Pump Up Your Protein Intake Today…..TeaTime Style!
We all know benefits of adding more protein into our diet. From building muscle to feeling full longer, animal or plant-based, everyone seems to be looking for ways to get more protein into their day. Although tea is not typically considered a source of protein, it’s surprising to see how drinking the right tea-based beverages can really increase your protein intake in a delicious and pleasurable way. With so many health benefits of drinking both matcha and chai tea varieties, let’s take a look at both through an important lens…..upgrading your daily protein intake while drinking tea!
A coffee latte is standard fare for every corner coffee shop (and some do serve tea lattes as well). A coffee latte has its own beneficial properties, but coffee latte’s tea-based cousin is a strong contender for health benefits as well as protein content. A matcha tea latte offers “perks” (excuse the pun) including the fact that green matcha tea itself is a superfood. Matcha is packed full of antioxidants, and can even help regulate your energy. Matcha is good for your teeth, being chock-full of chlorophyll. Some information shows that matcha calms the nerves and could even help with weight loss. Organic matcha latte mix is easy to prepare, has instructions for both hot and iced latte, and depending upon which milk you choose, the protein content will vary. Adding 8 oz whole cow’s milk will provide 8 grams of protein and makes a super-rich, satisfying latte. Keeping it plant-based? Unsweetened soy milk is the protein superstar in this category, coming in at 7 grams of protein. Still packing a protein punch, oat milk has 4 grams, and hemp has 3 grams. Take your pick and enjoy!
If you find yourself pressed for time in the morning and want to give your green drink a bump up in protein plus a kick of caffeine, try adding an organic Hemp+Matcha superfood blend into your green drink. Just scoop and blend! This plant-based protein mix provides energy from 6 grams of hemp protein, plus 2 gm of fiber. It’s a hero for convenience, as no milk is required. In summary….protein – check, fiber – check, omega-3+6 – check, quick, easy and plant-based – check, check and check.
Ahhhhh, Masala chai latte…..so exotic, warming and rich, so creamy and delicious. And just like a matcha tea latte, a chai latte is a superhero of health benefits. With its traditional blend of spices, it’s loaded with antioxidants, supports metabolism (without caffeine), and enhances nutrient absorption. DelighTeas Ayurvedic Masala Chai Blend provides immune support as well as digestive support and is like a ”hug in a mug”. Simply add ½ tsp of the mix to 8 oz of warm milk and stir well. The protein content is again based on your decision for which milk suits you, from cow’s milk (8 grams), any of the plant-based milks outlined above, or try making your chai latte with delicious, rich coconut milk at 4.5 grams of protein. Although this USDA certified organic mix doesn’t need to be sweetened, instructions for blending the spice mix with milk and adding a medjool date makes for a luxe chai latte. Check out the last section of our All Things Tea page for more information on this amazingly satisfying protein Masala chai tea drink.
Want to keep it simple, quick, high-protein and still get your tea fix? How about blending up your regular morning protein shake drink with a special ingredient….tea? Instead of milk or water, simply substitute the same amount of tea, in any variety. Tea makes a great liquid base in any protein shake you make, giving it an extra dose of flavor as well as antioxidants. Tea can add a zing of caffeine or create a complimentary flavor profile. Is your morning smoothie choice a vanilla protein powder with banana or berries? Try adding a strawberry tea and enjoy the depth of berry flavor the tea develops in your shake. Love chocolate protein smoothies? Add peppermint tea to your smoothie for an energizing blend to put pep in your step. If you start your day with a strawberry protein shake, rich French vanilla tea will give it an exotic flavor. Even if you drink a churro caramel swirl vegan protein shake (yes, it’s a thing), there’s a case to be made for enhancing the caramel flavor by adding vanilla caramel black tea for a unique blend of your own. The flavor choices are as endless are there are varieties of tea and you own preferences and imagination.
If you’re like us and you sometimes have leftover tea in your teapot at the end of the day, you can always pour it into a mug and keep it overnight in the fridge. In the morning, just substitute your tea as the liquid base of any protein shake flavor. Tasty and fun, just make it your own.
So skip the coffee shop, and make these great tea-based protein drinks at home or work for a nutritious breakfast or a quick and healthy morning or afternoon snack. It’s a tea-tastic way to get more protein (and tea) into your life! Bon appétit.