The Best Fall Protein Drinks for Colder Months

Fall is upon us. The air is crisp, and sweaters are on. Getting enough protein during the fall months can be extra challenging as the weather shifts and comfort foods creep in. Today, we’re diving into fun ways to create fall protein drinks to warm your insides and help you meet your protein goals.

Benefits of Protein During Fall

Immune Support: Fall is the beginning of cold and flu season. Keeping a strong immune system is crucial for staying healthy. We need enough protein in our diets to support immune cells, antibodies, and enzymes that help us fight off infection.

Muscle Maintenance: As the weather gets colder,  outdoor activities tend to decrease for many of us. To help us maintain muscle mass, we must eat. Without adequate protein, our bodies will start breaking down muscle.

Energy Balance: As the holidays approach, our to-do list grows, and we need ample energy to keep us going. Protein helps keep our blood sugars balanced. High-carb meals without protein may lead to energy crashes and brain fog. Keep your energy going by including protein at every snack and meal. 

Boosts Metabolism: It is well-known that pounds tend to creep on us during the fall months due to less activity and increased sweets. Eating protein requires more energy for our bodies to break down, resulting in an increase in our metabolism. Including protein in each meal and snack will help boost your metabolism over the winter months.

Blood Sugar Balance: With the abundance of high carbohydrate fall harvest foods like apples, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes, it’s crucial to balance carbs with protein to help balance blood sugars. Protein slows down carbohydrates' absorption, helping us prevent rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar.

Satiety: Fall time and the holidays tend to bring us cravings for comfort food, which typically comes with high calories. Including protein at each meal will help decrease hunger hormones, help you feel more satisfied off of meals, and reduce cravings.

Protein requirements can vary from person to person based on factors like age, gender, activity level, and overall health. It's important to have a balanced diet that includes a variety of protein sources, such as lean meats, poultry, fish, dairy products, legumes, Designer Whey, Designer Collagen, Women’s Aria, Protein Smoothies, Designer Egg, and plant-based options like tofu, tempeh Designer Soy, and Designer Plant, to meet your individual needs and stay healthy throughout the fall season and beyond.

Here are six warm protein drink recipes that are perfect for the fall season:

• Pumpkin Spice Protein Latte

• Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

• 1 scoop Designer Egg, vanilla protein powder

• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree

• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 tsp maple syrup (optional)

• Instructions:

• In a saucepan, heat the almond milk until hot but not boiling.

• Combine the hot almond milk, Designer Egg protein powder, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract in a blender.

• Blend until smooth and creamy.

• Taste and add sweetener if desired.

• Pour into a mug and sprinkle with extra pumpkin pie spice for garnish.

• Chai Tea Protein Latte

• Ingredients:

• 1 cup brewed chai tea

• 1 scoop Designer Whey vanilla protein powder

• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

• Instructions:

• Brew a cup of chai tea and let it cool slightly.

• Combine the brewed chai tea, Designer Whey vanilla protein powder, almond milk, cinnamon, and cardamom in a blender.

• Blend until well mixed.

• Pour into a mug and sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon for garnish.

• Hot Chocolate Protein Shake

• Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

• 1 scoop Designer Plant chocolate protein powder

• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1-2 teaspoons sweetener of choice (optional)

• Instructions:

• In a saucepan, heat the almond milk until hot but not boiling.

• Combine the hot almond milk, Designer Plant chocolate protein powder, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract in a blender.

• Blend until smooth and creamy.

• Taste and add sweetener if desired.

• Pour into a mug and top with a dollop of whipped cream (optional).

• Apple Cinnamon Protein Hot Toddy

• Ingredients:

• 1 cup hot water

• 1 scoop Designer Collagen Unflavored powder 

• 1/2 apple, thinly sliced

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 1 tablespoon honey (optional)

• Instructions:

• Combine hot water, Designer Collagen Unflavored powder, apple slices, and a cinnamon stick in a mug.

• Stir until the protein powder is fully dissolved.

• Sweeten with honey if desired.

• Let it steep for a few minutes, then remove the cinnamon stick.

• Serve warm.

• Vanilla Almond Protein Cocoa

• Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

• 1 scoop vanilla Designer Soy protein powder

• 1 tablespoon almond butter

• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

• Sweetener of choice (optional)

• Instructions:

• In a saucepan, heat the almond milk until hot but not boiling.

• Combine the hot almond milk,  Designer Soy vanilla protein powder, almond butter, and cocoa powder in a blender.

• Blend until smooth and creamy.

• Taste and add sweetener if desired.

• Pour into a mug and sprinkle with crushed almonds for garnish.

• Gingerbread Protein Latte

• Ingredients:

• 1 cup brewed coffee

• 1 scoop Designer Collagen vanilla protein powder

• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• Sweetener of choice (optional)

• Instructions:

• Brew a cup of coffee.

• Combine the brewed coffee, vanilla Designer Collagen protein powder, ground ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a blender.

• Blend until well mixed.

• Taste and add sweetener if desired.

• Pour into a mug and sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon for garnish.