How To Stop Your Protein Shaker From Smelling

/in

Most fitness fanatics who have used a shaker to up their protein intake have probably found that there’s one side-effect that lingers long after the aches of your workout have subsided – the smell. If you’ve not been able to give your shaker a wash straight away then there’s a chance that you’ve had the nasty whiff of leftover shake greeting you, and once the smell is in the bottle it’s very difficult to get out.

Why it smells

Simply put, it’s bacteria.  Protein is great for us as it helps supplement a healthy diet to promote strength or muscle growth but bacteria also thrive on the same protein, which can lead to a rapid growth in a short space of time.

The moist and protein rich environment is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and when coupled with any bacteria transferred from your saliva when drinking can start to kick up quite a stink if left unwashed overnight or for a couple of days.

How to clean it

Ideally, you’d clean and wash out your shaker with hot water and washing up liquid as soon as you’ve finished drinking your shake to remove any leftover mix.

But if you’re at the gym, chances are you’re not going to have access to a washing up bowl, so the best approach would be to rinse it out with hot water until you get a chance to wash it properly.

If you’ve any residue leftover it can become glue-like and hard to clean up if left to sit for too long, increasing the bacteria build up.  Filling the bottle with hot water and washing up liquid before leaving to soak for about 20 minutes should be enough to loosen any leftover mix.

After you’ve washed your shaker it’s important to dry it thoroughly as other types of bacteria can thrive in any excess water or moisture leftover so dig in with a clean tea-towel or kitchen paper and make sure it’s completely dry.

If you’ve not been able to get rid of the smell then try adding a teaspoon of baking powder or a cup of vinegar to some hot water and leave to soak in for an hour before washing as normal.

And if that doesn’t do the trick then it’s probably time for a new shaker.

The Kingline solution

As the smell in your shaker is produced by a build-up of bacteria, the ideal scenario would be to remove the bacteria from forming in the first place and stopping the stink as a result.

Kingline antibacterial technology can be added into plastics, like protein shakers, and can help inhibit the growth of bacteria by up to 99%.  While you’ll still need to clean it as usual, you can at least be safe in the knowledge that your smelly shaker days are over.

7 Things You Didn’t Know Your Shaker Bottle Could Do

/in

Shake Things Up With Your Shaker Bottle! 7 Things You Didn’t Know Your Shaker Bottle Could Do

There are many who swear that the invention of the protein shaker bottle is one of the greatest things since sliced bread. But throwing down top dollar for a bottle that seems to only serve one purpose doesn’t seem that useful, right?

What if we told you that breaking up protein powder is only ONE of the things that your shaker bottle can do? If you haven’t invested in a shaker bottle, check out a variety of things they can do to benefit more than just your pre/post workout protein!

Water

It may seem obvious, but many don’t realize that your protein shaker bottle can double as your water bottle! Shaker bottles come in a variety of sizes, but a typical size is roughly 20 ounces. You’ll be able to keep track of how much water you’re drinking and make sure you’re reaching the recommended daily intake! (Roughly 64 ounces).

Pancakes

Making pancakes can get messy; the batter always manages to run down the outside of the bowl and picking up the heavy bowl to pour batter in the pan is just asking for a disaster. But with your shaker bottle, you can easily mix up the batter and pour it into the pan without a mess!

Coffee Drinks

Spending money on fun iced lattes is a thing of the past. With your shaker bottle (don’t forget the spring) you can just take a few cups of either chilled espresso or coffee and combine milk and any other flavors you like (sugar, cinnamon, chai mix, etc), shake, and boom! You just saved at least four dollars. Check out our recipe for coconut chai coffee!

Protein Shakes

Don’t forget the root of your shaker bottle’s purpose! If you haven’t given protein shakes a try, a shaker bottle is a perfect way to give them a go. The main differentiator for shaker bottles is that they come equipped with a mechanism to break up and properly blend ingredients together for a smooth shake every time! (Some even keep them cold)

Cocktails

Second to using it for actual protein shakes, what better way to utilize your shaker bottle than for creating fun cocktails? Not everyone has the space for a cocktail shaker, so throw your favorite ingredients into your shaker bottle with plenty of ice and enjoy! Added bonus: your drink is guaranteed to stay cold much longer if you use your shaker bottle as a glass.

Salad Dressings/Sauces

For those living by themselves, buying large bottles of dressings can be wasteful. Plus when you make your own dressings you can control the levels of salt and sugar, making it healthier for you! Any of your favorite dressing recipes that you can whip up with a bowl and a whisk you can throw in your shaker bottle and blend it up quickly and easily.

If you’re new to the homemade dressing game, check out these 8 healthy and easy recipes to try and home.

Fluffy Scrambled Eggs

Scrambled eggs can be tricky; over/under beat the eggs and you could end up with a flavor or texture problem. Who wants that? Shaking your eggs in your shaker will make them smoother resulting in a fluffier, more delicious plate of scrambled eggs!

 

For additional tips and tricks, including recipes and workouts, subscribe to our blog! Have a topic you’d like us to cover? Don’t hesitate to contact us!

 

How many protein shakes a day should you take?

/in

Getting enough protein in your diet can be hard. Protein shakes can help—but how many proteins shakes a day should you take?

For starters, you might not understand how much protein you actually need. You also might not know how to consume that much protein.

Thankfully, protein shakes can make achieving an adequate daily protein intake a lot easier. Drinking protein shakes can boost your ability to build muscle, lose fat, or both.

However, you might be wondering how much of a good thing is too much. How many proteins shakes a day will help you reach your fitness goals? Is there a limit to the amount of protein shakes you should drink in a day?

Keep reading to learn more. We’ll help you understand how to maximize your gains and conveniently whip up your own protein shakes.

Why Should I Worry About Protein?
Protein is crucial for everyone, as it plays a role in numerous important functions in the body. For those with specific fitness goals, protein is even more imperative. While adequate intake of healthy fats and carbs should not be tabled, protein has two key roles in aiding anyone’s fitness goals.

Adequate protein intake coupled with resistance exercises will not only prevent muscle loss, but it will also allow you to build bigger muscles. This isn’t only ideal for aesthetic and strength goals; the more muscle you have, the speedier your metabolism is, even outside your workouts.

Protein also aids in weight loss because it is the most satiating macronutrient. Additionally, you burn more calories digesting protein than you would for other macronutrients through the process of thermogenesis.

Why Should I Use Protein Shakes?
Protein shakes can be a very satisfying, efficient, and convenient way to add extra protein to your diet, without replacing the consumption of whole foods. With the right protein shake recipes—meaning ones that taste great and support healthy nutrition—you’ll soon reap the benefits of adequate protein intake.

From a simple concoction of banana, whey, and almond milk to our delectable double fudge brownie protein shake, there are endless options for packing flavor with your protein. Not only that but making your own shakes will allow you to control the calories and nutrients you consume. Simply add your ingredients of choice to a Kingline shaker bottle, drop in the mixer ball, and mix until smooth.

A protein shake is also a quick and convenient way to get your extra protein boost. Short on time in the mornings? Mix a quick shake and sip it on the way to work or school. Need a fast protein fix post-workout? Pack along with a protein shake in an insulated protein shaker—it will stay fresh and chilled until you’re done lifting and showering and are ready to drink. Try the Kingline shaker, with its leak-proof lid and clever carry handle.

So… How Many Protein Shakes a Day Should I Take?
To determine the amount of protein shakes you can drink each day, you need to know what your total daily protein intake should be. The Dietary Reference Intake report for macronutrients states that a sedentary adult should consume 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, or 0.36 grams per pound. This means the average sedentary male should eat about 56 grams of protein each day. For females, 46 grams is recommended.

Recommended General Protein Intake

However, your personal ideal protein intake will inevitably vary depending on multiple factors. These factors include your:

  • Gender
  • Age
  • Height
  • Weight
  • Fitness goals

If you’re reading our post, you’re most likely not a sedentary person—which means you’ll need more protein to meet your goals. Click here to find out the optimal range estimate of your protein intake.

How Much Protein Should I Eat If I’m Trying to Lose Weight?
Studies indicate that eating protein may boost your metabolic rate, increasing the number of calories you burn.

Further studies indicate that consuming 25-30 percent of total daily calories from protein can boost your metabolism by up to 80-100 calories per day. Protein also contributes to appetite reduction, helping you eat fewer overall calories, carbs, and non-essential fats.

If you’re looking to increase your protein intake to lose weight and hit that 30 percent of the total calories mark, simply multiply your total daily calories by 0.075 to get your goal number.

How Much Protein Should I Eat if I’m Trying to Gain Muscle
A common recommendation for those looking to pack on muscle is to consume 0.7-1g of protein per pound of body weight. In laymen’s terms, if you weigh 150 pounds you should consume 105-150 grams of protein each day to increase muscle mass.

If you are looking to hit a new goal weight, a similar recommendation holds true: eat 1 gram of protein per pound in relation to your goal weight. If you want to hit a weight of 180 pounds, look at consuming 180 grams of protein each day.

While these recommendations are common, numerous studies have tried to determine the optimal amount of protein for muscle gain, but with varying conclusions.

Recommended Protein Shake Intake
While some people might drink multiple proteins shakes in a day, others might only need one protein shake. Again, this depends on how much protein you want to supplement for your specific goals.

To get started, log your current daily protein intake, compare it to your recommended protein intake, and supplement accordingly. You should also make sure that at least 90 percent of your daily diet consists of whole foods, rather than processed foods and supplements (including protein powder).

Also, be sure to consider your calorie goals. Keep in mind the aforementioned weight-loss benefits of upping your protein for the sake of satiety and metabolic health.
If you’re trying to lean out, you’ll want to ensure that you’re not taking in excess calories through the addition of protein shakes in your nutrition plan. In the end, calories are calories. A caloric surplus will defeat the purpose of your diet, even if those calories come from excess protein intake.

Best Protein Shake Recipes
Ready to get creative in the kitchen? Then we have great news for you! Our Recipes page contains plenty of protein shake recipes that you can use to optimize your nutrition intake without sacrificing flavor. Here are a few you might enjoy:

Caramel Macchiato Protein Shake
Need a quick, caffeinated pick-me-up after waking up? This inviting concoction is exactly that! With a dash of delicious caramel and a good dose of caffeine, this recipe will give you the right workout boost in more ways than one.

Raspberry Colada Smoothie
This recipe is perfect after a particularly hot, sweaty session at the gym. It’s sweet, fruity, and just tart enough to refresh you for the rest of the day. A fruity smoothie like this provides plenty of flavor in your quest to build muscle.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Protein Shake
Your beloved after-school snack does not need to be a thing of the past. Even if you’ve already revived your love for the classic PB&J sandwich, who says you can’t give it a protein-packed spin? This simple-but-sweet recipe will definitely satisfy your nostalgic craving while providing more nutritional density.

Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Shake
Having fitness goals doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice every treat. In fact, this recipe proves that you can still satisfy your sweet tooth while minimizing your sugar consumption and maximizing your protein intake. A recipe like this is decadent enough to satisfy and packed with enough protein to give you adequate fuel for your workouts.

How Many Protein Shakes a Day Is Good for Health?
Determining how many proteins shakes a day is best for you depends on your goals and personal health profile. But whether you only need to incorporate one shake into your daily routine, or you’re better off with four, taking in enough protein is essential to your fitness endgame.

Either way, you’ll benefit from using a quality protein shaker for your shakes. That’s why we’ve created some of the best-selling, best-performing protein shakers on the market. If that sounds good to you, check out our entire Kingline shaker lineup to find the one that suits you best.