Protein Shakes for a Healthy Liver

There is something glorious about vegetable juice and protein shakes for a healthy liver. Some of you think that if you can’t chew it, it’s not food.  Its easy and oh so scrumptious to make shakes and you’ll be putting all kinds of blends together before you know it! Let’s take a gander at which one fits best in your lifestyle – and your budget.

Many of you are blending protein shakes that are healthy on your liver these days. It the THE number one way of getting protein when you’re sick. I’ll share my basic recipe, but also cool to jazz it up with something different from time to time.

My Best Protein Shakers for a Healthy Liver

Kitchen Blender

This is the old fashioned kind. I have a generic brand that seems to take a lot of stirring to get the fruit off of the bottom.

Plastic Shaker Cup –  I also use the shaker type plastic cup that you get at the health food store with the metal ball mixer. Sometimes you can get one free with a protein powder promo. They’re great for travel, heading out to the doctor, or work. 

Immersible – I got an immersable blender as a Valentine gift and took it as a sign of a serious commitment. He thought we should have matching blenders after 3 months? It was a smart move on his part. I thought about him every morning while shaking up my breakfast! Great for frozen fruit, and also you get the added bonus of being able to use it for making hummus or pureeing soup!

Bullet – Now I have a personal blender. It makes me feel like I’m at a smoothie shop. You feel like you should call your doctor just to brag on yourself for ordering it. I had planned on buying a Nutribullet. The Ninja was on sale right after they found the liver tumor, so I grabbed one and I love that little hummer.  It’s easy to travel with! Plan on spending about $100.00 plus or minus. It is quite an investment, and I would say well worth saving up for.

Basic Shaking

The combinations are endless! Simply pour about a cup of almond or rice milk in and then add a cup of water. From here, you can build your own smoothie. I hit 3 places when making mine: Fridge, Freezer, Cabinet. 

1. The fridge for milk and cold water. A tablespoon of flax seed meal or chia is optional. 
2. The freezer for 1 cup of fruit. I buy big bags of frozen fruit. Mixed or simply strawberries, it doesn’t matter. Right now I have a mix of papaya, pineapple, and mango. Most days, I top it off with a frozen banana that I break up. Bananas are so very sweet and full of leg cramp stopping minerals! The frozen part is crucial if you’re wanting the cold milkshake effect.
3. From the cabinet I add 1 scoop of about 17 grams of protein powder and I’m ready to rock and roll. The whole process takes about 5 minutes max and you’re drinking a delish protein shake for a healthy liver.

Helpful Tips

Tip: You can always use less milk and fill to the top with water. It’s less expensive and not quite as rich.

Tip: Remember, that if you are using the shaker type, the fruit won’t get blended. In that case, go for some apple juice if you want sweetener.

Tip: If you have liver damage and find yourself totally brain zoney after a shake, you may be getting TOO MUCH PROTEIN at a time. Even though it is plant based and easy on the liver, you can still get overload. I have reduced to 1/2 the daily after the TACE chemo for now. Otherwise I’m back in bed.

Next up, the Fun Recipes!

Recipes

Name that shake? One of the cool things about making up your own recipe is that you can name it! Here’s some of my personal recipes:

Barrel of Monkeys – Coconut milk, Water, coconut oil, protein powder, and bananas.

Antioxi Just Dance – Milk, water, flax or chia meal, fresh sprouts, protein, banana.

Tutti Fruiti – Milk, water, flax or chia meal, greens, protein, frozen fruit blend.

Hulk – Milk, water, flax or chia meal, greens, sprouts, protein, banana.

Royal Highness – Milk, water, protein, banana, nut butter, 1 Tbl. Cacao, 2 Tb honey, 1 Tbl coconut oil. (Do not drink standing in the kitchen. Go sit in YOUR chair and sip slowly with a straw)

Dragon Slayer – Milk, water, flax or chia meal, greens, sprouts, protein, banana, coconut oil, aloe juice.

In addition to my shake, I go for a straight up veggie juice a few days a week.  You have to have a juicer that extracts the liquid and leaves the pulp out. I’ve written about juicing (click here) 

On the Liver Transplant List

I can’t count on my brain being there every day due to hepatic encephalopathy. There are great moments of clarity, but I also lay in the bed and zone out more than I’m comfortable admitting. But it’s you and me together, and we’re winning the battle against liver disease. Whether it’s  caused by hepatitis c, NAFLD, NASH, or autoimmune. We’re using nutrition, some form of dancing, and a can-do attitude.

Here’s another blog about protein shakes for liver disease. 

I love you kiddos. We’ve got this. Karen:)

Protein Shakes for a Healthy Liver have kept me alive. Please be sure and let your doctor know what you’re eating, especially while on the transplant list!