For an athlete, integrating an adequate amount of protein in your diet is of paramount importance.
Often, the best way to do this is through natural, whole foods. Chicken, fish, steak, pork, and any variety of beans are packed with high levels of protein. Your body is best suited to absorbing protein from these sources.
However, not everyone can get the amount of protein they need from whole foods alone.
Someone who is extremely time-crunched, and has to squeeze workouts in between a full-time job might fall under this category.
And for these athletes, the option of protein bars or protein shakes is incredibly alluring. They are quick, easy methods of obtaining that protein influx and energy boost you so desperately need.
However, these products often include ingredients that are not the healthiest to consume. Finding healthy protein shakes and bars that are derived from whole foods and don’t contain artificial products or added sugar is no easy task.
And that search for the perfect protein powder can be eliminated by looking at the problem from a different angle.
If you were able to combine protein with another meal, not only do you eliminate the need for an expensive, gritty, overly-sweet protein shake, you also save time.
I’m talking about protein pancake mixes and here are the best three:
The best protein pancake or waffle mix out there is the Kodiak Cakes pancake mix. For a pack of three boxes, This amounts roughly to 33 servings.
The boxes the mix comes in are made of 100% recycled paper, which is a good nod to those environmentally conscious consumers among us.
This all-natural non-GMO high protein pancake contains 14 grams of protein per serving. If you use milk instead of water when making the pancakes, the protein content increases to 18 grams.
And if you toss an egg in the batter as well, the protein content increases once more, roughly to 21 grams of protein.
This puts the mix on par with the average protein shake, which contains between 20 and 30 grams of protein per serving.
The ingredients are simple, straightforward, and completely natural, containing 100% whole wheat and whole oat flour, in addition to dried milk and honey for sweetness.
This product has a high rating on Amazon, the majority of which are glowing. These protein pancakes are sure to bring up a sure of childhood memories, as their texture and flavor are perfect.
Plus, because the ingredients are few and simple, it becomes relatively easy for a kitchen-savvy consumer to spruce up the mix, adding cinnamon, vanilla extract, or any variety of spices or herbs.
This protein pancake mix contains 190 calories, 30 grams of carbs, 2 grams of fat, 3 grams of sugar, and 14 grams of protein.
It is a little high in calories and carbs, but this is not a bad thing, especially for breakfast – it provides a large quantity of much-needed energy so that you can function at your best throughout the day.
If you are trying to lose weight however, you should stay away from excess calories.
These protein pancakes are making products that are a modern application of traditional values and recipes. They are delicious and natural, and have that added benefit of that huge boost in protein.
You can get a 28 ounce, a 23-serving package of paleo-styled high protein pancake and waffle mix, which comes in at the second place in our ranking.
This grain-free, low-glycemic, low-carb, prebiotic pancake recipe contains only the simplest ingredients: cassava starch, organic coconut flour, almond flour, eggs, and leavening.
Cassava Starch is also known as Tapioca powder and is used here as a thickener. The recipe, like with all pancake recipes, is quite simple. Just add water!
If you want to increase your protein intake, use milk and an egg instead of water. Certain ingredients like olive oil, which is incredibly healthy, and other seasonings, flavorings, and spices, fit well into a pancake mix, as does almost any variety of fruit.
The Birch Benders pancake mix contains only 140 calories, 7 grams of fat, 1 gram of sugar (no added sugar), 16 grams of carbs, and 7 grams of protein per serving.
The protein levels are much lower than the Kodiak Cakes, but so is the caloric and carbohydrate content, making the Birch Benders pancake mix a healthier option for anyone trying to slim down.
Lauded in more than a thousand customer reviews, this highly-rated product is a delicious low-carb option for anyone, regardless of the kind of diet you might be on.
Last but not least, is the protein pancake mix from Bob’s Red Mill, a leader in the all-natural, down-to-earth granary.
You get four 14-ounce packages, which amounts to a total of roughly 36 servings. Unfortunately, Bob’s is on the more expensive side.
Bob’s Red Mill prides itself on using only the finest ingredients, and this product is no exception. Their recipe contains whole wheat flour, whey protein concentrate, sweet cream, cane sugar, and a variety of plant-based protein options.
This is the only option, of the three listed here, that contains whey protein, making Bob’s Red Mill potentially more suited for athletes.
The big drawback of Bob’s is the price. However, you’re still getting a decently large amount of servings. This includes 170 calories, 24 grams of carbs, 4 grams of sugar, and 15 grams of protein per serving.
It is high in calories, and higher in sugar, but it is also high protein.
Their few customer reviews praise Bob’s pancake mix as being delicious, perfectly textured protein pancake options.
These three options are organized by number, but in reality, the number doesn’t matter. What matters is which option are you best suited for?
If the price is not a concern, and if you are an avid athlete, perhaps Bob’s is your best option.
If the price is a concern, but you want to maintain high levels of protein, maybe look into Kodiak.
And if you’re just looking for the simplest, healthiest pancake mixes, and don’t particularly care about super loading on protein, then maybe your best option is the Birch Benders mix.
The point is that there are options. There are ways to increase your protein intake in a delicious, healthy way that allows you to avoid the additives, taste, and texture of the protein shake.
Article by:
Daniel DeMoss
I’m a personal trainer based in Denver (Matrix Gym) and a true fitness nerd. If I’m not training clients or working out at my home gym, I’m probably skiing, cycling or hiking with my dog Rufus.
Get in touch: daniel@dumbbellsreview.com
