Protein drinks

So, I have officially added protien shakes/ drinks to my daily intake. My surgeon's recommendation is not to take them initially because of the extra protein's effect on already taxed kidneys. Now that I am 4 months out I am going to go ahead and try to up my protein with them. Anyone have suggestions for making good protein shakes that taste better than package mixing instructions? I bought the 100% whey protein mixture in vanilla flavor and was wondering what I could add to it to help the taste.

Hi Lori - I've been using protein drinks from the beginning, but I use the ready made. I found that when I mixed them myself they were gross or too foamy/frothy to drink. I think that you can add anything you think will taste good - fruit ( if you can tolorate it), peanut butter, sugar free chocolate syrup, instant decaf coffee, ect..... I would think that if you used skim milk i/o water they would taste better as well. I use the ready to drink muscle milk light , eas advantage or myoplex lite and pour over ice. On rare occasions I choke down the protein bullets - I find that I can't stand the taste of them any more. Good luck with adding the protein I'm sure it can only increase your weightloss. Marta

Hi Lori I drink a protein shake everymorning for breakfast. I use the vanilla or chocolate flavor. I do use the calorie countdown milk with mine instead of water because I like the "creamy" texture instead. With vanilla, I have added fresh fruit or a teaspoon of sf instant pudding. With chocolate, I have added some instant decaf coffee, banana or peanut butter. Some people also use the sf davinci syrups. I mix mine up in my magic bullet...it makes it less "clumpy" rhonda

Morning Lori, I've found that for me, mixing about 1/2 cup of water, 1/2 cup of ice and whatever fruit or flavoring I'm adding in the blender until it's smooth and adding the protein at the last minute and just pulsing it until it's blended helps to avoid alot of the frothing that can happen. Hope this helps Michele

Hi Lori, I too have been drinking a protein drink a day since the beginning. I must say I am getting used to the flavor. I buy Unjury online. I use the chocolate. I put 5 ice cubes and 4 oz of Lactaid Fat Free ( I am lactose interolent ). I add 1 scoop of Unjury and mix in my Magic Bullet. I pulse it at first to break up the ice and then blend it until it is thick. I think it tastes like a McDonalds Thick Shake as it has that texture. ( or of a soft serve ice cream ). One of my friends adds banana slices or berries to hers . I don't like bananas anymore for some reason. Maybe later on. Have a good day. Roxanne

Hey Lori... I usually try to only use the bullets, but lately I have been trying to find a better protein shake as those little bullets cost a fortune after a while! Generally, if I use a chocolate flavored shake I will doctor it with peanut butter or extra unsweetened cocoa powder and some Splenda. If I use vanilla I may add cocoa/Splenda or frozen berries/Splenda. Either way I use non-fat milk instead of water and I add whole ice to chill it while I mix it. I just strain the ice out...sometimes I use a martini mixer, but if I use a blender I just pour the shake out and leave the ice behind. I have yet to experiment any further with additions such a banana or sf syrups, but I know a lot of people love using them. Good luck finding something that you like. I have some Matrix 5.0 Cookies and Creme on order that should get here today, so later I can let you know what that is like...MeltingMama raves about it in her blog!! ~Suz

I use a few different ones. The first one I got from my surgeon's office was Jim's Permalean. It was so good!!! I cannot get that one delivered here though. I also used the Muscle Milk light and that was super delicious and has tons of vitamins in addition to the protein but is pricey! The most recent one I bought from bariatriceating.com is the Matrix Chocolate...it is so light and breaks up so easy. Even if a little doesn't break up it's a like a chocolate melting in my mouth. All my shakes I make with 4 oz of non-fat milk and 4 oz of water. If I have time, although it takes just a couple minutes, I add ice and use the hand blender. If I'm in a rush I just add it to one of my thermal mugs with ice and shake it up. The Matrix comes in a 5 lb bag and is a really good price. I did also buy the Arctic Freeze from Whey Gourmet and blended with ice it takes pretty close to a frappuccino. I have not had but have purchased the Nectar Lemonade protein so I cannot yet attest to it's taste. I do also add some of the Any Whey tasteless protein to pudding, cream of wheat, soups or whatever else. I do still try to get my protein primarily from my food however I have one shake a day usually for breakfast and if I feel like I may not have got in enough I have a little of the Any Whey in something. I probably get about 23-40 grams of supplemental protein a day. I know there are so many choices out there! Let us know how you like the ones you try or if you try and new ones not listed! Take care, Adrianne

I tried so many different shakes and the best one I found was the a chocolate one made with egg white protein. I still had to blend it with ice and a banana to be able to tollerate it though! What worked better for me since I seem to have a major texture issue anymore, is that I take a 20 oz bottle of water, pour a little out, add one New Whey fruit punch bullet, and one "On The Go" packet of Crystal Light fruit punch mix. You can litterally not taste the protein supplement at all. It just tastes like flavored water. If you are brave enough to do carbonated beverages, I use sparkling water sometimes for an extra yummy kick.

Adrianne, Where do you purchase the Any Whey tasteless protein. I buy Unjury Unflavored to add to things and I like it but I think it is alot of $ for what you get 15 scoops ( 2 weeks worth ) for about $19.00. I buy 4 containers from there and pay about $79 a month. I don't mind spending the $ because I don't eat fast foods and junk like I used to so figure it all adds up. I am looking for other alternatives. Always willing to try something new. Thanks... Roxanne

Roxanne, I buy it from bariatriceating.com. It's 15.25 and it gives 30 servings. Last night I had a Swiss Mocha and added it to that, I couldn't even tell. So it was quite nice to sit down with my Mocha and still get another 17 grams of protein!! It does change the texture of some things but in drinks I can't tell a difference. Adrianne