Protein powder is great because adding chicken breast or raw eggs to your smoothie would be, um, awful. But buying the stuff can be a long, confusing process.
First, there’s finding one that meets your nutritional needs. (I need one with THIS much protein but only THIS many calories!) Then, there’s making sure it doesn’t contain any sketchy additives. (Carrageenan? No thanks.) Oh, and you have actually to like the way it tastes. Funky, chalk-like powders are out. (Protein powder isn’t just for smoothies.  Check out these nine creative ways to cook with the stuff.)
Of course, you could spend hours researching and taste-testing different powders, dropping tons of cash in the process. Or, you could just make your own. Yes, really! Chances are, homemade protein powder has never even crossed your mind. But you probably have most of the ingredients on-hand already—like hemp and chia seeds, almond meal, nonfat dry milk powder, or rolled oats. And it’s crazy easy to make—all you have to do is grind or process the ingredients until smooth, mix to combine, and store them in a jar. (Repeat after us: No more dieting. 
Best of all, there’s a recipe out there no matter what your dietary preferences. Here’s how to make plant-based, dairy-based, and mind-blowing green protein powder.