Can You Freeze Protein Shakes?

1/18/23 

Whether you prefer hitting the gym, going for a jog or hopping in the pool, your body needs protein to fuel your active lifestyle, build muscle and supercharge recovery. 

And, for the athlete constantly on the go, there’s no better way to get that needed energy boost and hit your macro targets than with a pre- or post-workout protein shake.  

Although preparing a single-serving protein shake is fast and easy, some individuals may want to save even more time by making larger batches and then freezing the protein shakes for later consumption. 

But can you freeze a protein shake without it going (or tasting) bad?  

Yes, you can. Here’s how. 

How Can You Freeze Protein Shakes? 

If you want to kick your meal prep into overdrive, freezing a protein shake is a smart place to start. Investing time in advance will ultimately lead to time savings in the future by ensuring that you always have a cold protein shake ready to grab and go the moment you need it.   

That said, if you want to ensure that your superfood protein powder freezes properly and is ready for consumption when you are, there are some tips you should keep in mind. Take a look at our step-by-step guide for freezing your protein shakes: 

Step #1: Grab a Blender

For a single-serving protein shake, all you need is a high-quality bottle shaker to properly mix up the liquid and protein into a delectable, ready-to-drink beverage. But for larger servings, you’ll need a bigger boat (shaker cup). 

Here, a conventional or immersion blender is the best tool for the task, allowing you to mix several shakes in one go. Using these high-power mixers will ensure that you have a consistent texture free of protein clumps, which helps the liquid to freeze — and eventually thaw — properly. 

Step #2: Make Your Protein Shake 

Whether you’re making your favorite smoothie bowlrecipe for one or a dozen shakes, you need the right ratio of liquid to protein. To find the optimal proportions, be sure to do the math by multiplying the number of scoops of protein powder by the recommended liquid content. 

While many shakes can be consumed as is, there are additional ingredients you can add to the beverage to make it even tastier. For instance, you can: 

• Include fresh fruit like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, mango and pineapple
• Substitute a dairy, almond milk or any nut milk instead of water
• Add natural sweeteners like honey, agave or syrup
• Add ice for a thicker consistency   

Step #3: Batch Them Out  

After the blender has worked its magic, you’re ready to portion out the protein shakes into their individual containers. But, before you do, consider these tips: 

• Measure it out – A protein shake is designed to contain the necessary amounts of protein and nutrients you need to fuel your workout. Therefore, each portion should be the same. If you want the easiest way to ensure equal batches, simply use a set of identically sized containers.
• Use the right container – Only use containers and tight-fitting lids that are capable of being kept at frigid temperatures for months, such as glass or plastic. 
• Leave room – Remember, when liquid freezes, it expands. If you don’t save some space at the top of the container, the vessel could easily crack or burst, leaving a sticky, explosive mess in your freezer.  

Step #4: Label Your Shakes, then Freeze 

A frozen protein shake should keep for up to three months. After that point, it will likely start to break down or go bad. 

To avoid this, grab some tape and label your containers with the date you made the batch. This labeling system will ensure you know the shake’s expiry date. 

Once you’ve done that, throw your batch into the freezer, then consume at your leisure. 

Step #5a: Thaw Properly

When you’re ready to drink your protein shake, do not fast-thaw it. Simply leaving it out or putting it in the microwave will result in an unpalatable disaster. 

Instead, transfer the frozen drink to the fridge the night before. During the night, the shake will thaw out, yet remain cold. 

Before you drink the shake, give it a good stir so that the consistency is smooth. 

Step #5b: Eat as Ice-Cream 

If you don’t want to thaw out your shakes, you could turn them into a high-protein ice cream. By adding a few grams of xanthan gum to the original mix and then freezing, you’ll have a delicious treat packed with essential macronutrients. 

Not to mention, you can make it even tastier by adding garnishes like fruit, granola or honey.  

Can You Re-Freeze a Protein Shake?

Let’s say you took your protein shake out of the freezer for thawing and then forgot to drink it or decided you didn’t want it anymore. Can you re-freeze it? 

Technically, yes — even after defrosting, you can re-freeze a protein shake. However, there is a chance that its taste, consistency and nutritional value may be slightly diminished as a result.

That said, if your shake reached room temperature and sat there for a while, there’s a possibility of the growth of microorganisms. In that case, it’s probably safer for your health to throw the drink away. 

How Long Will a Frozen Protein Shake Last? 

So, how long does protein powder last? That will depend on the ingredients of the powder. As mentioned, the conventional wisdom is that a protein shake can be frozen for up to three months without any negative effects. However, the specific expiry date will depend on the types of protein powder you use and other ingredients in the shake. 

Before you try freezing yours, see whether the shake brand has any information on its website about best practices for storage and refrigeration. 

What’s In a Protein Shake? 

Naturally, the contents of a protein shake will vary from one brand to another. At the very least, it should contain a high-quality source of protein powder, such as:  

• Casein
• Egg
• Pea
• Rice
• Soy
• Whey

Although these proteins may share similar properties, their nutritional profiles can differ greatly. You should select a protein that matches your fitness goals. 

For example, whey protein tends to be a low-cost, fast-acting protein that’s ideal for muscle growth and recovery. Casein, on the other hand, is a slow-digesting protein that’s better when used for weight loss and blood sugar management.

But if you want a total meal-replacement shake, simply having protein won’t suffice. The bestmeal protein shakes will also include other essential nutrients and ingredients that can support an active lifestyle. 

At INVIGOR8, our Superfood Shake is made with 8 nutritional complexes, which include: 

• Total protein complex – 20g of premium grass-fed whey protein.
• Prebiotic-fiber complex – 3g of chicory root extract.
• Green veggie complex – 2.5g of chlorella algae, alfalfa grass, fresh or frozen spinach leaf, kale leaf and broccoli head.
• Essential fatty acid complex – 2g of flaxseed, chia seed and coconut.
• Digestive enzyme complex – 653mg of amylase, lactase, neutral protease, lipase, bromelain and papain.
• Immunity support complex – 500mg of bovine colostrum.
• Cognitive complex – 200 mg of l-theanine and bacopa monnieri.
• Probiotic complex – 1.2 billion lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium bifidum. 

Plus, our shakes can be easily frozen and then consumed at a later date without losing their incredible taste or nutritional punch.  

Is It Better to Drink a Protein Shake Before or After a Workout? 

The answer to this question depends on your activity levels and fitness goals. 

In the past, most dietitians believed that the optimal time for a protein shake was immediately after an individual engaged in strenuous activity. At the time, they thought the anabolic window of opportunity — the period when muscles are in their most protein-absorbent state — was limited to the thirty minutes immediately following exercise.  

By drinking a post-workout protein shake, you could: 

• Build lean muscle
• Recover faster
• Reduce inflammation
• Feel more satiated

However, in recent years, researchers have discovered that the anabolic window of opportunity is much wider than previously thought. Now, it appears to extend to a 5–6 hour window leading up to and following a workout. As Men’s Health notes: 

“The reality is that the window is not as fleeting as once believed. Indeed, research suggests that it lasts anywhere from four to six hours. That means that as long as you consume a high protein meal within a couple of hours on either side of a workout, your muscles will likely have all of the nutrients they need to adapt and grow.”

This means that by taking a pre-workout protein shake, you may enjoy the following health benefits: 

• Increased muscle growth
• Enhanced protein synthesis
• Improved muscle adaptation 
• Energy boost 

Science also suggests that there may be a carryover effect that helps you workout harder, build more muscle and recover faster. 

Freeze Your INVIGOR8 Protein Shakes

Freezing your protein shake is a convenient method for making larger batches and avoiding daily clean-up. And, by following the tips above, you can ensure that your shakes keep until you’re ready to consume them or add them to your smoothie recipes. 

If you’re searching for the best protein shake for your health, wellness and vitality routine, you’ve come to the right place. 

At INVIGOR8, our total meal-replacement shakes are precisely designed to provide active individuals with the essential nutrients they need to function at optimal levels. Our delicious, All-In-One Superfood Shake can help you build lean muscle, control hunger, reduce body fat, support immunity and promote overall health.

Want to stay in shape and hit your goals? Try INVIGOR8 today. 

Sources:

MedlinePlus. What Are Proteins and What Do They Do?

Men’s Health. The Anabolic Window Is a Myth. Here's What You Actually Need to Do to Gain Muscle.