How do you get your protein in?

Hey all! 10 days post-op and on full liquids...can't wait for the pureed stage. Anyway, I'm trying my best to get these 20 g protein shakes down several times a day and I can't. They all taste terrible. I've tried several brand of ready-made, several mix your own and I even bought the unflavored kind to add to my soups but nasty! My doc actually says not to worry much about protein until a few more weeks or so but the hair loss thing is frightening for me. So how are you getting your protein in??? Ana -14pounds

Hi Ana I hear ya on the protein shakes! I have only tried the Atkins chocolate and strawberry - but they are not easy to get down. When I do drink them I put them in the freezer for a bit first and let them get kind of slushy....it helps SOME! I have found something else that is better/easier for me to get down. It's called Isopure and has 40 grams of protein in each drink. You can buy it at Vitamin World, The Vitamin Shop and GNC. Be careful when choosing because they have some that have carbs - you want to look for the ones with zero carbs and it tells you on the front of the bottle. So far I have tried the grape **** a berry something (nasty), apple melon (good), and blue raspberry **** Go to naturesbest.com - put the www in front of course and you can see the different flavors and kinds. I want to try the other flavors before I buy a big cannister of it.....they sell the individual ones in glass bottles. Check it out! Caren

I have to concur with the Isopure - they are good! I've ordered samples from various places and for me, the ones that are more 'juicy' than thick are easier to tolerate. Advantage Edge drinks are pretty good, though even though they're more 'milky' or 'shake' like. I like Atkins Coffee flavored one although I've not been able to find it lately. I'm on pureed foods and have been since 4 days post-op and will be until July 4th (ugh) so I am with you on the having difficulty getting it in. Has your doc told you about fortifying your milk? If not, what you do is add 1 cup of non-fat milk powder (powdered milk) to 1 quart of skim milk and 1 cup gives you 18 grams of protein. I have used it to make pudding, etc. and even just drinking it. It doesn't change the taste of milk at all. Good luck to you! Michelle

Michelle, I did not know about fortifying the milk. I will have to try that - thanks! Caren

When I was on the full liquid stage, I would drink a slimfast strawberry low carb meal replacement (20 grams protein) mixed with non-fat milk powder (8 grams protein) and a bunch of ice. I made it into a smoothie, which helped it go down. I also used Carb Solutions (20 g) creamy vanilla with the milk powder and the ice for a different smoothie. I couldn't take the protein drinks and milk by themselves, because they got too thick. With the ice blended in, it makes it much more tasty. Of course it took me about 3 hours to drink it all, but it was worth it. I also used Broccoli Cheese soup (for lunch) with non-fat milk powder mixed in and blended. It tasted really good. even though I'm on the pureed diet now, I still use the soup! Hope that helps some! Take care! Ashleigh 251/242/140

Just keep trying different protein shakes. You can order samples from various sites like bariatriceating, vitalady, and valleynutrition - eventually you should find something tolerable! The protein taster pack from Susan Maria's site (bariatriceating) included Nectar in Lemon Iced Tea. I ordered a canister of the iced tea immediately and drink it about 75% of the time! Don't forget, you can mix fruit-flavored protein powders with Crystal Light to improve the flavor. I can drink the Nectar straight out of the shaker, but can only get through a chocolate one if I pour it into a 1.5oz shot glass. In small quantities you can't smell it as well, so it doesn't taste so protein-y. Being on full liquids has pretty much killed any desire for chocolate ever again. Have you tried the Isopure pre-mixed bottles? I wasn't wild about Isopure in powder form, but the bottled version seems to have a lighter flavor and looks like a proper beverage rather than paint. Expensive, though.

Ugh...I tried those Adkins things one time and nearly threw up, pre-surgery! There was no way I could use them post-op. I've been using NSA/CIB, but I'm also using the IsoPure powder, which has 50g of protein per 12 oz. shake. It means I have to put down 2, at most 3 shakes down per day, so long as one of them is an IsoPure. Also, LOOK ONLINE FOR THESE THINGS! GNC's prices are out of this world, and we found IsoPure online for half the price! http://www.advantagesupplements.com/isopure20pk.html is one place we found sample packs of Isopure powder. I've never tried the IsoPure drinks, so I can't comment on those.

I have been doing the Susan shakes recepies from her book, the Elvis is my favorite right now. I use soy milk in the basic shake recipie, and I had to work up to 2 scoops of powder. The Elvis gets me 57gm of carbs! That is a ton!!! Also I finally tried the cappucino pre-mixed protien drink I got off of Susan's website, 20 gm of protien and pretty tasty!! Good luck with your shakes guys, I am off to make mine now. Heidi

I'm new to this and am scheduled for the 31st. Where is the book from Susan about the shakes you are referring to? I'm checking out the protein drinks now so I'll be prepared post op. I'm a little nervous but am feeling so hopeful. It is hard to believe I won't feel hungry. Wish me luck Laura

Hi!! I am pre-op, surgery set for May 25, however at our recent support group they gave us some wonderful suggestions!! So I went to GNC and bought the ready to drink ISOPURE which has 40g protein, 160 calories, 0 carbs and 0 sugars.Kinda pricey at $3.50 a bottle, however the taste isnt bad! You can substitute the isopure for your cold water in your sugar-free jello...and not only have you had a meal..you are getting your protein as well! What you dont use in the jello...sip on throughout the day.Hope this helps Good Luck~Candi