Protein is an essential nutrient needed in the body for increasing muscle growth, developing muscle tissues, and getting in shape.
One way to get an adequate quantity of protein is by consuming protein powders from protein sources like meat, milk, and many more.
However, most times, the protein powder might not taste good owing to the presence of chunks in it. As a result, it leads us to handle gritty protein powders.
Table of Contents
How to Get Rid of Gritty Textured Protein Powder
1. Use a creamier base
Protein powders become smoother when mixed with milk. Therefore, you can use greek yogurt, coconut milk, or almond milk as they enhance the smoothening of the powder without adding extra calories.
2. Make use of fresh fruit
Fresh fruits like bananas and avocados improve the texture of your protein powder and even add extra nutrients.
3. Blend
Another way to get rid of particles in your protein powder is by blending them in a blender. This method smooths out the graininess and mixes it well.
4. Add the right quantity of liquid
Do well to have the correct amount of liquid in your protein powder if you use a shaker cup. The fluid can be either water or milk.
Moreover, your protein powder is likely lumpy if you don’t use the right amount of liquid. Get a smooth protein powder by adding enough water and shaking it thoroughly.
5. Don’t leave it for a long time
After blending your smoothie, don’t let it sit. While in the process, the ingredients tend to separate, and you might end up with a grainier smoothie.
However, if the smoothie sits for too long, you can resort to blending it all over again before intake.
Why are Plant-based Protein Powders Gritty?
Unlike whey protein, plant-based protein powders tend to be gritty since they are made from plants, not milk. The texture of a plant-based protein powder differs depending on the plant protein source used.
Additionally, plant-based proteins can be gritty because they are generally less processed and refined. As a result, plant proteins will have a natural, unadulterated texture and flavor.
This flavor is advantageous as unprocessed natural stuff will likely retain more nutrients. However, a plant-based protein is the best option if you intend to reduce your intake of processed foods.
What Causes Lumps or Grittiness in Protein Powders?
Most protein powders like pea protein powder and brown rice protein powder come with protein and fat molecules that draw a specified water measure. However, it gets lumpy if you fail to store the powder in a cool, dry place.
The brain behind the lumpiness of protein powder after a liquid is added then revealed. The hydrophilic molecules that attract moisture appear to be doing their job.
This is likely an even bigger problem if you use a whole-food-based organic protein powder that doesn’t contain anti-caking additives like silicon dioxide and lecithin. Moisture absorption makes drinking difficult and leads to pesky clumps. However, it doesn’t affect the quality and potency of your protein powder.
Mixing a Silky-Smooth Protein Shake
Protein shakes need to be a smooth and perfectly creamy drink. You will likely lose interest in it if it contains chewy and grainy lumps.
1. Keep your powder in a cool place
This method is always clearly written on almost every dry food container, but people tend not to follow it. Humidity and heat change the consistency of your protein powder completely.
You can keep a silica packet in the bottom of your powder container if you live in a very humid place.
2. Use proper tools
A shaker bottle is an excellent option for smoothening your protein powder. A high-speed blender is as well not a bad idea. If you use a blender, add all your ingredients and blend until you get a smooth paste.
On the other hand, if your go-to is a shaker bottle, add half of your liquid, put in the protein powder, and shake. After getting a smooth paste, add the leftover liquid and shake again.
If you can’t get a blender or shaker bottle, you can get rid of grits by pouring about ¼ of the liquid into a mug, adding the protein powder, and stirring continuously till the clumps disappear.
Another option is to break up the remaining clumps with your spoon, after which you can add the rest of the liquid and stir.
3. Add your powder to your liquid
Adding powder is a subtle but effective way of getting rid of grits in your protein shake. Even though it doesn’t guarantee a lump-free drink, it still helps.
4. Put some ice in your shaker bottle
Those who are making use of shaker bottles can apply this method. Most shaker bottles come with a tiny plastic or metal “mixing ball,” but adding a little ice to ease the lumps is not bad.
Also, smoothies are best-served ice cold.
5. Sieve, shake, and break up lumps
Like cocoa powder, when you store protein powders for a long time, they tend to get lumpy and gritty. However, you don’t have to dispose of them because of that; you can shake up your container or dismantle the lumps with your fork.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you smooth blend protein powder?
You can smooth-blend your protein powder by scooping the powder in your blender, adding your liquid into it, mixing it vigorously, and blending. Your liquid does not have to be water; it can be milk or yogurt.
However, it can get grainy again if the shake sits too long. When this happens, you can blend the shake all over again.
Why does my protein shake taste so grainy?
Depending on the type, the grains in protein powders may result from diverse reasons. As for plant-based proteins, the grain is a result of the fact that they are obtained from unprocessed natural sources.
What is the best thing to mix protein powder with?
The best liquid to mix protein powder with is water. However, you can also use milk to mix it.
Conclusion
We hope this article has successfully pointed out how you can eliminate the grittiness of a protein powder. However, you use a blender, shaker bottle, or even another liquid apart from water to mix it.
If you found this article helpful, check other fitness-related articles on ExpertFitness.org.
Other Related Articles:
- Can You Bring Protein Powder On A Plane
- Why Does Protein Powder Make My Stomach Hurt
- Can You Substitute Protein Powder For Flour
Nathan Lloyd, MSc
LICENSED PERSONAL TRAINER
I’m a personal trainer, based in Boulder, Colorado.
I service clients physically in the Boulder area, mainly in the ONE Boulder Fitness Gym, but am also available for online consulting and coaching.
If you’re interested in my personal coaching programs, please contact me via the contact page.