This delicious After Workout Protein Shake is the perfect post-exercise fuel. Packed with protein, fiber, and wholesome ingredients, it helps replenish and refuel your body after a workout.
After Workout Protein Shake
Today I’m handing the floor to my husband, the fitness-minded member of our household and my trainer at the gym. After a stretch of travel, I tasked him with helping me stay disciplined for the next six weeks. He’s sharing a shake recipe we’ve been using as part of our routine. Timing your nutrition around workouts is important for recovery and performance—this shake is designed with that in mind.
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Recently Jenny and I started a six-week challenge with a few simple rules: one cheat meal a week, a small number of treats, and a consistent balance of protein, complex carbohydrates, and fiber. We loosely monitor calories—Jenny aims for about 1200 calories per day—and I guide the workouts and meal options. The goal is sustainable discipline and measurable progress.
One shake I (Cullen) make regularly is this post-workout blend. We use Vega Sport Performance Protein in this recipe, though you can substitute any protein powder you prefer, including Vega One or another brand. The Vega Sport formula provides a higher protein content along with amino acids, L-glutamine, and digestive enzymes that many find useful after exercise.
Protein Shake Ingredients
I first discovered Vega at a Whole Foods sampling. Vega One is an all-in-one nutritional shake that appealed because it blends vegetables, fiber, omega-3s, and protein with added antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals. Plant-based proteins—like pea, safflower, brown rice, and alfalfa—have a distinct taste that can take time to appreciate. This recipe smooths and balances those flavors, making the shake enjoyable even for picky eaters.
If you’re new to plant proteins, give yourself a few days to adjust. I recommend trying this shake first and then trying the powder with water to see how you like it solo. To be clear: this is not a sponsored post; we simply enjoy adding more plant-based nutrition into our routine.
You can swap in your preferred protein powder—this recipe will work with most options. For those who want the higher protein and recovery-focused profile, Vega Sport offers about 26 g of protein per scoop along with additional amino acids and enzymes.
We are sharing what works for us, not offering medical or fitness advice. Consult a professional before starting any new diet or exercise program.
How To Make The Perfect Protein Shake
Start by adding the spinach, banana, rolled oats, walnuts, cinnamon, and ground flax seed to your blender. (If you forget the spinach until later, it still blends fine.) This recipe is sized to fit a 600-watt Nutribullet, but any blender will work.
Next pour in the water and unsweetened almond milk, then add your protein powder on top. When using a Nutribullet, adding the powder last helps prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the cup. Finish with a handful of ice.
Blend until smooth and reached the consistency you prefer.
Including oats and walnuts gives a fuller, nuttier flavor and increases calories. For a lower-calorie version, reduce or omit the oats and walnuts—complete ingredients yield around 500 calories, while removing them lowers it to roughly 300–400 calories.
This shake is simple, nutritious, and easy to make—just wholesome ingredients and no artificial additives.
One for Jenny and one for me!
After Workout Protein Shake
Equipment
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Blender
Ingredients
- Small handful of organic baby spinach
- 1 medium banana
- 2 tablespoons old fashioned rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons walnuts
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground flax seed
- 1/2 cup filtered water
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 scoop Vega Protein Powder or protein powder of choice
- Small handful of ice
Instructions
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Place spinach, banana, oats, walnuts, cinnamon, and flax seed into a blender or Nutribullet. NOTE: This recipe will fit into a 600-watt Nutribullet.
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Add the water and almond milk.
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Add the protein powder on top, then finish with ice.
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Blend until smooth and enjoy.