Can You Mix Whey Protein With Apple Juice?

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Key Takeaway

• Mixing whey and apple juice is great around a workout, as the carbs provide energy and assist with recovery.

• However, apple juice adds calories without keeping you full. Therefore, it’s better for those who struggle to eat enough (bulking phase), not for those losing body fat (cutting phase).

This article is part of our series on What Can You Mix With Whey Protein (13 Examples)

Benefits of Mixing Whey Protein With Apple Juice 

The benefits of mixing whey protein with apple juice are:

1. It Provides Additional Carbs Beneficial Around a Workout

Apple juice is high in carbohydrates and sugar, which provides extra energy and aids in recovery when consumed around your workout.

Carbs are key to a workout as they provide a quick energy source and help replenish our energy stores, promoting recovery.

If we mix our whey protein with water, we miss out on these additional benefits.

It’s important to remember that the carbs in apple juice won’t replace a meal, however, it is an easy and portable way to add carbs into your pre or post-workout shake. 

This is a great option for anyone working out in the morning, especially if you don’t find you’re hungry that early in the day. It can also be a great option to sip on during your workout for a bit of extra energy.

2. It Provides a More Palatable Option for Those That Don’t Like the Taste of Protein Powder

Apple juice can be easily mixed with unflavoured protein, helping to disguise that protein shake flavour that some may not enjoy. 

Anyone that’s had a protein shake knows it has a distinct flavour, while some people do enjoy it many do not.

If you are mixing whey with milk or water, you will find your shake is completely the flavour of the protein powder.

However, apple juice has a flavor that easily hides the protein taste.

In particular, if you use unflavoured protein powder, your shake will taste like apple juice.

This is the perfect option for anyone looking to add whey protein to their diet but cannot stomach the taste alone.

Drawbacks of Mixing Whey Protein With Apple Juice

The drawback of mixing whey protein with apple juice is:

1. It Is Higher in Carbs and Sugar Compared to Water

Apple juice has carbs and sugar, meaning you are adding extra calories to your protein shake that aren’t likely to fill you up.

Per cup, apple juice has 117 calories and 29g of carbohydrates, all from sugar.

Sugar is the quickest form of energy for our body, so after drinking a glass of apple juice you are likely to get a burst of energy. However, that energy will only last 1-1.5 hours after which you will feel a crash.

If you are trying to lose body fat, this is not a good way to use your calories. Instead, you want to focus on calories that will fill you up for much longer.

However, if you are looking to gain muscle mass but are struggling to eat enough calories, this would be a great option.

Liquid calories, especially fast-digesting ones, will not impact your appetite throughout the rest of the day, which can help ensure you are eating a sufficient amount. 

When To Consume

Pre-Workout?

Whey protein and apple juice is a great choice before a workout.

The sugar in the apple juice will provide a quick burst of energy beneficial for your workout. 

Since apple juice is primarily sugar, drinking it 30-45 minutes before your workout is best.

This will ensure you are feeling that burst of energy during the start of your workout. It can also make for a great drink during your workout for some additional energy, especially during long sessions (2+ hours). 

Post-Workout?

Whey protein and apple juice are good post-workout as it provides the carbs and protein necessary for optimal recovery and muscle growth. 

Using apple juice is a great way to sneak some extra carbs into your post-workout shake, kicking off the recovery process even sooner than if you waited until you were home to consume a meal.

It’s also fat-free, meaning your body can quickly digest and utilize the carbs.

Now, it’s important to remember that apple juice won’t replace your post-workout meal, so make sure you consume it within an hour after finishing your workout. 

Who Should Mix Whey Protein with Apple Juice

Mixing apple juice with whey protein is a good choice for anyone bulking who is struggling to eat enough calories.

Adding whey protein and apple juice into your day will provide extra calories without impacting your hunger for your next meal. 

• Related: Can You Mix Whey Protein With Orange Juice?

Who SHOULD NOT Mix Whey Protein with Apple Juice

Mixing apple juice with protein powder is not a good choice for those trying to lose body fat since calories from the juice will not fill you up. 

When you are losing body fat you are eating fewer calories in a day than what you are burning which is likely to cause some hunger.

Focus on consuming protein and fat in your meal can help to mitigate this, keeping you full for longer after eating. 

Apple juice provides the opposite effect with all sugar and no protein or fat.

Your body will quickly use that energy and you will find yourself hungry quickly after eating.

This is likely to lead to additional snacking throughout the day which can quickly cause you to go over your daily calories. 

Overall, if you are trying to lose weight, there are better food choices that can be made instead of apple juice to keep you feeling full and satisfied.

Will Protein Powder Dissolve in Apple Juice

Yes, protein powder will dissolve in apple juice.

I recommend using one scoop of protein powder per 8oz of apple juice for the best results.

A blender or shaker bottle is also best, as it will keep your drink from getting clumpy. Mixing with just a spoon will likely not be effective. 

Best Protein Powder To Mix With Apple Juice

An unflavoured whey protein isolate is best mixed with apple juice as it is tasteless, dissolves best, and provides the best macros.

I recommend MyProtein Impact Whey Isolate for an unflavored protein option.