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Protein Pudding, Protein Pancakes, Protein Anything!

Protein Pudding, Protein Pancakes, Protein Anything (Well, Almost)!

I have become increasingly annoyed with the whole “high protein” pre-packaged food industry. I’m just not sure who I am annoyed with: The companies who manufacture them, or the people who are buying them.

Let me be more specific. Recently, I saw high protein pudding mix and high protein pancake mixes. The costs were, in my opinion, outrageous. For instance: One company sells 12 packages of protein pudding mix for $25.00 (plus shipping, which is minimally $5.99), for a grand total .of $36.00 (or $3.00 per serving). Each package makes one serving, and there are 25 grams of total protein per package.

I use the sugar free, fat-free Jello brand instant pudding mix with non-fat milk. I enhance it with one scoop of the protein powder that I use (basically a lower calorie, lower carbohydrate product). I pay .99 for the pudding mix, about .50 for the milk, and .25 for the scoop of protein that I add. My grand financial total is: $1.75 for 4 servings, or about .43 per serving. Each serving of pudding has about 9 grams of protein. If I need more protein, I can eat twice the amount of finished product. It still makes my cost less than a dollar for the same amount of protein pudding.

Now let’s look at protein pancakes. Without giving you a lot of simple mathematical equations, let me just cut to the chase. For less than $2.00 for about eight large servings, I buy the store brand of buttermilk pancake mix. I add a scoop of protein powder (to each batch I make) and a pinch of baking powder (to help them rise with the addition of the protein powder). I also add vanilla extract and a lot of cinnamon because I LOVE those flavors, but you can omit those ingredients or add the ones you choose. You can Google protein pancake mixes and you will be able to see the prices being charged.

Here’s the point….Buyer beware. If you are buying high-protein items that are going to be any type of batter, dough or liquid, think before you buy. Chances are, you can enhance regular recipes with the addition of your own protein powders and some baking soda (if the product needs to rise). This probably goes without saying, but…..Be sure to find an unflavored powder if you don’t want flavored end-products. There are plenty on the market for you to choose from. As for pancakes and puddings, I use vanilla flavor and it is delicious!

Have fun with this concept, and hopefully you will be able to make some cost-wise choices in your high-protein purchases.

Have a Healthy Weekend,

Shereen Rios BAS, CPT for Focus and Form Fitness