Can you premix protein shakes

The nine essential amino acids come together in all sorts of combinations to create and strengthen the cells that make up your bones, blood vessels and organs, including your skin.

The cells in your hair, skin and nails are constantly being sloughed off and replaced, and protein plays a major part in this. It is also needed to repair and build muscle tissue.

Amino acids combine to form the immunoproteins that fight off infection and keep you healthy, the enzymes that help you do things like digest foods, and some types of hormones. Protein can be found in many foods and also in the form of the protein powders you use to make protein shakes. Protein powders come in three basic forms. They can be made from whey, casein or soy. Whey is milk-based, fast-digesting and dissolves easily in water. Casein is also milk-based, but it is a slow-digesting protein.

Soy is made from soybeans; while it is a good choice for vegetarians and vegans, it has a stronger flavor and does not dissolve quite as easily as whey or casein powders. This is why fresh fruit goes bad far more quickly than canned fruit. Canned fruit is sealed in a container while fresh fruit is out in the open. People have jokingly commented about how foods like avocados are fresh for a ridiculously short period of time. There is still some air getting in so the ingredients will break down slightly.

Again, a few days are no issue but beyond that the quality will suffer. While there are no limits to the type of protein you can mix overnight, some will work better than others. This is especially true of whey isolate and hydrolyzed whey, which mix into a very thin consistency. These whey protein sources are typically more expensive since they are technically of higher quality. Casein protein is the thickest protein in terms of mixability. If left in the refrigerator overnight, it may sit like a stone in your shaker bottle.

You may have to add liquid which honestly never works since it just layers on top in an attempt to get it moving. Vegan protein can mix very thick as well, especially when other ingredients like peanut butter or a banana are added. Using milk or even almond milk as the base will lead to a thicker consistency than just water.

There are several ways you can store your shakes safely. You can make shakes in the morning and refrigerate them in an airtight container during the day. Shake the container before you open it or stir the contents vigorously after you open it in case the contents have separated. Immediately after preparing your shake, store it in a chilled insulated container.

Insulated containers will keep your shake cold for up to 12 hours, although the precise time depends on the specific manufacturer and model. Shake vigorously before opening to make sure ingredients are fully blended. Use a food thermometer to take the temperature of your shake before drinking. Cold shakes should be below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you don't have access to an insulated container or refrigerator, you can pack and non-perishable ingredients and a shaker or blender bottle in the morning and mix your shake in the afternoon.