Protein shakes are a great way to start the day, but they can seem less appealing as the cold weather sets in and we begin to crave warm foods for breakfast. Motivating yourself to drink that icy cold shake or smoothie might simply be too challenging. Thankfully, there are some strategies you can employ to ensure you are still getting a breakfast that is rich in protein (the hardest macronutrient to get with ‘normal’ breakfast foods) but also warms you up.
Warming Your Shakes Up
The easiest strategy is to simply heat the shakes up after they have been made. Not every shake lends itself to being warmed, but many are just as delicious hot as cold. To prepare a warmed shake, make it as you normally would first, but leave out the ice and the fiber powder. After it has been thoroughly blended, heat it up to the desired temperature either in the microwave or on the stove top. You can add the fiber powder now, though I might mix it instead with some water on the side to accommodate the texture we expect of a warm drink.
Protein-Fortified Oatmeal
If you don’t feel like making a warmed shake, then you can also add the protein to a bowl of oatmeal. In this case, determine how much water you will need (generally 2x the amount of the oats you are using) and mix the protein into that amount of water and/or coconut milk. After the powder has been thoroughly mixed, you can add it to the oatmeal and cook as you normally would.
1/2 a cup of oatmeal (uncooked; 1 cup cooked) has about 160 calories, 29 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, and 6 grams of protein. Adding the Vegalite to it, and a handful of berries, will make it a thoroughly nutritious meal. You can add a half-serving of fiber, as well, though you may wish to add more liquid in this case so it doesn’t become too solid!
Other Strategies
The two strategies listed above are probably the easiest, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative! One of the great things about protein powder is how easy it is to incorporate into different recipes in order to boost the total protein content. You can use it to supplement any meal which is low in protein to make it more satiating, including breakfasts.
Do you have a “go-to” strategy for getting a protein-rich breakfast during cold weather? Let us know in the comments below!
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