You may not be able to start the day without your morning coffee, but have you considered what the effect of the added cream and sugar is having on your weight loss efforts?
Iced coffee protein shakes are a great alternative to get your caffeine fix, provide your body with antioxidants and other nutrients while losing weight at the same time.
Why a shake and not a smoothie?
Many people love incorporating smoothies as part of their diet. What a lot of people aren’t aware of though, is that those smoothies are very high in sugar due to all the fruit.
Even if sugars are in their ‘natural’ form from fruit, it can still have a negative effect on your weight loss efforts.
Drinking regular fruit-filled smoothies can stall your weight loss efforts. Not only are you not aware of how many calories and how much sugar you are drinking, a fruit-based smoothie is also less filling than a protein-based shake. This means that you will want to eat again sooner.
What to drink instead?
A protein-based breakfast (or a pre- or post-workout snack) won’t spike your insulin and will keep you feeling fuller for longer.
The problem is, sometimes eating a full meal isn’t possible. You may be in a rush, it may be too hot, or you must just not feel like eating.
In this case, and an iced coffee protein shake is an excellent substitution.
The protein will keep you full, and the coffee – apart from perking you up – has some additional benefits, too.
Caffeine is a stimulant, and when it stimulates the nervous system, the nervous system, in turn, signals the fat cells to break down fat.
Caffeine also increases the levels of adrenaline in our blood. Adrenaline travels through the blood to the fat tissues. It sends signals to break down the fats, which then get released into the blood.
Combining your coffee and protein powder – and a couple other select ingredients – turns your average shake into a nutrient powerhouse.
9 Easy Iced Coffee Protein Shake Recipes
Iced Coffee Protein Shake
Recipe and image from: The Protein Chef
This flavourful iced coffee protein shake from The Protein Chef has a whopping 28 grams of protein inside!
The vanilla from the almond milk, cocoa, and cinnamon combine to give a rich flavour to the coffee.
If you freeze your coffee in an ice cube tray, then you can simply combine all the ingredients in a shaker bottle, shake, and drink!
30g Iced Protein Coffee
Recipe and image from: Fit Mom Journey
This powerhouse iced coffee shake has a very special (an unusual) ingredient – collagen.
Collagen is made up almost entirely of protein, and also helps to restore hair, skin, and nails.
To allow the collagen to dissolve properly, stir it into in hot coffee. Then add plenty ice blocks to cool it down before adding the other ingredients.
Men’s Fitness Iced Coffee Protein Shake
Recipe and image from:Men’s Fitness
When you’re out and about, or away from home, you don’t have access to blenders or freezers.
This recipe is perfect for those times – all you need is your shaker bottle, a serving of your protein, and access to a coffee shop.
Chocolate Coffee Protein Shake
Recipe and image from: The Spruce
Chocolate and coffee will always a perfect combination in my books.
This recipe uses chocolate protein powder (and optional chocolate syrup) for a decadent, simple breakfast shake.
Chocolate Mocha Protein Shake
Recipe and image from: Kim’s Cravings
If you are a fan of the Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino then this is a must-try recipe!
This shake uses chocolate protein powder, cinnamon, and even vanilla extract. You can use chilled coffee, or cold brew concentrate.
Vanilla Coffee Protein Shake
Recipe and image from: Hungry Hannah’s
We’ve seen a lot of ice coffee protein shakes that use chocolate or cocoa, but this one goes backs to basics with vanilla.
The vanilla flavour comes from the vanilla-flavoured protein powder, as well as the vanilla-flavoured Greek yoghurt (which adds a burst of protein, too).
Iced Coffee Protein Smoothie with Nut Butter
Recipe and image from: Eat Live Travel Write
This iced coffee protein smoothie is super filling thanks to the cashew nut butter in addition to the protein powder.
This makes an excellent, filling breakfast on a hot day.
Thai Iced Coffee Protein Shake
Recipe and image from: Jennifer Meyering
I went to Thailand for my honeymoon and been wanting to go back ever since.
This Thai Iced Coffee Protein Shake brings a little of Thailand home, with the cardamom and vanilla flavours, but skips the heavily sweetened condensed milk.
Hazelnut, Peanut Butter & Coffee Protein Shake
Recipe and image from: The First Taste
A double serving of nutty deliciousness can be found in this iced coffee protein shake.
The hazelnut comes from hazelnut-flavoured coffee, and then peanut butter is added to provide some substantial whole-food protein in addition to the protein powder.
