Will protein smoothies help me build muscle and lose weight?

Protein is essential in building muscle.  It is also vital in cell production, for the manufacture of enzymes and hormones. Protein is also needed for cardiovascular function, muscle contraction, growth, and healing. Without adequate protein, we could damage our muscles and may lead to injury. Some of the foods that are high in protein are meat, fish, cheese, tofu, beans, lentils, yogurt, eggs, nuts, and seeds. It may be hard for some to prepare meals in between workouts, so a protein shake may be the solution. So,consuming a protein-rich smoothie after a workout, during breakfast, or before going to bed will help you achieve your weight-loss goals and will yield better results.

We have rounded up some of the best muscle building smoothies. Not only that these shakes are nutritious, they are absolutely delicious and refreshing too!

Coffee Java Protein Shake

Strawberry Orange Smoothie

Protein source: Greek yogurt
Take a (sort-of- not-really) vacation when sipping this tropical smoothie. It calls for Greek yogurt and coconut milk, strawberries, and orange juice.

Kale, Berry, and Açai Power Smoothie

Protein source: flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp protein powder
Green smoothie ingredients sometimes get a bad rap, but banana and berries mask the bold taste of kale in this recipe. Bonus: The tablespoon of açai powder may help boost energy, while cinnamon helps reduce inflammation.

Roasted Strawberry Protein Smoothie

Protein source: cottage cheese
For a serious flavor boost, roast strawberries before tossing them into this blend. The creamy cottage cheese is a tasty alternative for those not partial to Greek yogurt’s tangy flavor profile.

Classic Green Monster Smoothie

Protein source: peanut butter, chia seeds, protein powder
Holy nutrients, Batman! The spinach alone serves up vitamins A, C, and K, fiber, magnesium, and calcium. Allergic to peanuts? Try one of these tasty peanut butter alternatives.

Oatmeal Cookie Protein Shake

Protein source: oats, almonds, almond milk
Don't let the name fool you, this "oatmeal cookie" smoothie still has a great nutritional quality with almonds, almond butter, and whole oats. 

 
Strawberry Banana Smoothie With Chia Seeds

Protein source: chia seeds
Don’t fix what isn’t broken, right? Bland but nutrient-packed chia seeds sneak protein into the classic strawberry-banana smoothie combo.

Blueberry Mango Smoothie

Protein source: Greek yogurt, flax
Really, you can sip this smoothie anytime—but the fresh taste of antioxidant-rich blueberries and mango is a convincing reason to get out of bed in the morning.

Papaya Ginger Mint Smoothie

Protein source: Greek yogurt
Thanks to its high fiber content, papaya has been shown to promote digestion, says nutritionist Michelle Davenport, Ph.D. So if breakfast isn’t sitting well with your stomach, stick to this smoothie Rx. Bonus: It also includes ginger.

Mean Green Hemp Protein Smoothie

Protein source: hemp, protein powder, wheatgrass powder
A sugar hack for smoothies? Pitted dates. They’re a natural, fiber-filled sweetener that will satisfy a sweet tooth without added sugars (they also break down easier in a blender when soaked beforehand).

Green Warrior Protein Smoothie

Protein source: hemp hearts
A quarter cup of hemp hearts—seeds similar to sunflower seeds and pine nuts—provides about 15 grams of protein, almost 3 grams of fiber, and may help to prevent hypertension, Davenport says. Mixing them with bananas and apples makes for a sweet, creamy sip.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie

Protein source: peanut butter, protein powder
It’s peanut-butter-jelly time! Berries, peanut butter, oats, and protein powder give the bread (and taste buds) a break.

Vanilla Matcha Avocado Smoothie

Protein source: vegan protein powder
So, those amazing benefits of green tea? Get them by sprinkling a half teaspoon of matcha powder—finely ground green tea—into this smoothie.

 Blueberry Banana Protein Smoothie

Protein source: Greek yogurt
Here’s a sunny twist on a staple breakfast. But feel free to break this recipe’s rules by adding whatever fruit or greens you have on hand.

Strawberry-Banana Quinoa Smoothie

Protein source: Greek yogurt, quinoa, chia seeds
Not only is it a complete protein, but quinoa is a prime source of fiber, iron, and magnesium. And its taste is cleverly paired with other smoothie ingredients, including strawberries, bananas, and vanilla almond milk.

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Protein Shake

Protein source: protein powder
Between the dark chocolate protein powder and the cocoa powder, chocolate lovers are going to want this drink morning, noon, and night. Which is fine, since dark chocolate is high in antioxidants and can help regulate stress.

3-Ingredient High Protein Cantaloupe Smoothie

Protein source: cottage cheese, whey protein powder
Fruit salads are a great snack—almost as great as this creamy mix of cantaloupe chunks, cottage cheese, and whey protein. 

Cherry Almond Smoothie

Protein source: PB2, flaxseeds, protein powder
Put a craving for cherry ice cream on, well, ice when sipping this cherry smoothie instead. Cherries are also an anti-inflammatory, so this snack choice is pretty painless. (Get it?)

Chocolate Espresso Smoothie

Protein source: protein powder
Order up! This latte-like smoothie skips the sugar and uses greenish bananas and chocolate protein powder instead.

Razzle Dazzle Pineapple Smoothie

Protein source: protein powder
If you like piña coladas... then spring for this smoothie! Pineapple, coconut milk, and raspberries mimic the signature cocktail’s taste, while protein powder ramps up nutrition. Tiny drink umbrellas optional.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

Protein source: peanut butter, whey protein powder
Treat yo’self to a creamy, candy-inspired smoothie that fuels both muscles and taste buds (and is way more nutritious than a Reese’s). 7

Carrot Cake Protein Smoothie

Protein source: Greek yogurt, protein powder
For a dessert that won’t undo a workout, blend carrot juice, almond milk, two bananas, and sugar’s healthy swap, cinnamon. Then sip. Aaaahh.

Green Vanilla Almond Post-Workout Shake

Protein source: almond butter, protein powder
Milkshakes can go green too—and this one excerpted from Clean Green Drinks gets rave reviews. The sweetness of the banana, coconut milk, and vanilla protein powder overpowers the spinach flavor while keeping things healthy.

Berry, Pomegranate and Acai Smoothie

Protein source: Greek yogurt
Keep recovery simple with apple juice, berries, pomegranate juice and Greek yogurt. Not only are they tasty, but pomegranates have high contents of vitamins C and K, fiber, and antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties, Davenport says.

Chocolate Strawberry Almond Protein Smoothie

Protein source: almonds, maca powder, hemp, protein powder
This chocolatey smoothie is nutrient-packed. Chocolate sweetens up the action, while almonds bring protein and fiber and strawberries pack the antioxidants.

Peach Hemp Protein Smoothie

Protein source: hemp protein powder
Sit back and unwind with this refreshing, fruity smoothie that’s basically fro-yo in a glass (but with non-dairy, delicious hemp milk instead of moo juice). You’re welcome.

Orange Mango Recovery Smoothie

Protein source: protein powder, cashews
After protein, super spice turmeric is what sets this recovery smoothie apart. The spice is an anti-inflammatory that’s also high in antioxidants.

Spinach Banana Smoothie

Protein source: Greek yogurt, almond butter, protein powder
Handfuls of puréed spinach may not sound appetizing (unless you’re Popeye), but a ripe banana sweetens the taste. Cheers to sipping down vitamin A and iron from the spinach without tasting it.