YUCKY Reaction to Protein Bars/Powders

Hi it's Ms. Kitty, one of the pre-ops. I took the advice of the PMRI nutritionist and I am trying out several of the bars and shakes prior to surgery (to find out what ones I like before I need it!) I've pretty much stuck to the ones listed in the nutrition class textbook, BUUUUUUTTTTT here's my problem.... I am getting sick from most of them! Since I'm pre-surgery, I never experienced dumping but it sounds like dumping -- I get dizzy, start to sweat, my stomach hurts, my intestines flip/flop...so on... Most of them taste sickeningly sweet to me. I take one bite, "decide it's the sweetest thing I ever tasted" even to the point of having to brush my teeth and rinse several times to get rid of the sweet taste. Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas on what to do? Is there a way to get around this? THANKS A BUNCH!

I haven't really had an issue with anything being too sweet like you describe but I would look for products that say no sugar added. Also, the artificial sweetners may be too "sweet" tasting for you if you are not used to them. I like mine to be sweet and that's why the vitamin shoppe chocolate was my best friend - sweetened with splenda. As far as the bars go - I honestly never found them to be a great realiable source of protein anyway. But there is a wafer type of one at the vitamin shoppe that was decent. Trader Joe's chocolate is one that I thought was on the bitter side *Just me - some love it* so that might be one that you will like. The Vitamin shoppe & carb busters also have Coolers & sell cold clear protein drinks like Isopure and protein ice. Finally - when you do find something you like - don't buy too much of it because many of us find that our tastes change not long after surgery and what you used to like may no longer appeal to you.

Hey Kathy, Thanks for the advice. You are probably right about my adversion to sweetners. I don't know why I didn't think of that sooner... I'm a big fan of coffee drinks (and coffee in general) and since I am pre-op I can say I try those GM International Coffees, Latte Mixes from time to time. I know their main ingredient is sugar. I cannot even imagine anyone liking them -- they are too too sweet! There is no way I ever could put ANY or MORE sugar in drinks like that but I see others adding sugar, or splenda or sweet and low...OK, I'm off the point I guess I'll stick to no sugar added varieties. I do like the sugar free syrups so maybe I'll adapt some of the recipes others have shared with us -- start with a clear protein powder and skip the splenda...