14 Easy And Surprising Ways That You Can Use Whey In Your Daily Routine

When I think of whey, I initially think of bodybuilders using it as a powdered protein to help gain muscle. And while this isn’t entirely wrong, it should be known that whey isn’t originally a powder.

Whey is actually that watery portion of milk that remains after it’s been curdled and strained to make cheese. Here comes the appeal: it’s packed with proteins, enzymes, vitamins and minerals.

So understandably, whey protein is a valuable possession for those at the gym trying to get buff. What you may not know, however, is how many beneficial uses whey has around the house. From ricotta cheese to hair conditioner, here are 14 “wheys” to use whey around the house.

1. Water Plants

The nutrients in whey (sweet, NOT acid) can be used to water your plants as a fertilizer supplement that can actually improve soil conditions in certain plants.

2. Make Healthy, Natural Lemonade

Make your lemonade from scratch (as in, actually juicing the lemons) and enjoy a healthy alternative to just pouring pre-made lemonade packets into pitchers and adding water.

3. Create Homemade Face Masks

Acidic whey contains lactic acid, an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) found in many types of beauty products. This honey and whey face mask seems promising.

4. Add To A Smoothie

For a delicious smoothie, opt for a scoop of whey as protein powder to give your smoothie an extra healthy kick.

5. Make Ricotta Cheese

This recipe gives step-by-step instructions on how to make ricotta cheese using leftover whey.

6. Use It As A Water Substitute

Whey can be used as a substitute for water in many different baked good recipes. It will result in softer, more tender crumbs, so use this to your advantage with foods such as muffins or biscuits.

7. Feed Your Animals

Animals such as dogs can also benefit from whey, as it is a good source of protein. Most of the lactose of the whey will be removed, which may help in not upsetting their stomachs. If you do feed your animals whey, we recommend checking with your vet first. If approved, start in small increments and watch them closely to make sure they don’t get an upset tummy.

8. Make A Homemade Salad Dressing

This recipe for a fermented vegetable dressing blends your favorite vegetables along with the protein of whey for a hearty salad dressing.

9. As An Ingredient in Soups

This blog features five different recipes that highlight using whey in soups. From gumbo to cabbage soup, whey can be used in every type of soup to give it a healthy kick.

10. To Cleanse Your Hair

Put some whey into a spray bottle, spray it on your wet hair, and style it as usual. The whey can add texture and body to your hair, and won’t weigh it down like other hair products.

11. Make Ginger Ale Remedy

This simple, four ingredient recipe for lacto-fermented ginger ale is great remedy for when you’re feeling blue. Plus, it’s the perfect healthy alternative to a sugary drink such as Sprite or Gatorade.

12. Make Some Pancakes

Pancakes are a great breakfast food, and creating them with whey will give your body a kickstart on protein. This recipe calls for mixing whey with baking soda, giving you pancakes that are lighter and healthier.

13. Use As A Conditioner

This blog suggests putting whey in your hair as a leave-in conditioner treatment for fifteen minutes before rinsing it out. The extra protein will do wonders for your hair.

14. Drink It Straight

Yes, you read that right. The lactose in whey is removed during the curating phase, making it easy to digest. Plus, whey is full of beneficial bacteria and protein that are nice and healthy. Don’t want to drink it alone? Mix it with a drink of your choice.

Photo by bert_m_b