Everyone loves a good protein smoothie. It’s an excellent start to your day, or end a workout, or just for that energy boost needed to keep you going. Smoothie options out there are endless and health returns unlimited. Plus they’re speedy to whirl up.

But what if you’re longing for something other than a shake and still want to capitalize on the healthy benefits of protein powder?

There are many ways you can ‘power up’ with protein powder beyond your daily smoothie. You can slip protein powder into any number of recipes without compromising nutrition quality. From muffins to quick breads to granola to a myriad of savoury dishes, stirring a couple scoops or more of protein powder into the mix before baking or cooking is an excellent solution to boosting your protein power.¹

Like many companies, Botanica has two flavoured protein powders – chocolate and vanilla. But don’t let the flavour profiles limit your creative ideas. The flavours are so subtle, each one can be used in a variety of both sweet and savoury dishes while adding nutrients and powering up your energy.

Breakfast

Start your day with these simple ideas:

1. Whisk a scoop of protein into eggs for French toast.
2. Add a scoop of protein to your favourite waffle recipe.
3. Stir into yogurt and top with fruit, nuts and toasted grains.
4. Add a scoop of protein powder to your favourite pancake recipe.
5. Make a batch of protein granola to use throughout the week.

Lunch & Dinner

Savoury dishes benefit from a protein boost too.

1. Add a scoop of vanilla protein to coconut curry, butternut squash or pumpkin soups for a protein boost and smooth, decadent finish. Top with toasted coconut flakes before serving.
2. Stir in a scoop of chocolate protein into a hearty pot of chilli. A true Mexican chilli includes unsweetened chocolate adding depth, flavour and colour.
3. Use a scoop of protein powder to replace ¼ cup (60 mL) flour in your favourite muffin recipe. This may require a little experimentation as every recipe is a little different!
4. Whirl 2 tbsp (30 mL) vanilla protein powder with ¼ cup (60 mL) olive oil and 1 tbsp (15 mL) seasoned rice vinegar. Delicious drizzled over roasted vegetables such as green beans, broccoli and cauliflower.

Snacks & Desserts

As for desserts or snacks, there are endless possibilities with protein powder.

1. Cut sugar cravings by having healthy snacks on hand like this chocolate chia pudding
2. Power up chocolate popsicles with some chocolate protein. It adds a rich creaminess that is otherwise difficult to achieve without supplementing it with cream or milk.
3. Add vanilla protein to a crème Anglais sauce for fruit salads
4. Stir a couple scoops of vanilla or chocolate protein powder into plain yogurt to taste and serve with fruits for dipping.
5. Punch up vanilla pudding with vanilla protein to use in trifles
6. Make energy and protein bars or bites to freeze and thaw as needed. Try our lemon coconut bliss balls recipe.

Experiment and share some of your own creative ideas and post them on social media sites using hashtag #bwell.