweeteners in Your Protein Shake Leave an Unpleasant Aftertaste

Next, you should also take a look at the artificial sweeteners that are present in your protein shake. For example, those wondering, “why does vanilla protein taste so bad” could be using a protein powder with artificial sweeteners.

Artificial sweeteners will leave behind an aftertaste that you might not enjoy. If you have ever consumed diet soda, there is a chance that you have become familiar with this aftertaste.

A lot of diet sodas use aspartame as their artificial sweetener. If you don’t mind the taste of aspartame in diet soda, then you might have better luck with a protein shake that uses this specific option.

Of course, there are plenty of other artificial sweeteners as well. For example, some protein powders use an artificial sweetener call sucralose. Others might use an artificial sweetener called saccharin.

Everybody handles these artificial sweeteners differently. Some people like specific artificial sweeteners while hating others. If you don’t like the taste of your protein shake, think about switching up the sweetener.

You Aren’t Following the Order Instructions on the Protein Powder

Finally, you should also check and make sure you are following the instructions on the protein shake itself. For example, did you add enough water to the protein shake? Did you add enough milk to the protein shake? Did the protein shake call for an egg?

Make sure you’re getting the ratios right as well. For example, there are some protein powders that provide instructions using the metric system. You need to make sure you are getting the conversions correct.

Or, if you are using a bigger glass or container, make sure you multiply the ingredients appropriately. If the mixing ratios are correct, then the taste is going to be off.

Lastly, make sure that you are blending your protein powder for the correct amount of time. If the texture of the protein powder is still off, consider blending at for a longer amount of time at a higher speed. This could chop up the “chalky” feeling of the protein powder, allowing it to go down smoother.

Your Blender Is Not Up to the Task

There’s no way around it. Blenders are expensive. On the other hand, you also have to get a blender that can actually handle protein powder. If your protein shakes taste disgusting and your pea protein tastes horrible, the culprit could be the blender.

Protein powder is exactly that: pure protein. If you have ever picked up a steak at the grocery store, you know that protein is happy. Now, imagine a blender trying to cut through thick protein powder. It might have a hard time doing so.

Therefore, you may want to invest in a better blender. If you are drinking your protein shake and feeling slumps entering your mouth, you know this can taste absolutely disgusting. That is because your blender is not mixing the protein shake even lie. Even though you might be tempted to stick something in the blender to mix it up, this is simply dangerous and could damage the blender while placing your hand in harm’s way.

If you got a blender with sharper blades that mix at a higher speed, you might create a more uniform texture in your protein shake. Getting a better blender can go a long way.

These are just a few of the most common reasons why your protein shake might not taste very good. What are some of the ways you can improve the taste?

How Can You Improve the Taste of Your Protein Shake

If you are tired of asking, “why does pea protein taste so bad, “some of the tips you may want to follow to improve the taste of your protein powder include:

  • Think about adding in a natural sweetener. There are protein powders that come without any sweeteners at all. That way, you can avoid artificial sweeteners. Then, use a natural sweetener such as honey, maple syrup, or even agave.
  • You can also add fruit to your protein shake. Some of the top options include mashed berries or bananas. This can improve the texture of your protein shake while also providing some natural sugar.
  • Instead of using water or milk, you may want to use fruit juice instead. Orange juice is a popular option.
  • Finally, consider using a flavor extract. If you add vanilla extract or almond extract, this can also improve the taste of your protein powder.

With these simple steps, you can dramatically improve the taste of your protein shake!

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